Activities at Fountains 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.
Louise Crooks
Hello I am Louise, my first role with Barchester was caring for our residents. Previously I worked in an early years environment for 17 years where I organised activities and events. I am thrilled to now be Activities Lead and being able to continue enriching the life’s of our lovely residents here at Fountains.
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 Fountains Care Home
Later Life Planning Clinic
Lorraine Shannon HSA for Fountains Care Home organised a later life planning clinic for the local community with a complimentary afternoon tea and prosecco! It was an extremely informative session and everyone who attended felt far more informed as to the options available when planning for their future.
Nicola is our local Symponia member and Symponia members provide dedicated independent financial advice on all aspects of care fees planning, especially for those people already residing in a care home, or considering such a move in the future.
Nicola gave an excellent talk on how paying care fees for life can be a worry and she demonstrated how you can protect capital, whilst ensuring financial commitments regarding long term care, can always be met.
We were very lucky to also have Sophie Fenn from Wilkes Partnership who gave a presentation on the importance of Power of Attorneys documentation and information regarding wills.
The afternoon was concluded by Geraldine Davies who is an independent Senior Care Consultant and Geraldine talked about what good care looks life, what to look out for when choosing a care provider and the important questions to ask. Geraldine supports families and individuals to source appropriate care and guides them through the process.
Please see contact details below should you wish to contact the above professionals directly:
Nicola Bywater: 0121 308 1361 or 0778 999 5451. Nicola’s email address is nicolabywater@bespoke-advice.com.
Sophie Fenn: 0121 733 4337. Sophie’s email is sfenn@wilkes.co.uk
Geraldine Davies: 01564 743 067. Geraldine’s email is geraldine@seniorcaresupport.co.uk
Solihull Singing for Pleasure
Lorraine Shannon HSA attended the Solihull Singing for Pleasure and enjoyed joining in and meeting the group of singers. It’s a mixed group of singers who meet on Wednesdays between 2pm-4pm in the Margaret Wharam Room at the Solihull Methodist Church. The cost is £2 which goes towards refreshments.
The Singing group was set up in 1993 by Age Concern but eventually became independent. They have performed many concerts over the years in aid of various charities to raise funds and also entertaining senior citizen clubs. New members always welcome.
The Group is sadly at risk of folding as their 95 yrs old pianist is finding the commitment a little too much. If anyone knows of a pianist that could offer a couple of hours on a Wednesday then please contact David Argall who organises the group on davidargall185@btinternet.com or call on 0121 704 4006.
Charity Fundraising Event
Lorraine Shannon HSA for Fountains attended a Charity Fundraising Event for Brain Tumour Research organised by the Shirley Lions and held at the Shirley British Legion Club.
Brain Tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age and they kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet historically just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.
The event was well attended and “Imperfect Storm” provided live music for the evening of UK and US rock cover songs. There was a lot of dancing and fun had by all as well as much needed funds raised to support the vision of the charity to find a cure for brain tumours.
To donate and find out more please visit www.braintumourresearch.org
Volunteers Managers Forum Visited Fountains
Lorraine Shannon HSA for Fountains hosted the Volunteer Managers Forum for February at the Marketing Suite.
The Forum meet monthly to discuss volunteering opportunities across the Borough, ways to support each other and sharing best practice.
The Guest Speaker was Claire Milican, Riding for the Disabled who shared some very interesting facts as to the benefits of volunteering. The positive impact on Tackling loneliness, Boosting Mental Health and Wellbeing, Improving Physical Health and Building Knowledge and Skills was evidenced in recent case studies.
Everyone enjoyed an informative meeting along with an afternoon tea and a show around tour. The feedback was extremely complimentary and everyone is excited for the opening of Fountains which will be such a valuable asset to the community.
If anyone is interested in knowing more about volunteering opportunities at Fountains Care Home or other opportunities in Solihull to meet your interests and skill set then please contact CAVA – Community & Voluntary Action on 0121 312 3717 or solihullvmf@wcava.org.uk
Community Choir Visited Fountains
We were extremely lucky and delighted to have Sing! Bentley Heath Community Choir perform at the Marketing Suite for the Solihull Association for the Blind.
Sing! are a Modern Community Choir in Solihull who perform concerts and smaller performances to raise money for chosen charities.The choir consists of approx. 120 singers so Fountains was delighted to welcome a selected cluster of this amazing choir. Everyone was thoroughly entertained J
Sing! Will be performing at The Core Theatre on Saturday 25th April at 7:30pm to celebrate a Decade of Song. Tickets available at purchase.tickets.com
Community Event at Fountains
Fountains Care home held a community event in the beautiful marketing suite on the Stratford Road (the old Shirley Aquatic Site) on Thursday 23rd January 2020.
Georgina Grace from BeautyAtHome who will be based at Fountains for a certain period during the week, kindly offered complimentary mini hand manicures to those lucky people who came along.
The treatment included a mini hand/arm massage, cut file & polish using either OPI. ORLY or CND polish.
Upcoming events
May Life Enrichment
We hope to see the end of the April showers and look forward to sunnier days in May. Please come and brighten our day and join us for our May events.
Reminiscence Cafe
Please join us for our monthly Reminiscence Cafe where we will pick a topic and talk about our memories, whilst making new friends and enjoying some refreshments.
Don't Dine Alone
We know meal times can be a lonely time for some people, that's why we're inviting local older people to join us for lunch every Friday from 12.30pm.
Room for Hire
Looking for somewhere to hold your meeting or event? We have a meeting room that is available for free to members of the local community and professionals.
