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
Mother's Day
Residents at Chester Court have had a lovely afternoon celebrating Mother’s Day with flower arranging followed by making their very own heart shaped chocolates with multi-coloured sprinkles. To mark the day they celebrated with special cakes and a choice of rose wine, white wine or non-alcoholic wine. Everyone had a brilliant day enjoying their special treats whilst reminiscing about their childhoods and talking about their own children.
Carer celebrates 15-years long service
A carer at Chester Court care home in Bedlington has received a prestigious 15-Year Service Award in celebration of working at Barchester Healthcare for 15 years.
Emma Thompson, now carer, started at Barchester in March 2006 and has worked with residents and their relatives to ensure that their needs have been met over the years.
Jane McFarlane, Employee Services Director at Barchester said: “I’m always pleased to hear stories about the long service of Barchester staff and am delighted Emma has achieved this milestone. It is dedication like this that ensures our residents are provided with a happy place to live.”
Home receive Age UK gift
Residents of Chester Court were delighted to receive a gift from their local Age UK Northumberland branch. The activities bundle contained puzzles from Sudoku, word ladders and searches – firm favourites with a number of residents! Also, included in this fun-filled activity pack were exercises, origami, poems and general fact leaflets and colouring in pens to complete the books. The residents are now busy enjoying their gift over cups of tea and delicious slices of home-made cake. Thank you Age UK Northumberland.
Home delighted as they receive 2nd vaccination
Staff and residents at Barchester’s Chester Court care home, in Bedlington, were delighted to be invited to have their 2nd vaccination at the home which has lifted everyone’s spirits after what has been a very challenging year for everyone.
General Manager, Sarah Kelly said: “Last year was a year like no other and the vaccine feels like the light at the end of the tunnel. Our teams have been magnificent in how they have risen to every challenge during this pandemic and we are proud to play our part in this next phase to ensure the most vulnerable are protected.”
Ann, staff member at Chester Court said: “I am so pleased to be given the vaccine. It will help to keep our residents safe, and is the first step in getting things back to normal and having a buzz of visitors in the home once again.”
National Bird Nest Box Week
Chester Court Care Home in Bedlington is marking National Nest Box Week by creating and installing nest boxes in their garden to help support the local bird population.
National Nest Box Week takes place each year from Feb 14-21 to encourage everyone to put up nest boxes in their local area to promote the conservation of our breeding birds and wildlife. Garden songbirds can struggle to find suitable nesting holes and cavities if there are a lack of mature trees in the area.
Staff and residents at Chester Court have been finding out about what materials to use to make a good nest box and what plants and shrubs make the best nesting materials.
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year approaching and the residents of Chester Court decided to complete a multi-coloured Dragon from card using their handprints. The end creation is beautiful and looks absolutely stunning taking pride of place on the wall. Well done to all of our residents especially Doris who is proudly showing off their talents
