Activities at Henford House Care Home
Our Activities Coordinators are constantly striving to mentally and physically stimulate those we support by organising group and individual activities for anyone and everyone to participate in, as well as visits from PAT dogs, musicians and entertainers. We also host evenings such as our cheese & wine nights, pub evening, quiz nights and special occasions such as, Guy Fawkes, Easter and Christmas where we like to encourage relatives to come to. Activities are one of the most important aspects of a care home, so it is essential that our team are dedicated to ensuring that residents are entertained, and that life at Henford House is fun and active.
Debbie Phillips
I joined Henford House in March 2014; after five and a half years of domiciliary care, this position became available at Henford and I decided that it would be great to do more of the fun things in life with residents! It is great here at the home; we get along so well and truly have some laughs. Residents have a wide range of activities to participate in each week, including armchair exercises, bingo sessions, singalongs, musical entertainment, pottery, manicures, celebrations and much more. It is very rewarding knowing that people are grateful for the work I've done when I go. Working here has also given me the opportunity to gain my Level 2 NAPA certificate.
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 Henford House Care Home
Macmillan Coffee Morning
Staff at Henford House held a charity coffee morning and cake sale on 25th September to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
This year, as with most things, it was a little different, but the staff were committed to making it fun for all involved. Staff were asked to pay £1 to join in with Henford’s theme of funky hair and odd socks!
Henford’s coffee morning was a big success; they managed to raise over £150 and, most importantly, everyone had a lot of fun doing it!
Sports Day
Residents and staff at Henford House laced up their trainers and warmed-up for their annual sports day. Residents won medals and prizes for their efforts and fun was had by all.
Anniversary Celebrations
Despite being unable to invite the general public to celebrate the 60th year anniversary of Henford House, residents and staff enjoyed traditional garden fete games and food. We look forward to being able to open our doors and we are dedicated to making sure that the home is a hub of the local community once more.
Friendship Day
Henford House bad a blast celebrating Friendship Day on 30th July making friendship bracelets. There were smiles all round as staff and residents were reminded of the importance of friends and how they can enrich your life.
Friendship Day is celebrated in many countries across the globe and is a special occasion that encourages people to celebrate their friendships – old and new – by spending time with their friends and family. Traditions vary between cultures but they generally include the exchange of friendship bands, cards and other gifts to mark the day.
Bastille Day
Residents at Henford House celebrated Bastille Day in true French style on the 14th July. This year, we had the help of Debbie Phillips, Activities Coordinator (pictured), to make sure the celebrations were on par with France.
Henford House was decorated with French flags and bunting. Residents listened to French music throughout the day and experienced a themed menu of dishes, such as croissants and baguettes with cheese and pate.
Long Awaited Reunions at Henford House
For some residents at Henford House care home the long awaited reunion with family and friends became a reality recently, as limited garden visits have now been allowed to commence at the home.
There has been much careful planning and preparation for this moment by Barchester Healthcare, who run Henford House care home, and at this point it is a limited and cautious approach, with not all residents being able to accept visitors, but only where we believe it to be safe.
Visitors may only access a designated outdoor area that does not require entry to the home, and are not permitted to enter the building for any reason. Infection control protocols and social distancing are in place for every visit, including a hand sanitizer station. Cleaning at Henford care home will take place after each visit to ensure chairs, seats, windows, hard surfaces including windowsills are wiped down appropriately.
It was welcome news to so many residents, family, and friends, who were kept apart for so long following strict government guidance. Residents and their relatives enjoyed getting together in the home’s garden.
Natalie James, General Manager at the home, said: “This has been a much welcomed development in what have been very strange times. The visits are well organised, and a lot of safety measures have been put in place to keep everyone safe. It was wonderful to see how happy it made the residents and their relatives.”
Resident Pat Grist at Henford said: “The staff here have been so wonderful teaching me how to use video calls so I could keep in touch with my family, but nothing beats seeing my family in real life. This was a special moment, and I was over the moon especially on my birthday.”
We are welcoming new residents into our homes to ensure that we are there for those that need care and support, and have a very clear admission policy and infection control protocols that must be met. Please do give us a call on 01985 212430 if you are looking for care or need any further help.
