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
Hickathrift Administrator Wins Regional Care Accolade
Laura Archer, Administrator at Hickathrift House, has been crowned Administration Champion for the Central Division in the Barchester Care Awards 2017 and is through to the national finals.
The awards celebrate staff and volunteers who go the extra mile for the benefit of individuals living in Barchester's care homes. Categories range from ‘Registered Nurse of the Year’ and ‘Carer of the Year’ to ‘Maintenance Champion’ and ‘Team of the Year’
As the winner for Barchester’s Central Region, Laura is automatically through to the national finals. She will meet a panel of judges in London for the last round of judging and will then join finalists from across the UK at a special awards luncheon in October to celebrate their achievements and discover if they have won a national award.
Fun in the Sun
A heat wave hit and people across the region have been enjoying the warmest weather of the year so far. Naturally, Hickathrift House residents have been making the most of it.
Big parasols have been put up around the outdoor sitting areas for everyone to enjoy. We were truly spoilt on Thursday 25th May, when our local ice cream man, ‘Mr Cash’, stopped by. The ice creams were in high demand and the warm weather has brought with it memories of summers gone by, leading residents to reminisce about their favourite summer holidays.
Long Service Award
Administration Assistant, Kanita Oakey-Kierman, recently received a Long Service Award to celebrate 25 years of working for Barchester Healthcare.
Kanita started at Hickathrift House in April 1992 when she was just 16. working as a weekend Care Assistant. She worked her way up to a Senior Care Assistant after gaining her NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care in October 2004. After starting her family Kanita, joined the administration department and, since then, has worked hard to gain her NVQ level 2 and 3 in Business and Administration. She has and still continues to work with residents and their relatives to ensure that their needs are met.
Jane McFarlane, Head of HR at Barchester, said: “I’m always pleased to hear stories about the long service of Barchester staff and am delighted Kanita has achieved this milestone. It is dedication like this that ensures that the people we support are provided with a happy place to live.”
Jackalynne Shields, General Manager of Hickathrift House, said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating 25 years of loyal service with Hickathrift House. She has demonstrated her dedication and loyalty to this home and its residents year after year. I speak for all of us here when I say that I’m looking forward to many more years of working with Kanita.”
Tickling the Ivories
Resident, Roy Marshall, has been entertaining us all with beautiful music. Everyone loves to hear the organ being played and Roy is very good and even performs at our monthly church service! It's really lovely to hear and Roy is especially good at playing songs from starlight express.
Barchester Care Awards 2017
We are pleased to announce that nominations for the Barchester Care Awards 2017 are now open! These awards celebrate excellence in the quality of care we provide by recognising those individuals that go the extra mile to make a difference to the lives of those we support. It is a fantastic event that we hope as many of you will support.
The categories you can nominate an individual or team for are:
1. Carer of the Year
2. Registered Nurse of the Year
3. Apprentice/Learner of the Year
4. Memory Lane Champion
5. Activities Coordinator of the Year
6. Hospitality Champion
7. Team of the Year
8. Maintenance Champion
9. Home Administration Champion
10. Chef of the Year
11. Barchester’s Charitable Foundation Champion
12. Volunteer of the Year
13. Care Practitioner
Nominations can be placed via our website or via a nomination form which you can request from reception. Nominations are open to all – colleagues, residents, families, friends, volunteers and visitors. Nominations close on 30th April 2017.
Feed the Birds
It's messy work, feeding the birds, as a group of residents discovered on Tuesday 24th January when they made some bird feeders and fat balls to hang around the grounds of the home.
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.
