Activities at Drummond 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 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.

Enriching life
Watch our video on life enrichment in our homes.

Katie Nicolson

Head of Activities

Katie Nicolson is our Head of activities here at Drummond since August 2023 beforehand she worked as an activity assistant in the home for two years. Before coming to Drummond Katie has worked in many care roles over the years and studied Psychology and Sociology at Queen Margaret’s University and was awarded a Degree of Bachelor of science in Psychology and Sociology at the start of 2022. Katie loves being part of the Activity department here at Drummond Grange and bringing new and exciting opportunities and experiences to the residents. When she’s not at work Katie is a local Girl Guide leader and youth leader for her churches youth group. 

Life-encriching activities booklet

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 Drummond Grange Care Home

Meeting the Reindeers

Across our homes we got into the Christmas spirit of things by joining a festive live virtual experience, led by Des and Kelly from Performing Pets.

Our residents were thrilled to meet the charming furry friends and get up close and personal with the reindeers.

We certainly learnt some interesting facts about the animals and had a fantastic time.

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Halloween at Drummond Grange

Halloween is always a favourite here at Drummond but with all the other celebrations it was definably a slightly quieter affair to previous years but still lots of fun was had!  

Halloween Poetry:
Residents enjoyed coming up with Halloween acrostic poems, a favourite activity hear at Drummond.

Halloween Arts and crafts:
We got out the Halloween arts and crafts and made some decorations including ‘spider’ Ojo de Dios wool weaving and painting wooden decorations.

Halloween Community event:
Residents and staff got in to the spirit of things by hosting a community Halloween event for the third year in a row. Local families as well as family and friends of staff and residents were invited in to the home on Saturday 28th and welcomed to a whole host of activities and treats put on by the staff and residents. Each unit in the home had set up a different station from apple dooking to spooky crafts and a scary photo booth with lots of props. Finishing of the afternoon with lots of musical games including Musical Bumps (in the Night) and musical (spooky) statues.

Halloween Resident Party:
On actual Halloween day residents were treated to their own slightly more grown up party complete with a spooky singalong and creepy cocktails made by activity coordinator Katie

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Amy’s Baby shower

It was a week for celebrations as a few days after the care awards we celebrated activity assistant/physio assistant Amy as she headed of on her maternity leave. Residents and staff all gathered together to wish her well. It was a relaxed affair with lots of tea and prosecco’s as well as a lovely spread put on by chef Yacup. Residents put together a alphabet name board to give new parents Amy and Jed some inspiration. Staff also done a collection to get Amy, Jed and Baby Smith a special treat. Another surprise was when activity coordination Katie snuck Amy’s mum and sister into the party using the rues of pin the dummy on the baby to get Amy Blind folded however Amy wasn’t fooled for long as she pretty much instantly guessed there was someone there!

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Barchester Care Awards

We may not have been winners here at Drummond Grange but we love a party and are so so proud of our guys for getting as far as they did!

On the Tuesday morning we all gathered to cheer our team! Susanne Watson (Resident Ambassador of the year) Chris Lewis  (Chef of the Year) our Vent team, (team of the year) and Laura Mcneish (Carer of the year) along with home manager Alina Brehar and Physiotherapist/minibus driver Gerard Fox all set off early for the long trip down to Manchester.

On the morning of the awards the team were up early for a quick gym and swim session before the mad rush to get everyone looking glam for the event!  To be nominated for 4 categories we are so proud of everyone

The whole home was decorated for the Barchester care awards on the 11th of October and everyone gathered in the lounges (some camped out all day) to cheer on not only our team but all the amazing nominations across the company.

What a fantastic day hearing such inspiring stories!

Physio through to award finals

Local care home physiotherapist is through to the final of Queen Margaret University Outstanding practice educators awards. Along with many other educators all who had been nominated by their students, Gerard attended the awards virtually along with Home Manager Alina Brehar and other Drummond Staff and residents who were all so pleased when Gerard won the award!

Gerard Fox, Physiotherapist at Drummond grange Care Home has been selected for his achievements in his work supporting physio students as they attended their university placements at Drummond Grange care home. 

National Housekeeping Week

Residents at Drummond Grange care home in Lasswade, run by Barchester Healthcare, are celebrating Housekeeping Week, which takes place from September 3-9. Residents wanted to thank all the wonderful housekeeping staff at the home, whose hard work and dedication make a real difference to the lives of those living there.

Housekeeping Week is an annual event held every year during September.  The week is dedicated to recognising the efforts of hard-working housekeeping staff around the world.