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
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.
Baking Class
Our first baking class of the year saw residents from all communities combining their skills to create some lovely shortbread biscuits!
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon, and our biscuits were later enjoyed by everyone with a cup of tea.
New Years!
We had a wonderful New Year's Eve party this year!
Residents and their families enjoyed an afternoon of entertainment along with a lovely buffet provided by our wonderful chefs.
It was a great end to a fantastic year!
Christmas Party Bus
Our activities team have regular intergenerational activities within the home with many local schools attending. We wanted to give something back to the children of Llanelli.
We have decorated our mini bus and transformed it into a ‘Christmas Party Bus’, with disco ball lights, Christmas decorations and music, the bus has been making appearances at many local schools and streets in the town.
Our social media has seen many new followers by liking and sharing our Party Bus competition to have Santa and Elves visit to give out sweet treats to all.
Marie (Activities Coordinator) said “it’s been such a lovely thing to be involved in and to spread some Christmas cheer and gifts to the local children has great.
The residents have loved seeing the children’s faces when they see Santa and the children interact with our residents with such a lovely kind nature.
