Activities at Harton Grange 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.
Marius Sidoriuc
Hi, my name is Marius, I am the activities coordinator here at Harton Grange. I joined Barchester's family in 2021, as I found their approach and standards on dementia very interesting. Since early 2022 I work for Barchester as both activities coordinator and care assistant. In 2018, I started my journey in health and social care as a care assistant and very soon after, I completed courses on dementia and activities (NAPA, level 2) and I worked as both activities coordinator and care assistant in Kent. I'm also an apprentice in health and social care. I've met some amazing people that have guided my understanding of dementia.
The most important thing for me is to see our residents achieving a meaningful raison d'etre, living as they like and to benefit from a range of activities starting from Namaste to reminiscing and spiritual needs (such as praying or listening to hymns), art and craft, armchair exercises, music therapy or finger nail pamper sessions.
I like to acknowledge that I am working as a part of a whole team, including the fantastic management, hospitality and maintenance departments, promoting a person centred approach for each resident and we are glad to know each persons preferences and abilities in order to plan how the day will look with them. One way we are able to do this is through our residents' and family' meetings where we try to let everyone have their say about the way they want to live and the activities they take part in.
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 Harton Grange Care Home
Century celebrations
Celebrations have been in full swing at Harton Grange, as one of its residents reaches her centenary in style. Doris Wardale was celebrated by staff as she received cards in recognition of her landmark birthday. A champagne reception was held at the home and a special birthday cake made by the home’s chef Joy.
Doris said: “I feel excited at this age, only my legs are not so good… But I’m grateful for reaching this ages. I had a lovely day, everybody was so lovely with me and I got so many birthday cards…”
Judith Tully, General Manager of Barchester Harton Grange added: “We’re delighted to be celebrating a truly remarkable woman as she reaches this amazing milestone. Doris Wardale is such a popular resident who always has an interesting tale to tell, and we look forward to hearing many more as she breaks into her next century.”
A trip for fish and chips!
On a rainy morning, last week, with not many signs of a good day ahead, we decided that nothing can stop us from having an excellent day out. Despite the bad weather, we decided to do something exciting, to break the routine. Therefore, we packed what we needed and took the bus for a short trip around the coast. Just before lunch we stopped at Colmans in South Shields where we remembered the old times, as some of us used to come here. After the delicious fish (caught by the boat Bjorguin EA-311), chips and hot teas we went to “The Word” in South Shields where Rosi, with her enthusiasm, engaged all of us in making colorful patterns and collages.
History of Botanical garden
Our homes enjoyed a wonderful virtual tour of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh with Community Engagement Manager, Charlotte Walker, and Botanic Cottage Operations Co-ordinator, Laura Gallagher.
The residents were thrilled to learn more about the history of the beautiful Garden, which is now a home to an impressive plant collection from around the world.
Charlotte and Laura also gave a demonstration of making fresh herbal tea and were happy to answer our questions. The virtual experience was truly enjoyed by all who joined.
Beautiful bouquets
Our homes had a fantastic time joining members of the Wallace Collection for an amazing sensory session.
During the live virtual experience, our residents explored one of the museum’s most beautiful Dutch flower paintings and learnt new drawing techniques.
We cannot wait to put our creative skills to a test and produce beautiful paintings of our own.
Everyone enjoyed the lovely talk, we all had lots of fun and it’s given us plenty of ideas.
Hadrian's Wall
We had a great time visiting the Hadrian's Wall in Vindolanda, where we discovered a lot about the history of Barbarians, Romans and what it was like to live at the border of an empire....
Of course, we couldn't finish the trip without visiting The Sill where we saw "The Lost Spells" exhibition. But the most joy and fantastic times were brought in by the wonderful angels from the Bright Future.
We finished the bus trip to Hadrian's Wall with a copious lunch at The Twice Brewed Inn.
Thank you to everyone involved in, thank you Equal Arts for all your support.
Music through the ages
Our homes had a brilliant time with curator Sarah Deters as she took us on a virtual ‘Music Through the Ages’ tour of St Cecilia’s Hall: Concert Room and Music Museum.
Our residents were thrilled to discover weird and wonderful musical instruments, hear their unusual sounds, and find out how instruments have changed over the last 500 years.
The virtual live event explored the world-renown collection of musical instruments on display at St Cecilia’s Hall, Scotland’s oldest concert hall.
