Activities at Denmead Grange 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 won’t encourage them to try! Some hobbies can define a person, so our activities team 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.
Lisa Harris
Being Head of life Enrichment isn’t just a job, it’s a passion.
My time with the residents has and will always be an honour and pleasure.
Finding out their interests and hobbies, so I can tailor the weekly planner is such a great thing to do, as this means lots of chats over a good cuppa! But it also means that I can get to know them personally and get to understand a part of their past, so I can continue to help them experience their interests in this next phase of their lives.
A truly rewarding role, where I can be part of and contribute to something meaningful. All I hope for, is to make this journey for both the residents and their families, as restful, easy and enjoyable as possible. Then I know I’ve done my part.
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 Denmead Grange Care Home
Creativity at Denmead Grange
Here at Denmead Grange we are getting excited for the Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee and the residents have been creatively making decorations in preparation for our Jubilee party, we are all looking forward to celebrating the day with our families and friends and honouring such a magnificent reign by our Queen
Cheese and Wine
Our residents enjoyed a fantastic afternoon of Cheese and Wine. We prepared four platters of luxurious cheeses, including some of the well loved classics like Vintage Cheddar and Punchy Blue, and also some different types such as Cambonzola, a Creamy french style cheese with Blue running through the middle, that is now a new favourite for our residents.
Four types of wine were on offer and residents enjoyed every last drop. The Chile Sauvignon Blanc being the favorite. Norman, one of our residents said 'What a lovely afternoon, its been such a treat to have all these gorgeous cheeses. The wine is delicious too'
National Doughnut Day
There's nothing we like more at Denmead Grange than the opportunity to celebrate and we all love doughnuts so National Doughnut Day is extra special. To celebrate Lloyd, our Head of Life Enrichment, prepared 3 types of doughnut; Strawberry Jam, Custard and iced ring Doughnuts.
Residents were given a choice of a variety of velvety icings including a lemon drizzle, along with an array of sprinkles to top them off.
Our resident's had a vote and our favourite flavour was Jam! Did you know, the first jam doughnut was invented in Germany in the late 15th century, and by the 1800s it was commonly called a Berliner – the jam doughnut is still called this in Germany today.
Easter Celebrations
We celebrated Easter weekend to the max, enjoying different activities and events that went on around the home! From an Easter Quiz, Hot Cross Bun Tasting, Easter Decorating, Live Catholic Masses and Easter Bunny visits; we've had a cracking weekend!
Have a look through our selection of photos, you'll see Ruth and Carol decorating out Easter tree. You'll also see the Easter Bunny, who came to visit on Easter Sunday, delivering everybody a delicious chocolate Easter egg! Our residents enjoyed the Hot Cross Bun tasting session, they couldn't believe how many different flavours of bun there could be (the ultimate favourite was the Bramley Apple Bun).
Making dreams come true
Resident, Cathy Kennealy, at Denmead Grange used to work at a local holiday camp Sinah Warren on Hayling Island and loved her job there, and ever since coming to Denmead Grange she has helped our Head of Life Enrichment, Lloyd, in setting up activities for the residents.
With all the hard work Cathy does, the staff at the home wanted to recognise her involvement and Cathy is now our honorary activities assistant.
Cathy has lived at at Denmead Grange Care Home since December 2020 and is beloved by staff and residents alike. Staff at the home are delighted to be a part of making Cathy’s dream come true, as they knew how much it means to her, and they all love to see the smile on Cathy’s face that recognising her efforts has produced.
Staff first found out about Cathy’s past at Sinah Warren when she came to us in 2020, and ever since then they have been dedicated to helping Cathy achieve her desire to relive those wonderful times. As well as getting involved in the activities in the home, Cathy is our tour guide on minibus trips out, especially when we visit Hayling Island which she knows like the back of her hand. Cathy’s friends and relatives were also overjoyed when we gave Cathy her badge showing that she is very much a part of the activities team.
In response to this wonderful surprise, Cathy said: “I was on the verge of tears. It is such an amazing feeling to know that such a loving group of people care so much about me that they are helping me to live out a dream – and I didn’t even ask”.
National Tea Day
On Thursday we celebrated National Tea Day, a day of applause for Britain's most famous drink!, Our resident's celebrated with an Afternoon Tea Lunch. Displayed on tiers, we enjoyed delicate sandwiches, delicious pastries and more; all served with a cup of tea (and maybe even a glass of sparkling white wine)! It was a lovely afternoon for our residents to come together and enjoy a social gathering with each other.
Carol and Ruth helped Lloyd, our Head of Life Enrichment, to arrange the flowers for the centerpieces, early this morning. This is something they have always done at home and love to make an arrangement look beautiful.
