Activities at Cubbington Mill Care Home

Residents Cheryl, Bob, Lily, Paddy, Pat, Hazel, Janet, Shirley and Moira enjoyed an afternoon of puppet play! The Pilgrim Puppet Group was started in Autumn 2006, by Sarah Sellars and Hazel Taylor. Their aim was — and still is — to take the Christian Message to as many folk as possible in a different way. Their puppets have been bought or “gifted” to them over the years. They come in many different shapes and sizes. From “people” characters, to animals and “cookie monsters”! They tell Bible stories and experiences in different ways. They try and do this with songs, interaction and fun. Over the years they have had 30 children who have been part of our group plus 10 adults, they have visited 38 different local Primary schools; 25 Care Homes; Rainbow-Guide Groups; Beaver Groups; Nurseries; Village Festivals, and many events, and celebrations. Some over 10 times! After the show residents explained how uplifting it was to be apart of something different.

All the residents and staff had fun for this year’ Pancake day/Shrove Tuesday. 2nd Chef, Yvette Cronin, said: “My secret to the best pancakes is all in the whipping. Give it some elbow grease when mixing the batter and you’ll get perfect pancakes every time. I like experimenting with the fillings – the residents’ favourites are ‘’good old fashioned lemon and sugar!” Don told us all “I absolutely love pancake day, it takes me back to my childhood when my mother used to make us all pancakes and we’d all wait in turn for ours hoping the batter would stretch to another.  We’ve had so much fun reminiscing and sharing our favourite recipes for fillings.”

Every Wednesday, Cubbington Mill care home in Leamington Spa opens its doors to local residents and neighbours to offer them a home-cooked meal in a bid to help tackle loneliness in their local community. The care home offers elderly people who might usually eat alone, the chance to join the residents and teams at the home on Wednesdays from 12:15pm for a hearty three course hot meal free of charge.  The initiative is called Don’t Dine Alone.

Local gent Norman, 94, has been coming along to Cubbington Mill every Wednesday for his midweek roast and a chance for a good old natter and a catch up and loving the opportunity until recently his driving licence was revoked and he could no longer get to the home.  Norman was devastated, as were the staff at the home!  When they heard of Norman’s plight, they couldn’t let his miss out!  Cue Activities Coordinator Rose Tucker and Customer Experience Champion, Laura Renalson, to the rescue!

Lily, Don, Chris & Henry along with Activity Coordinator Rose and Head House Keeper Julie had a fantastic time at the museum, where we were treated to a guided tour by Jackie, organised by Lucy. We all enjoyed looking around the museum artefacts learning about local history, before a coffee and piece of cake until it was time to come home again for lunch. At a residents meeting previously held in the home, residents expressed they would like to visit the local area and learn about Warwickshire’s heritage.

There’s one thing enjoyed by all our residents here at Cubbington mill for sure and that’s our love for music and singing! On Thursday afternoons from 4pm, Rose holds a memory choir session, for all the residents to enjoy singing along to old classics, which promote stimulating memories from when they were young, playing Elvis and Sinatra tapes! We tap our feet and sing to our hearts content shaking the tambourine and egg shakers for the whole home to hear.

The 7 domains of wellbeing are implement each day into our residents lives, this is just one example of ‘Meaning’. Residents have a sense of purpose being a part of a choir where each voice matters and is needed, residents make sure each other are on the correct page ready to sing promoting feeling useful.

Here at Cubbington we dedicate our Monday afternoons to promote the benefits of good health and wellbeing to all our residents. We got involved with Mick from G-fitness and his seated chair exercises 2 years ago, especially designed to improve and stimulate our residents physical health, as well as, mental wellbeing. During the session we explored a number of specially designed chair exercises, which are able to be enjoyed by all. Residents always take the time to thank Rose Cubbington Mills Activity Coordinator for the array of activities they have during the week!