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
New Year's Celebrations
Residents kick started 2020 with a bang with their New Year’s day celebrations. Residents of Harton Grange were delighted to see their favourite performer, John T who sang a medley of their favourite old time classics and everyone had a fabulous time catching up with relatives and friends who had popped in to visit.
Guests were treated to a fabulous buffet, which was laid on by the homes hospitality team. It was a fantastic day had by all with many singing and dancing along to their favourite tunes.
Visiting Friends in Bedlington
Residents enjoyed a lovely trip out to Bedlington to see their friends “the mind active team”. They had an amazing day together, singing and dancing. One resident Bill Witts was lucky and won the raffle and was delighted with his box of chocolates.
Luck was also on their side as the team scored top scores on the quiz which led to a very happy trip back to South Shields on the mini bus. Residents are looking forward to their next trip.
15 Years of Service
Darren Kinghorn has been working at Harton Grange for 15 years and was recently awarded with a long service award. Well done, Darren!
Cheque Presentation
Harton Grange presented the Jack Heath Club with a cheque for £787.50 to pay for Christmas pantomimes and events.
The home presented the cheque to the local charity on behalf of Barchester’s Charitable Foundation, which is a registered charity that gives grants to older people and other adults with a disability to help combat loneliness and enable people to be active and engaged in the communities where Barchester care homes operate.
A Friendly Visit
We welcomed residents from our sister home, Appletree Grange. Betty, Mary & Margaret enjoyed an afternoon of crafts and socialising. Everyone loved seeing our Hens.
Making Poppies
Residents enjoyed and afternoon making poppies to display on our remembrance tree. We sang some wartime songs and Meg read a lovely poem about poppies.
