Activities at Elm Bank Care Home

Residents at Elm Bank care home in Kettering were filed with joy and moved by the talented ‘Jazz and Swing’ singer Ollie Corbett who came to perform at the home for the first time.

We all know the importance of music and the impact it has on a person’s mental wellbeing, not only can it bring back memories of the past, it provides a feeling of warmth within. The residents were overjoyed to have experienced such exceptional singing from Ollie, who sang at the home to start the festive season off. Ollie delivered a unique performance for each resident, the delight on the faces of the residents was just clear to see. Residents were lost in the musical moments, some with a tear in their eye, listening intently to each word, transported for a moment in to complete happiness.

Marvellous Bindura, General Manager said, "it was lovely to have Ollie come and sing for us all, his voice was wonderful, the residents and staff were blown away with every song he sang. We have not had a Jazz and Swing singer at the home, so this certainly was something spectacular and we are definitely looking forward to welcoming Ollie back to perform for us after the New Year. Music plays a key part in the home activities and it provides many benefits to all, and as a home we look to offer varying types of music that caters for everyone’s taste.”

One of the cornerstones of our life enrichment program is live musical entertainment. Resident involvement in choosing genres along with feedback after each performance means that we are able to constantly improve our activities calendar.

To celebrate the start of a new era, we held our Open Day on Saturday 30th November following significant investment to the home. 

Visitors were welcomed to view the home’s stylish new interior and take a tour of the home. Kettering Town Mayor, Cllr Craig Skinner attended the occasion to launch the re-opening of the home. The Mayor spent time with the general manager discussing the care that the home provides as well as the amazing facilities on site.

The Mayor also spent time with some of the residents at the home, John who is a resident at the home had a great time chatting with the Mayor, sharing many stories from Johns past. It was wonderful to hear that both had some military background, which made for a wonderful conversation. John also was honoured to stand alongside the Mayor and the homes General Manager Marvellous in the ribbon cutting ceremony that opened the doors of the home.

The home’s General Manager was available to answer any questions guests had about finding the right home and about the services offered at Elm Bank.

We were very honoured to have the Mayor come to join us for this special day. The home is looking better than ever after the recent investment and it was a pleasure to showcase the elegant new interior at the Open Day.  The home’s hospitality team provided complimentary refreshments and a tasty spread of healthy snacks. Elm Bank offers its residents a host of premium activities throughout every day of the year and provides outstanding community engagement links. 

Elm Bank care home in Kettering welcomed African Youth Arise (AYA) to their beautiful home for an afternoon of amazing entertainment with African drums and an assortment of instruments.

African Youth Arise are a charity that is based in Northamptonshire, which inspires young people to become a better version of themselves. Mentors, Blessing and Iyanu, attended the home with young people who entertained the residents with their spectacular performance. Residents were fully engaged with some even having a go on the drums and various other instruments.

Blessing, Well Being Practitioner for AYA, said: “It was lovely to be able to come and play for the residents here at Elm Bank care home. It is the first time for us here at the home and for the children themselves it was a new experience, that was enjoyed very much so by all of us. It was great to see the residents having a go on the instruments, something new for all.”

Marvellous Bindura, General Manager at Elm Bank said: “It was an afternoon that our lovely residents will not forget. The children were outstanding, it is lovely to have entertainment that is varied and something that residents enjoy and learn from and have fun, which is very important here for all. From all of us here at the home we would like to thank the African Youth Arise for taking time out to come and perform for us, we look forward to welcoming them again.“

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.

Elm Bank care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Elm Bank provides residential and dementia care for residents from respite care to long term stays.

Never known to miss a chance for a celebration, Elm Bank care home in Kettering marked the King’s birthday on November 14th with a right royal celebration with live entertainment and delicious cakes.

Home chefs whipped up a tasty selection of freshly-baked, scones, for the occasion, all washed down with pots of tea.  Residents dressed in their best and enjoyed an amazing afternoon of live music from Neil Richardson, to mark the memorable occasion.

Marvellous Bindura, General Manager at Elm Bank care home said: “Our residents love a party and they love the Royal family so they all enjoyed the live entertainment from Neil, certainly had them all singing, it was all washed down with tea and cakes to mark the King’s birthday, for a lot of us we’re still getting used to celebrating a King’s birthday, but some of our residents do remember previous Kings.”

Residents at Elm Bank care home were in agreement and said: “King Charles has had a very difficult year with his illness so we all wanted to celebrate his birthday and wish him well.  It is wonderful to see him up and about again and we hope his recovery continues to go well.”

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.

Elm Bank care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Elm Bank provides residential and dementia care for residents from respite care to long term stays.

Elm Bank care home in Kettering were thrilled to have received a kind donation of compressed ply wood for their sensory Santa’s Grotto project.

Activities Co-ordinator Tina from Elm Bank care home was in the store purchasing Christmas decorations alongside Rob Head of maintenance for the residents of the home. Whilst browsing the store, David Gibbs a Team Leader at the local store was approached to enquire about some wood required for an activities project of creating a sensory Santa’s Grotto.

Tina, the Activities Co-ordinator said, “I am creating a sensory Santa’s Grotto for our dementia residents to enjoy as well as everyone else, family, staff and local school children during the festive period. The grotto will be a place for all to relax and take in the atmosphere of Christmas, a place to reminisce of past festive times, a beautiful escape in to an enchanting place for a while. All of us at the home are truly grateful for the donation from B&Q, once the sensory Grotto is open, it would be lovely to invite David over.”

David said, “I was touched when I learnt what the purpose of the wood was for and felt that we had to do something to help this wonderful project of creating a sensory Santa’s Grotto. It is the least we could do for the residents of Elm Bank care home. We are all excited to receive the photos of the finished grotto. I have a family member that has dementia and something like this is a very good idea. “

Marvellous Bindura, General Manager said, “All of us here at the home are very grateful for the kind donation made by B&Q. The Sensory Santa’s Grotto is a wonderful idea and will truly be a place that we are all able to enjoy during the festive period. We are looking forward to the completed project and seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces.”

Richard Jell, the owner of Richards Plants in Desborough, made a kind festive donation to the residents and staff of Elm Bank care home in Kettering, which put smiles on everyone’s faces.

The residents and staff at the home were delighted when they received a beautiful Nordman Fir tree for the front entrance of the home. The wonderful tree stands seven and half foot tall, it truly will make the entrance of the home look magical.

Richard said, “We are celebrating our 20th year of trading, and it has been truly wonderful to be able to help Elm Bank care home. I fully understand the hard work that goes in to care homes, and the importance of making this time of the year special for all, family with loved ones in the home and staff that work throughout the festive period. It is the least I could do, to put a smile on the faces of all, I cannot wait to see the tree decorated."

Marvellous Bindura, General Manager said, “All of us here at the home are very grateful for the kind donation made by Richard. We are looking forward to the tree being decorated and the joy it will bring to everyone will be truly magical, it certainly will make the front of the home spectacular.”