Meet our Activities Coordinator, Kay Thompson

Excitement has been running high at Derham House where residents and staff have been busy making Jubilee-themed decorations and baking up a storm of red, white and blue cakes and pastries with the help of head chef Dmitrij Saverskij in preparation for the Jubilee. Staff and residents at the home put their heads together and came up with a plan for their celebrations fit for a Queen.  Over the bank holiday weekend the home held a garden party with live entertainment with the lovely Joanne Lee, the very talented Faye daughter of our head of dementia unit who also sang some songs, her brother Nga who opened the show with a reading and Kat & Holly with their horses Star & Teddy, Luigi’s ice creams and our guest appearance was the newly elected Deputy Mayor of Havering Stephanie Nunn and the Consort Barry Mugglestone. The whole home came together to celebrate our longest reigning monarch and reminisce about what she means to each and every one of us.

Today Derham House took a trip to the call of the wild zoo in Chelmsford originally known as tropical wings. Interacting with animals on any level can be beneficial for both family caregivers and their elderly loved ones. According to research animals can help lower blood pressure and increase feelings of happiness and well-being in people of all ages. We saw colourful butterflies in the butterfly house to the playful meerkats to patting the donkeys. One lady her favourite was having a conversation with a parrot who wolf whistled her and as we walked away he said goodbye she was so happy. To end the trip we all sat down for a lovely ice cream. A fun day had by all.

Today at Derham House we welcomed Wild Science who provided Animal-assisted therapy. It has been proven that interacting with animals causes elevation to mood and increased energy levels, as well as promoting social behaviours and decreasing apathy and agitation. The presence of animals can trigger pleasant memories of past life experiences for example childhood pets.

Exotic animals are ideal visitors as they are usually very docile and predictable allowing for safe interaction and demonstration. Katie the instructor was very knowledgeable and had a variety of animals with her including a giant African snail a tree frog and a royal python and some with funny names like feet the millipede and mango the bearded dragon which has now had his name changed to mango chutney which one of the resident said and Katie really liked.

At Derham House we celebrated St Patrick's Day as we welcomed our new singer to the home Debbie Watts. Wow she did not disappoint and what a powerful voice she had belting out the powerful ballad Danny Boy, there was lots of smiles and a few trying the Irish jig. The best part of the afternoon is when the Guinness and Baileys came out.

Thank you Debbie for singing those Irish songs a toe tapping afternoon had by all.

We were thrilled to welcome back the talented Tim Arthur. He sang classics from The Beatles, like 'All you need is love' and 'Strawberry Fields Forever' and the residents truly enjoyed the experience. 

One of the residents commented: ''His guitar playing is amazing', others got up and had a little jive. All in all a fantastic afternoon.