Activities at Elm Bank Care Home

Christmas had arrived early at the home thanks to a heart-warming performance from the Corby Silver Band, it was an afternoon of festive melodies and traditional brass band classics. The band generously gave up their own time to visit the home to perform to the residents, it was an act of pure kindness that spread the Christmas cheer to so many residents.  It was a truly magical moment that transported the residents back in time to the days when they sat listening to the sound of a real band.

Activities Co-ordinator, Tina said: “The residents and staff thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon, the Corby Silver Band created a wonderful festive and cosy feel. The room was full of smiles it was delightful to see.”

Larisa Bledea, General Manager said, “A kind gesture from the Corby Silver Band to come and perform to us here at the home means so much to us all here. It is gestures like these that makes Christmas so special, we truly cannot thank them enough.”
 

The residents were recently wrapped with joy and warmth as they celebrated World Children’s Day with a memorable and compassionate visit from the children of St Thomas More Catholic Primary School.

The wonderful intergenerational gathering in the morning at the home was a resounding success, fostering beautiful connections between the young and old. The morning was filled with the children singing and reading to the residents. The children had dedicated their time in coming over and spending time sharing their favourite books and singing to the residents.

Tina, Activities Co-ordinator said, “It was a wonderful morning for this beautiful activity and the children bought such immense delight to the residents. The residents also got to enjoy listening to the children singing and reading their favourite books.”

General Manager Larisa Bledea said: “It was so lovely to see the children here, our residents are always looking forward to the children coming over and today was as wonderful as every other time they have been over to see us. To have these links with local schools is very important to us all here at the home”
Our varied life enrichment programme keeps residents active, and provides a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents’ interests and abilities".

 

Residents shared a deeply moving and memorable experience by attending a special Armistice Day Service held at St Thomas More Catholic Primary School. The intergenerational event beautifully honoured those who had fallen in conflict and demonstrated the children’s profound respect for the day.

The service provided a solemn yet uplifting atmosphere for remembrance, the residents, some of whom have direct memories or connections to wartime, joined the children and staff in prayer and in observing the two-minute silence. This shared moment of quite reflection underscored the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by previous generations.

Activities Co-ordinator Tina said: “The performance was wonderful, the residents, many of whom have vivid memories of the era, for them it was deeply moving. A real touching element of the service was the tribute created by the pupils, they created handcrafted poppies that were then planted in the school field at the end of the service. The poppies had poignant words written on them by the children, it was simply a powerful and tangible way to honour the fallen.”

General Manager Larisa Bledea said: “The morning service held at the school meant so much to our residents, and to have these close links with the school really provides the intergenerational connections for both our residents and the school. The children engaged in the service so respectfully, and the kind words of appreciation from our residents on their return were beautiful to hear.”

The home was transformed in to a haven of spooky cheer this Halloween, as residents and staff enjoyed a fabulous afternoon of music and treats.

The atmosphere was electric with, everyone, residents and staff alike, getting in to the spirit of it all by dressing up in array of inventive and fun costumes. The live musical entertainment from Nick from Mini Concerts, provided for an energetic afternoon of toes tapping and spirits soaring, providing a wonderful afternoon of engagement and sparking memories. Music certainly seemed to be the perfect ingredient for a spectacular fun and engaging Halloween Party.

Tina, Activities Co-ordinator said, “It was great to see so many smiles and everyone embracing the innocent and joyful side of Halloween. Activities like this are crucial for promoting the well-being and social interaction of all.”

General Manager Larisa Bledea said: “These events really underscore Elm Banks commitment in providing a stimulating and joyful environment where residents can continue to enjoy special occasions.”

The atmosphere was electric as residents enjoyed a lively performance from Gav Lalala, which added a really festive backdrop to the afternoon celebrations. From the first bite to the last note of music, the smiles were abundant. The joyous celebration culminated in a heartfelt moment as the residents, “a glass in hand,” raised a toast to the day. An opportunity created for all to come together, enjoy great food and music, and raise their spirits in a joint celebration of global culture and companionship.   .

Tina, Activities Co-ordinator said, “It was a wonderful afternoon for both residents and staff, the great selection of food from around the world provided residents with a culinary experience that put a smile on all their faces. The afternoon was filled with amazing live music from the ‘Gav Lalala’, it was a great afternoon for all.”

General Manager Larisa Bledea said: “World Food Day was a huge success here at the home and it was lovely to see residents and staff enjoy great music and sample different foods from around the world, prepared by our wonderful chefs. The feedback from residents and staff was lovely, they enjoyed each other’s company and reminisced on trips abroad over the years where they recalled eating the local food. Cheers to a memorable World Food Day at Elm Bank!.”

Residents and staff were delighted in welcoming the children from St Peter’s School, for a festive afternoon of carol singing. It was an afternoon that residents immersed themselves in the joy of festive celebrations.

Our lovely residents were super excited to have the beautiful young voices echoing throughout the home spreading festive joy to all and singing along to classic Christmas carols and reminisce about when they were young during this time of the year. The children also presented a lovely Christmas card to the residents that was hand designed by one of the children in the school. Resident ambassador John, treated the children to some delicious chocolate treats and the end of the performance that certainly went down well. It was a beautiful afternoon that was perfect to continue celebrating the festive season.

Activities Co-ordinator, Tina said: “The residents and staff thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon, the children created such a joyful afternoon. It was a very uplifting and festive experience for all, spreading Christmas cheer all around.”

Larisa Bledea, General Manager said, “It is always lovely to invite the local school children in at this time of year, and to hear them sing their Christmas carols to us all is simply beautiful. It means so much to the residents and all the staff, it allows for the young and the old to mix and the wonderful experiences are shared.  I believe as do we all here at the home it is crucial to create links with our local schools and within the community to continue for our residents to remain a part of the community, it enriches the lives of all in many ways.”

We had a wonderful afternoon celebrating the Willow Walk Community at Elm Bank! 
This small, and cosy environment on our ground floor is designed for people seeking the best of both worlds, with independence but still with the peace of mind of dedicated support and care.

Our VIP guests, including the Mayor of Kettering , Ben Jamieson, and Andy from Dignity, and also special guest joined our lovely residents for a special tour. 

The was big smiles from the prospective residents who are now closer to making this exciting lifestyle change! We were also joined by Jon Spinner who provided beautiful music from his violin. 
General Manager Larisa Bledea said “We understand that making decisions in changing your lifestyle can be difficult, our Willow Walk is unique and intimate with just 9 beautiful rooms which offers a cosy tight knit community which is less over whelming than the larger communities in the home”. 

For couples we have a special linked bedrooms which can be adapted to have a separate en-suite bedroom and lounge which also features a kitchenette and private French doors. 
If you’re ready to explore a lifestyle that offers independence, companionship, and support? Contact the home today to secure your tour, we have limited availability in this exclusive community, do miss out on this quality opportunity. 

Guests were also treated to some beautiful canapés prepared by our very own talented head chef Sophie 

The homes residents, staff, and families enjoyed a truly special and moving Remembrance Sunday this year, thanks to a spectacular performance from Mini Concerts.

The talented singers brought the spirit of the 1940s to the care home, performing a wonderful selection of songs from times past. Their energetic and heart-warming performance created a powerful moment of joy and nostalgia for everyone gathered.

Activities Co-ordinator Tina said: “The performance was wonderful, the residents, many of whom have vivid memories of the era, for them the music was deeply moving. The familiar melodies and harmonies evoked fond recollections, prompting many of our residents to sing along and even dance in their seats. The concert really provided a chance for residents to connect with their history in a joyful and uplifting.”

General Manager Larisa Bledea said: “The morning performance meant so much to us here at the home, it was such a lovely way of marking Remembrance Sunday, remembering the past but also celebrating life.”

The residents were treated to a wonderfully nostalgic and heart-warming afternoon recently, enjoying a sensational tribute performance dedicated to the legendary Doris Day.  

The singer, Emily from Mini Concerts filled the room with timeless classics from the past, prompting an impromptu sing-along that brought back a flood of lovely memories for the residents. Smiles were wide, feet were tapping, and the air was alive with joy as familiar melodies filled the home.

Tina, Activities Co-ordinator said, “The performance from Emily was simply amazing, seeing the residents so engaged, singing along to songs that hold such special memories for them, truly shows how vital music is to their well-being. It sparked conversations about their younger days, and you could really feel the positive energy throughout the room.”

A wave of nostalgia swept through Elm Bank as residents gathered for a delightful afternoon of biscuit making, transforming the communal dining room in to a room of pure joy.

The aprons were on with flour lightly dusted and the rolling pins in hand, the residents enthusiastically worked through every stage of the process, from kneading the soft dough, rolling it out and cutting out the intricate shapes. The residents of course enjoyed the best part: freshly baked, golden biscuits with a cup of tea. The pride on the resident’s faces as they sampled their own creations was wonderful.

Tina, Activities Co-ordinator said, “It was a wonderful simple activity that offered far more than just a tasty treat at the end. For our residents that live with dementia these hands on activities are incredibly beneficial for our residents, especially those that re living with dementia, as they provide essential sensory stimulation. Activities likes these ensure that every day is filled with meaningful and enjoyable experiences.”

General Manager Larisa Bledea said: “We really like to ensure that we offer a whole host of activities within our beautiful home, and that residents get to enjoy all life’s simple pleasures, it is not always about lavish activities it is about what the activity means to our residents and the benefit it creates. Everyone certainly enjoyed eating the creations at the end.”
 

The residents and staff transformed a lounge into a mini-farm as they were treated to a visit from Michelle’s Petting Party with a whole host of furry friends who came to say a festive hello. It was an afternoon of pure, unadulterated joy. Residents and staff’s faces lit up as they took turns in stroking and cuddling the animals.

Activities Co-ordinator, Tina said: “The residents and staff thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon, it was not just about fun; it was a real treat for the resident’s well-being. The little festive touches to the animals was so adorable it certainly made all of us smile. It was also great as Michelle was able to take the lovely animals and visit residents in the comfort of their rooms so that no one missed out on the fun. Michelle’s Petting Party certainly brought the barnyard to Elm Bank, but more importantly, she brought a whole host of happiness, we cannot wait to have Michelle back to visit us again.”

General Manager Larisa Bledea said: “It was so lovely to see all the joy the animals created for the residents and staff, and the lovely festive touches were simply brilliant, we cannot thank Michelle enough for the joy she created.”
 

The residents and staff were recently wrapped with joy and warmth as they celebrated world Kindness Day with a memorable and compassionate visit from the children of St Thomas More Catholic Primary School.

The wonderful intergenerational gathering in the morning at the home was a resounding success, fostering beautiful connections between the young and old. The highlight of the morning was the touching gesture made by the children. The children had dedicated their time in creating a collection of beautifully, handwritten kindness cards. Each card was uniquely decorated and filled with cheerful messages. The children personally handed these thoughtful treasures out to the residents.

Tina, Activities Co-ordinator said, “It was a wonderful morning for this beautiful activity and the simple act of receiving these beautifully handmade cards from the children bought such immense delight to the residents. The residents also got to enjoy listening to the children singing.”

General Manager Larisa Bledea said: “It was so lovely to see the children here, our residents are always looking forward to the children coming over and today was as wonderful as every other time they have been over to see us.”

The home lit up the night sky with a truly spectacular fireworks display, transforming the home’s beautiful gardens in to a dazzling venue for a memorable night of celebration.

The fantastic night saw residents, staff, loved ones, friends and the Kettering 23rd Cubs group gather together for a special evening filled with warmth, wonder and community spirit. The event was meticulously planned to ensure that every resident could enjoy the show in comfort and safety, whether watching from inside the cosy communal areas or wrapped up warmly in the crisp autumn air outside.

Tina, Activities Co-ordinator said, “It was a truly magical night, it combined the delight of a spectacular show with a real heart-warming feeling of community. It was lovely to have the cubs join us and to see all the family and friends. It truly encapsulated what it means to enjoy life to the fullest, regardless of age, with everyone including staff sharing in the laughter.”

General Manager Larisa Bledea said: “These events really underscore Elm Banks commitment in providing a stimulating and joyful environment where residents can continue to enjoy special occasions. The success of the evening has ensured that this annual fireworks event is firmly in the homes social calendar.”
 

Elm Bank was filled with delicious aroma of fresh baked bread as residents from the Blossom Trail Community celebrated National Baking Week with a fantastic afternoon of culinary creativity.

The atmosphere was buzzing as everyone got hands-on creating their own beautiful loaves from scratch. There were smiles all around as residents carefully kneaded, shaped, and seasoned their bread with an array of tempting toppings. From traditional sesame and poppy seeds to perhaps some more adventurous favour combinations, each a loaf created was a unique work of art!

Tina, Activities Co-ordinator said, “It was great as the bread was freshly baked the same day and delivered warm to the residents to enjoy with their tea. It was such a joyous activity and hearing all the residents’ stories from times past was lovely.”

General Manager Larisa Bledea said: “We really like to ensure that we offer a whole host of activities within our beautiful home, and that residents get to enjoy all life’s simple pleasures, it is not always about lavish activities it is about what the activity means to our residents and the benefit it creates. Everyone certainly enjoyed eating the creations at the end.”
 

The residents and staff, recently wrapped its residents and staff in a comforting embrace of support and cheer to mark World Mental Health Day, demonstrating a profound commitment to the emotional well-being of everyone in its care. The day was centred on the simple yet powerful gesture of yellow, a colour universally associated with hope, joy, and optimism.

The homes dedicated chef’s baked dozens of vibrant yellow cupcakes, which were lovingly decorated and the homes well-being champions provided many sweet treats for staff to enjoy. The cakes and sweets treat, served as a reminder of the day’s vital message: that talking about mental health is essential, and no one should be alone feel alone.   .

Tina, Activities Co-ordinator said, “It was a wonderful day for both residents and staff, the yellow cupcakes and sweet treats put a smile on all. The afternoon was filled with wonderful live music from the ‘Two of Diamonds’, it was a great day for all.”

General Manager Larisa Bledea said: “Mental health is just as important as physical health for all our residents and staff, and in a care setting, fostering a culture of open support is priority.”