Meet our Activities Coordinator, Kay Thompson

Hi, my name is Kay and I am the activities coordinator here at the Dales. I joined the team in June 2021 and I love spending time with the residents each day, delivering meaningful activities that keep our residents active and social stimulated, more importantly we have fun! Our life enrichment programme is varied and we have lots to do!

Before I joined the home I was a lecturer teaching young individuals with high needs, it is very different being an activities coordinator but it does help with understand how to ensure everyone is happy each and every day in everything that we do.

I look forward to meeting you when you visit our home.

Activities at the Dales

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.

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 The Dales Care Home

Dr Tim Howard discusses book

Residents across our homes had a lovely time joining Dr Tim Howard, 4th generation GP, whose whole life has been about patient care, for an exciting virtual event to discuss his novel ‘Let’s Kill All The Lawyers’.

The novel is a medical fiction thriller that explores the impact of life and death events, mistakes and forgiveness, and the impact of law and justice on the day- to-day lives of ordinary people doing their best in difficult circumstances.

Residents had the chance to ask their own questions once the discussion was over and a great time was had by all.

Virtual book event

Our residents across our homes had a lovely time joining Daniel Snowman, for an exciting virtual event to discuss his book ‘Just Passing Through’.

Author of over a dozen books, Daniel Snowman’s long and active life has led him to interact in countless ways with the wider world and with some of its most famous inhabitants. His memoir evokes these experiences via a series of vivid literary vignettes.

Our residents found the talk very intriguing and informative, and were happy to learn more about Daniel’s experiences around the world. A great time was had by all.

Virtual singing session

Our homes had a fantastic time with vocal coach Mark De-Lisser as he led an amazing virtual singing session for our residents to enjoy.

Our residents were able to learn different techniques as they sang the famous ‘I’m a Believer’ by The Monkees.

There were smiles and laugher all around. The session was such a success and was great for the mind, body and soul.

Royal Ascot day

We were all ready for the excitement of Ascot Ladies Day. We created some beautiful hats and head pieces ready for us to wear as we watched live coverage throughout the afternoon. We watched the races, played some games and had some lovely nibbles and drinks especially prepared by the homes hospitality team.

National cupcake day

Residents fully enjoyed our celebrations for National Cupcake day. There were lots of yummy different flavours for everyone to enjoy, especially made by our Head Chef, Patrick Bonus. They didn’t last long and we can’t wait till another cupcake day pops up!

'U sit U exercise'

Another great seat exercise with Mark and the stretch band. It blended in perfectly with the World Music Day as residents and staff were singing along to music playing while having a perfect exercise