Activities at Chacombe Park Care Home
We understand that the people we support have passions and interests that could be difficult to pursue after moving into a care home – but that doesn’t mean we don’t encourage them to try! Some hobbies can define a person, so our Activities Coordinators are dedicated to ensuring that everyone we support is able to do what makes them happy to the best of their abilities. Social events are organised with individual tastes in mind and with the idea that residents have the opportunity to try new and exciting things.
Heather Gooch
My name is Heather and I am the Head of Activities here at Chacombe Park. My role is to ensure that all residents are supported in enjoying hobbies and events that enrich their life.
I have a Bachelors degree in Theatre Performance, as well as a PGCE in Secondary Drama. I have previously worked for another Barchester home back in 2012 before working as a secondary school teacher, teaching Drama at both GCSE and A Level. I have a passion for person centred care, which has come from my love of pastoral work during my time as a teacher. I want each resident to feel appreciated and supported to enjoy the skills/hobbies that they have treasured before their time at Chacombe.
In my spare time I enjoy singing, cross stitch and learning new skills. I endeavour to bring these hobbies and passions into my role here at Chacombe, as well as learn some new skills from the vast range of knowledge that our residents can bring!
Read our brochure 'Life-enriching activities' for more information about life in our care homes.
Read our brochure
Activities and Events Partnerships
As part of our bespoke life-enrichment programmes, we host a number of live virtual events in the home on a regular basis through a number of partnerships with places of interest and world class performance companies
Life at Chacombe Park Care Home
A Little Bit of What You Fancy
The home organised a tour of the local town where residents once lived, revisiting all the places they used to go, from shops to pubs and parks. Reminiscing about fond memories of days gone by and how the town has since changed. Afterwards we stopped by McDonalds drive thru, a wish made by resident Mark. This was greatly enjoyed and tasted just how he remembered it.
Easter Time
We were delighted to have the local primary school join us for an Easter egg hunt in the garden, the residents buddied up with the children to help find all the hidden eggs and shared stories together, it was such a joy to hear the sounds of children playing. Easter festivities continued throughout the week with, Easter bonnet making, flower arranging, Easter services, and of course plenty of hot cross buns. Easter Sunday saw the Easter bunny and it’s helper who visited all the residents with chocolate treats to enjoy!
All Aboard
Residents had a wonderful day out riding on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire steam railway. The home took two minibuses filled with excited residents to ride on the steam train! The train travelled from Toddington to Cheltenham and then onto to Broadway, passing the wonderful sights of the rolling cotswolds. A picnic lunch was enjoyed along the journey, with delicious sandwiches, scones and strawberries and cream
Sensory Art Workshop
We have been creating wonderful flower displays recently at our craft club. Instead of traditional flower arranging, we created vases on cardboard before adding our flowers to them. Residents were able to choose from various bunches of flowers to create their displays, sharing fond memories and favourite flowers together.
Butterfly Farm
We had a lovely morning visiting the butterfly farm in Stratford-upon-Avon. Residents learnt about all the different species of butterflies there and where they are native to, and even managed to attract the butterflies to land on them. A fabulous time was had by all.
Cotswold Wildlife Park
We have had a fabulous day out exploring Cotswold Wildlife Park, seeing all the animals, having a wild walk with the lemurs from Madagascar and there was a new addition to the park, a baby rhino called Queenie.
We enjoyed a delicious picnic lunch and late afternoon ice creams in the glorious spring sunshine.
