Activities at Derham House 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 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.
Kay Thompson
I have worked in the care sector for many years. I am fully trained in dementia awareness, and I have also trained as a dignity champion. I have been working here at Derham House since March 2019, and I am really enjoying my role here.
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 Derham House Care Home
Knitting Club Thursdays
We've recently started up our Knitting Club Thursdays.
We had a lovely time chatting over a cup of tea and biscuits, while knitting some squares.
We have all spoke about getting some patterns together for next week, so we can make a start on deisgning some little outfits.
What a fantastic late afternoon activity to do before supper.
Bloomin' Thursdays
We all got together for a flower arranging session in the garden room.
Our beautiful flowers were donated, as always, by Sainsbury's in Hornchurch High Street – we are so very grateful for their kindness.
We do this activity on a weekly basis, and it is enjoyed by many. We decorate our vases with lots of different kinds of flowers that are then placed all round our home.
Music Therapy
We had a music therapy session and residents had a great time reminiscing about classic songs, including those from the greats, such as Vera Lynn, Dean Martin & the king himself, Elvis Presley.
One gentleman, a life-long West Ham United supporter, sang 'I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles' at the top off his voice, which was lovely to hear, as he normally has limited communication.
Going forward, this will be a regular activity at Derham House.
Visiting the Horses
We walked over to the local stables to feed the horses.
With our chopped carrots, we had a nice walk around the stable grounds and met some great characters along our way.
There were very big horses - and some cute little guys too! They didn't want us to leave... or maybe they just wanted more carrots! Either way, we going back again.
Talking Memories
We use our sensory products with residents who are bed-bound to take them to another place in their mind through sound and smell.
We listened to the sounds of the waves from the sea and, whilst listening, exchanged our memories of the last time we were at the beach.
It was such a lovely exercise and this is something that can be used time and time again.
Fresh Flower Arranging
We had some lovely fresh flowers kindly donated to us from Sainsbury's in Hornchurch.
We had a fantastic time sorting through the different flowers and decorating our vases and baskets to display around our home.
We will be now doing this on a weekly basis, as we have an agreement with Sainsbury's that they will continue to donate to us in the future.
Flower arranging is definitely a big hit at Derham House!
