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
Memory Lane Art's and Crafts - Remembrance Day
In preparation for Remembrance Day our residents in Memory Lane enjoyed a very therapeutic afternoon, preparing poppies for our Remembrance Day display. Many concentrated on cutting out poppies of all sizes whilst other decided to pick up a paint brush and let their creativity flow!
Sheila expressed how a simple activity such as cutting out intricate shapes, can be so relaxing and positive for their minds. It gives them a chance to be creative, get in touch with their sensory side and enjoy a meaningful conversation during!
We Have a Winner
Last week, our residents took part in a Autumn themed Flower Arranging competition and we asked the local community and families and friends to vote for their favourite! We shared these pictures over various Facebook community groups and pages to get as many votes as possible...
And the Winner is Sheila from our Memory Lane community with her arrangement Autumn Glory! Sheila was absolutely thrilled with her win and was overjoyed with the applause and her achievement; she didn't see it coming!
Thank you to all that voted for our beautiful arrangements!
Children in Need 2022
Our residents and the local community enjoyed a fabulous afternoon raising money for Children in Need. We came together in the afternoon to enjoy fun games, music and delicious tea and cake!
This years Children in Need fundraising game was Bear Pong, a take on the familiar game, "Beer Pong". Players must bounce the ball on the table and into one of the red cups. Each cup is worth a certain amount of points! Yvonne Kingston had the highest mark and won a beautiful Christmas Hamper! We also played a huge game of Pudsey Bingo where many prizes were won.
Preparing for December!
Last week, we used our creative sides to produce wonderful Sock Snowmen! We used plain white socks and filled them with rice to create their round bodies. We then personalised them and made them come to life with colourful fabrics, buttons, googly eyes and ribbons! They look amazing around the home; they have pride of place sitting on shelves, window ledges and bedside tables, all ready for December!
Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy sessions at Denmead Grange
The Age UK Portsmouth weekly MCST sessions here at Denmead Grange are going really well, the sessions happen on Thursday mornings and there are a few places left if you would like to come and join us.
Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (MCST) is a weekly group programme designed for people who have been newly diagnosed or who have been living with mild to moderate dementia.
Group members take part in meaningful and stimulating activities that are proven to help maintain memory and mental functioning, during gardening week we made pots with our faces on them and planted bulbs ready for the spring. As well as doing great activities that help stimulate the brain the group also provides a fun, supportive environment where people can build new friendships.
All of the activities are chosen to be both stimulating and fun. An important aspect of the group is being able to socialise and share experiences with other members. The groups are relaxed and light-hearted, and group members are encouraged to support each other
if you or a loved one are in the early stages of dementia and would like to come along please contact Kandy Lucas at Age UK Portsmouth on 02392 862121 or our Home Services Advisor Jacqui Tucker on 02392 263470 to find out more.
Memory Lane where magic happens
In memory Lane we like to bring a bit of magic to our home through some of the most advance technological solutions to enhance our residents’ engagement.
Our residents love using our Magic Table and exploring the great variety of sensory interactive games, which research has shown are able to have a positive effect on those living with dementia through sensory stimulation, relaxation and reminiscence.
We also have empathy dolls, some of our residents find emotional and physical comfort from the opportunity to hold our empathy doll. The experience of holding a doll takes our residents back to a time when they were parents. It’s a natural instinct to cradle a baby and the effect of comforting someone else can also produce positive feelings.
