Activities at Hickathrift House Care Home
We have two Activities Coordinators here at Hickathrift House. We have a wide range of activities within the home, including musical entertainment, arts & crafts, clubs for like-minded people, such as flower arranging and gardening, board games, baking (where the best bit is the eating afterwards!), and we celebrate special events throughout the year. We also have trips out on a regular basis using our own minibus, where we find out places of interest each person would like to visit.
It is important to us that each individual who we support can get as much from these activities as possible, so we try our best to arrange activities that reflect their interests and capabilities, and encourage them to participate in any way they can. We also encourage relatives to join in with activities and events as often as they can.
For the less mobile residents, we unique one-to-one session, such as simple chats over a cup of tea, reading or listening to music. Activities are some 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 Hickathrift House is fun and active.
Kat Colangelo
Hello, my name is Kat and I am the Activities Lead here at Hickathrift House.
Since 2017 I have been working in the field of well-being and I am passionate and enthusiastic about enriching all our of residents' quality of life.
As the Activities Lead at Hickathrift House, my focus is learning about each of our resident's likes and dislikes and supporting them to remain receptive and active in addition to supporting them to engage with our local community friends.
I organise activities to stimulate the mind, body and soul in an enjoyable, comfortable way. My aim is to diversify and increase activities ensuring that there is something for everyone - from Wine and Cheese events, excursions on our home Mini Bus as well as individual bespoke person-centered activities.
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 Hickathrift House Care Home
Easter Pilgrim Cross
We had two lovely groups of people from the Midlands Leg and Kettering Leg join us this morning on their Easter pilgrimage. They were walking for 5 days before resting at Hickathrift House and on Good Friday they finally completed their journey at Walsingham Abbey.
Residents enjoyed buttering the hot cross buns and welcoming the groups inside for a nice warm drink and Easter treat. Everyone was chatting away about their journey and upcoming Easter celebrations as well as singing a few hymns as a group.
We wished the groups safe travels for the rest of their journey and a thank you for stopping by for the delightful conversations.
Happy Easter Sunday
We'd like to wish everyone a Happy Easter Sunday from our home to yours. Residents, their loved ones and staff had a wonderful day together.
We started off by visiting the local Methodist Church for their moving Easter service and donated the beautiful flower arrangements residents made on Saturday. Residents had a scrumptious Easter lunch with themed Easter dining decor. In the afternoon we were joined by the incredible Kj & the Catt for our Easter Party! The beautiful singing and dancing was loved by all.
Hunstanton Soapbox Derby
The Hunstanton Soapbox Derby returned with a whole range of themed go-karts for its 70th anniversary on the 2nd of April.
An unlikely entry was the ‘Hickathrift Racer’ a caravan-shaped kart, submitted by Hickathrift House care home. All month excitement has been building at Barchester’s Hickathrift House care home in Wisbech as staff and residents have been busy decorating with hand prints and went on a day trip in the home’s minibus to watch their kart race in the Hunstanton Soap Box Derby.
Activities Lead, Kat Colangelo, explained, “The reason why we selected decorative leaves using painted handprints is that the Barchester Healthcare logo is a leaf and residents wanted to not only symbolise our home but residents and staff around the country. Everyone’s been involved in this project from decorating to getting sponsorship. The residents were thrilled when we were done and loved watching it fly down the course.”
Residents visit Fenland Baby Bank
Excitement was building at Barchester’s Hickathrift House care home in Wisbech as staff and residents went on a day trip in the home’s minibus to visit Fenland Family & Baby Bank.
Rachel Green, the owner of Fenland Family & Baby Bank, had previously worked at Hickathrift House Care Home in 1994, primarily in the dementia care community. Rachel said, “I loved working at Hickathrift House and I am so glad I can continue to support residents in living a life full of happiness and support”.
Planned by the home’s Activities Coordinator Kat Colangelo, staff and residents from the Memory Lane community at Hickathrift House which is especially designed for residents living with dementia, went to Fenland Family & Baby Bank to spark memories of motherhood and select new sensory items for the homes parenthood sensory area. The residents were able to pick their favourite items, reminisce about their own children and grandchild and share stories with staff.
Red Nose Day
Residents, Staff and Visitors at Hickathrift House Care Home have been raising awareness and funds for Comic Relief's Red Nose Day!
Comic Relief is a major UK charity, with a vision of a just world, free from poverty. Residents have put on their favourite red noses and taken photos to share with you in the hope it'll raise awareness for this wonderful charity. We spent the morning learning about the history of Red Noses and reminiscing about fundraising events.
Downham Market Heritage Centre Outing
What a fantastic trip to the local heritage site in Downham Market. We learnt so much about local history and schools, from their current exhibition, "The Best Years of Your Life". The interactive elements made us all giggle and we enjoyed reminiscing over a cuppa tea at the end.
Brian said, "I really liked coming here. I've learnt so much. I can't wait to go back again to see their next exhibition about railways".
Upcoming events
Spring Fair
Come and join us at our annual Spring Fair - there is lots for everyone!
Newsletter - March
We are delighted to share our newsletter - March / Easter edition.
May
May is the gateway to summer and we have lots of fun filled activities planned - all welcome.
Dementia Cafe - 3rd Friday of the month
We extend a warm invitation for you to join us at our monthly dementia cafe.
Knit and Natter - Bi-monthly
Do you enjoy knitting? Come along and make new friends at our bi monthly Knit and Natter group - all welcome.
Gentleman's Club - Last Sunday of the month
Come along and enjoy a variety of activities over a beverage or two! Make new friends - all welcome.
Emergency Services - Take a break on us!
Calling all emergency personnel! Come and take a break on us - there may be a cake or two available!
Coffee Morning
We extend a warm invitation for you to join us at our monthly Coffee Morning - make new friends and enjoy a slice of homemade cake.
Volunteer Coffee Morning - every Tuesday
We recognise the special impact volunteers can have on the lives of our residents and we hope you can join us.
