Activities at Hafan-Y-Coed 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.
Marie Spires
I'm Marie, the lead activities coordinator for Hafan Y Coed. I have been the activities coordinator for nearly three years and am passionate about encouraging the wellbeing of our residents. Ensuring all abilities are catered for in a bespoke schedule is paramount to their individual wellbeing needs. I am joined by Clare and Sue who also help to create a life enrichment program suitable for all communities.
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 Hafan-Y-Coed Care Home
Cardiff Minibus Trip to History Museum
This month we were invited to Cardiff museum to take part in a felt art-making class as part of the amgueddfa cymru project.
We arrived nice and early, so we decided to enjoy our picnic near a scenic lake which the residents said was very relaxing and peaceful. When we arrived, we were taken to a calm art room with other members of the community, to carry out the felt-making activity. After our artistic wellbeing needs had been met, we ventured round the museum, taking in the history. Residents particularly enjoyed visiting the coffee shop for a hot drink and chocolate brownie! They were delicious!
Val said “I can’t thank you enough for such a wonderful day. It was so interesting looking round the museum and I learnt so much. It was good fun to have a go at the felt-making class too. I did have help but was very pleased with my final creation.”
Mother's Day Vintage Tea
Our Mother’s Day celebrations were enjoyed on all of our communities, with plenty of colourful decorations and flowers on display. The day saw plenty of family fun with smiling happy memories made on this traditional annual event.
Families were invited to spend the afternoon with loved ones and shared an afternoon vintage tea with our finest tea cups and devoured a wonderful selection of homemade snacks prepared by our talented new chef, Chris.
Whilst residents sipped on prosecco or tea, male vocalist Mike Jordan sang an eclectic mix of well-known classic songs which either had everyone dancing or singing along.
Jean’s daughter commented “another lovely day put on by the activities team. My Mother thoroughly enjoyed the day and I feel lucky to have spent the day together.”
Holistic day to relax and unwind
Some of our ladies enjoyed a holistic day which saw one of our activities team demonstrate ‘how to look after your skin’ with a step-by-step guided facial routine. The ladies sampled the products and enjoyed the environment of our new refurbished relaxation room.
While the demonstration was taking place, the aroma of the aromatherapy smells filled the room, while relaxing spa music was played. One lady said “I could just drift off and go to sleep after that session. I feel totally relaxed”. Another said how lovely her skin felt after sampling the products.
During the session, residents asked questions and said how they’d all learnt something new that they would try themselves.
Virtual Trip to France
Our themed dining experience took us on a virtual adventure to France this month. The dining rooms on all our communities were decorated in red, white and blue, with local landmarks displayed around the home. Our talented chef prepared a French-themed ‘Bon appétit’ menu and our activities team dressed as traditional French ladies with berets to match, whilst serving residents fresh baguettes to dip in their French onion soup.
The afternoon saw residents enjoy a traditional game of charades whilst others listened to famous French songs. The day was held to mark French language day, so a brief French lesson was also held during the day.
Our resident, Dennis, thoroughly enjoyed speaking to us in French and explained his mother was French and how the day was particularly poignant to him, who went on to reminisce about his Mother. One of our carers, who is French, said “It was a great day put on by the team, and it was great to celebrate my country with the residents.”
Little Leprechauns and Irish dancing
This month we enjoyed celebrating St. Patrick's Day by welcoming the local primary school to engage in activities with our residents.
Children from Stebonheath Primary spent the morning in an arts and crafts session, painting leprechauns and chatting with the residents about this Irish celebration. While the children enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate and cream, residents indulged in a traditional Irish coffee. Margaret said, “I haven’t had an Irish Coffee in years. It was made perfectly.”
During the afternoon, live singer Idge, entertained everyone with some well-known classical songs to dance along to. Some residents even had a go at some Irish tap dancing moves!
Baby Therapy
We have launched a weekly baby session which sees young and old join together to enjoy fun and laughter and a lot of singing.
The first session was a complete success, and was great to boost our residents' morale.
