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
Revisiting the Titanic
This week Derham House decided to revisit a disaster which changed the world we know today.
We started the week with a virtual visit to Newfoundland where the titanic sank off its coast and then visited the wreck virtually too.
The RMS Titanic, a luxury steamship, sank in the early hours of April 15, 1912, off the coast of Newfoundland in the North Atlantic after sideswiping an iceberg during its maiden voyage. Of the 2,240 passengers and crew on board, more than 1,500 lost their lives in the disaster. Titanic has inspired countless books, articles and films (including the 1997 “Titanic” movie starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio), which the residents had the pleasure of watching at the end of the week.
On show was some Titanic memorabilia brought in by one of the activity co-ordinators which the residents enjoyed looking at.
National Elf Day
We swapped our uniforms for costumes on National Elf Day in an effort to raise funds to help people living with dementia.
Launched by the Alzheimer’s Society and delivered directly from the North Pole, Elf Day was created to sprinkle some festive cheer on fundraising towards finding a cure for dementia.
We were able to enjoy elf-themed games, quizzes and delicious sweet and savoury treats, prepared by our talented chef.
Virtual trip to Lapland
Today the residents took a virtual trip to Lapland.
Our journey took us deep inside the Arctic Circle, to meet the ancient Sami people and the animals they hold so close - reindeer.
Known as the reindeer people, the Sami were traditionally nomadic, relying on their precious animals to help them survive the Arctic's harsh winters of -20.
The residents also witnessed the natural phenomenon the Sami most revere - the magical Northern Lights.
The residents really enjoyed watching this program one resident from memory lane said I really enjoyed that the reindeer were lovely and how about the weather that's really cold.
Home receive dance training
Derham House in Upminster is receiving specialist training as part of English National Ballet’s Dance for Dementia initiative and ongoing partnership with parent company, Barchester Healthcare. Staff at the home have been specially selected to receive training and to attend interactive sessions led by English National Ballet Associate Dance Artists and Musicians in order that they can help lead dance and music-inspired workshops for their residents. Dancing and creative arts and music interventions engages the brain and can help with symptoms associated with dementia such as memory loss, communication, and physical coordination. Sessions foster creativity and can help improve symptoms as well as providing artistic stimulation and social interaction.
Pamper Day
We really went out there with Christmas fast approaching; some went for bright reds while others enjoyed the Christmas sparkle and had glitter.
And for those who do not like a manicure, they enjoyed a soothing hand massage.
Derham House Remembers
On the 11th day of the 11th month of the 11th hour, Derham House asks that you join us in observing a two minute silence to remember those who gave their lives so we could live ours.
We have also made a remembrance wall to remember the residents & family members who thought for this country.
