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.

Enriching life
Watch our video on life enrichment in our homes.

Marius Sidoriuc

Activities Coordinator

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.

Life-encriching activities booklet

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

National Nest box week

We were excited to take part in this year’s National Nestbox week – an initiative making more homes for Britain’s birds since 1997.

Our residents had fun decorating nest boxes with their own individual designs. We then put up the nest boxes on our balcony to promote the conversation of breeding birds and wildlife. Garden songbirds can struggle to find suitable nesting holes and cavities if there are a lack of mature trees in the area.

We all had a great time and can’t wait to see more birds in our garden.

Swing out sister!

Last week our residents marked Mary Quant’s birthday with fun-filled fashion-inspired activities.

Mary Quant is an English fashion designer of youth-oriented styles, responsible in the 1960s for the ‘Chelsea look’ of England and the widespread popularity of the miniskirt and ‘hot pants’.

During the day our residents discussed all things fashion and got involved in a themed quiz, along with mini taking a look at fashion photos and their own creative arts session where they designed their own stylish outfits.

It was a wonderful day, enjoyed by all.                     

To find out more about life at Harton Grange, please visit our website: https://www.barchester.com/home/harton-grange-care-home/life-at-our-home

Valentine's inspired cookery demo

We had a lovely time joining Chef Alex Connell from Vegetarian for Life for a Valentine’s-inspired virtual cookery demonstration.  Chef Alex created some delicious Valentine’s Day-inspired vegetarian desserts, which our residents had the opportunity to try too.

First, our residents sampled a wonderful sticky toffee pudding, which was absolutely heavenly. Then they tried hazelnut truffles which were a huge hit and finally they were treated to a chocolate orange cake which everyone adored.

Chinese New Year

We welcomed in the Year of the Tiger with a day of celebrations and activities.

The Chinese New Year is China’s most important festival that celebrated the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar calendar.

Inspired by Chinese culture and traditions, our residents enjoyed a creative session with Chinese New Year DIY dragons and made beautiful lanterns to mark the day.

We all enjoyed some music from Greater China, watched last year’s celebrations and had a discussion about the animals associated with the Chinese zodiac. It was a fun day.

Elfie Selfie

Today has been a fun day at Harton Grange. The residents enjoyed making a Elfie selfie frame with Matthew the activities coordinator. There was lots of laughter and Christmas cheer.

Christmas decorations

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas here at Harton Grange. Yesterday all of our Christmas decorations and lights went up. Everyone is feeling very festive!