Activities at Chester Court 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 Coordinator is 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.
Our aim is to make sure that our residents feel they had something to look forward to each day. We have a varied life enrichment programme, both in the home and in the community, and we always ask if there is anything different that residents would like to do. Residents and families approach our Activities Coordinator and comment on how much they enjoy what we do, so that we can continue to develop our programme to the benefit of our residents.
Lauren Corbett
Hi, my name is Lauren and I am the Activities Coordinator here at Chester Court. I joined the team in December 2020 and bring a wealth of enthusiasm to the role. I have just graduated from university in July 2020 and have previously completed work experience at another Barchester home. During this work experience I discovered how meaningful and important activities are for residents and how they can help enhance resident’s lives. Therefore, I decided to become an activities coordinator myself as I feel this is such a rewarding role.
I love working with our Residents here at the home and getting to know them and their families so that I can deliver and support in meaningful activities, keeping them socially stimulated and active as part of our extensive life enrichment calendar. The lifestyle and continued community links are also important.
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 Chester Court Care Home
Scottish Designs live event with V&A Dundee
We had a lovely time joining Becca Clark and James Wylie – members of V&A Dundee’s exhibitions team – as they took us on a virtual tour of the museum’s incredible Scottish Design Galleries.
We were introduced to the wide range of unique objects at the galleries from architecture and engineering, jewellery and textiles to theatre and their fascinating stories.
And we were able to learn more about the importance of all objects in telling the rich and varied history of Scottish design.
It was a lovely talk, enjoyed by all.
Paw'tastic time for residents
Staff and residents at Barchester’s Chester Court care home in Bedlington were delighted to welcome their new four legged friend, Raven into the home.
Residents had a brilliant time during their dog therapy session with Raven who is an 11 week old German Shepard. During the dog therapy session residents also spent time reminiscing about previous pets they had owned, in particular dogs.
Activities Co-ordinator, Lauren, said: “Our residents love animals and lots of them have owned dogs in the past so it was lovely to see their faces light up when they met Raven and to hear their stories about dogs they have owned in the past”.
Lavender picking
Residents spent time in the garden getting some fresh air and spent the afternoon picking lavender. Once the lavender was collected, residents helped tie it into bunches to hang in the shed to dry for a later activity in a few weeks’ time. This was also a great sensory experience, we had many comments on the lovely smell!
Virtual trip to Iceland
We took a wonderful virtual trip to Iceland and visited the SEA LIFE Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary to have an inside look into the daily care of their two resident beluga whales: Little White and Little Grey.
Our residents were introduced to the history of the Beluga Whale Sanctuary and learnt more about its mission to provide a more natural home for belugas in human care with a first-hand look at how the dedicated team are not only caring for the whales, but preparing for their future in the sea sanctuary!
It was an enjoyable event for everyone, learning more about the amazing beluga whales and how they are cared for at the sanctuary.
Resident enjoys creative art
One of our residents enjoys drawing and colouring as a regular activity. This is one of her latest drawings which she named “The wonky house on the hill”. Drawing and colouring can have many therapeutic benefits such as, helping relieve stress, improving memory and improving fine motor skills.
Home-made afternoon tea!
Residents at Chester Court helped make their own mini Afternoon Tea, residents made their own cheese savoury and egg mayonnaise sandwiches and iced and decorated their own cupcakes. Afterwards, residents enjoyed eating the afternoon tea they had made alongside some crisps and biscuits, all washed down with cups of tea and coffee. It was a wonderful afternoon which was thoroughly enjoyed.
