Activities at Hickathrift House Care Home

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside! We have taken full advantage of the warm weather and enjoyed a day at Hunstanton, playing the arcades and enjoying scrumptious fish and chips near the beachfront.

Whether it’s spending our ‘millions’ on 2p machines or patiently attempting to grab that cuddly toy with the claw machine, everyone had a spectacular time conjuring up great memories.
Ann said, "Today's reminded us of our childhoods spent at stunning British beaches when our only worry was running out of rusty coins to put in the machines. What a marvellous day. Thank you".

Residents and staff were ready for England to bring it home at the Euros! Unfortunately, the results weren't what we predicted, but we had an amazing time preparing and watching together. Before kick-off, we had a game of football ourselves and Val was hot on the ball, showing some amazing skills she had picked up from the grandchildren. We all enjoyed decorating the home and reminiscing about past football matches and sports. It wasn't the result we wanted but it was amazing for us all to come together over this amazing game. 

Staff and residents had a fantastic time celebrating World Chocolate Day on July 7, surely one of the best days of the year!

Overseen by Head of Activities, Kat Colangelo, staff and residents enjoyed a selection of different chocolate and sweet treats with a Willy Wonka-themed Afternoon Tea Party. The residents indulge in an assortment of treats from chocolate logs to cupcakes, chocolate fudge cake and even giant lollipops. Throughout the tea party, everyone enjoyed the themed word games, dressing up in various costumes and watching the fabulous film they knew and loved.

General Manager, Paula Colman, said: “It wasn’t just the residents that were excited when we found out there was a World Chocolate Day, the eyes of all our staff lit up too and our minds raced with ideas.  We all had great fun discussing our favourite types of chocolate down the years, it’s amazing how many different chocolate bars and flavours there have been!”

Staff and residents are celebrating because their wonderful Managing Director, Fiona Fagan, from Barchester’s North East and Scotland Division, has stepped completely out of her comfort zone to compete in the Barchester Charitable Foundation Cook Off 2024.

Fiona went head-to-head with the Managing Directors from Barchester’s four other divisions and cooked up a storm to raise a phenomenal £24,595 for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation which helps connect vulnerable people and those living with a disability to community groups in their local area by providing grants to improve mobility and quality of life.  Each year the Foundation distributes thousands of pounds to individuals, small community groups and charities across England, Scotland and Wales.  

Residents across our homes had a fantastic time exploring the Eden Project virtually - an educational charity and visitor attraction based in Cornwall, featuring sprawling outdoor gardens and breathtaking biomes that house the largest indoor rainforest in the world.

During the session, residents who joined were reconnected with nature through their senses, memories and stories.  A big thank you to the community team at the Eden Project for the wonderful event.

Staff at Hickathrift House have opened up their doors to welcome the emergency services personnel in their local area.  As a way of saying thank you to the paramedics, nurses, police officers and other emergency services workers who don’t always have time to go home or back to their workplace on their break, the team and the residents of Hickathrift House Care Home provide free food and drink to all emergency service staff.