Care homes and elderly care from Barchester Healthcare

Meet our Activities Coordinator, Lynne Loughlin

I started my career with Barchester as a Carer, with 5 years experience in the care sector previously. I have also achieved an NVQ in Hospitality and, in April of 2014, I assumed the role of Senior Activities Coordinator at this home.

We all know that keeping active is important and that's why my team and I are here – to ensure that residents experience an environment that is both stimulating and socially active. The home has its own minibus for our numerous trips out to various local places of interest.

My aim is to make sure there is something for everyone here; I create a monthly schedule that is packed with many different types of activities, from musical entertainment to sensory stimulation and much more.

I am focused on building up our volunteer base, including family members and students from the local school. Each volunteer will receive a warm welcome to our Barchester family. We are building relationships with our local communities and integrating them into our home as well.

We are trying to educate people about dementia by raising awareness within the community. We already have relationships with the local Beaver Scout Group and primary schools, in addition to other organisations.

I am proud to work for Barchester and to be a part of a very important service.

Activities at Iddenshall Hall

Activities here at Iddenshall Hall are an integral part of every day life for each of our residents. We strive to include as many of our residents as possible with the activities schedule. Our Schedule is released monthly and includes activities such as poetry afternoons, indoor games, Bingo, flower arranging, pamper days, quizzes, exercises, various musicians and entertainers, Pat Dog Visits, Music Therapy, discussion groups and trips out in our minibus to local places of interest and further afield to see the Blackpool Lights or to Knowsley Safari Park.

We are constantly asking the people who live in our home which events they would like to see taking place and we endeavor to fulfill these requests. Our aim is to provide a varied and packed schedule which allows for a vast array of skill bases and capabilities. We are in constant contact with local groups and businesses, the local Beaver Scout group are always happy to pay a visit to our home, helping with the garden or coming at Christmas to sing carols for us. We also have a small group of volunteers to help us, including pupils from our local 6th form College who visit once a week.

All the above helps ensure the lives of our Residents are fun and fulfilled.

Life at our home

Cupcake Day

We celebrated Cupcake Day at Iddenshall Hall by decorating some delicious cupcakes. Residents sat in the dining room and enjoyed being creative with their cream, cherries, desiccated coconut, chocolate sprinkles and coloured strands. After they were decorated, the cupcakes were shared amongst residents and staff for sampling – and they went down a treat!

Mocktail Afternoon

John, our Head Chef, prepared martini glasses with sugar rims and filled them with delicious fruit juices and syrups, then the residents added cherries and umbrellas before enjoying the refreshing beverages. Staff were also there to join in and sample the Mocktails themselves, and residents said that it was a very special treat.

Falling with Style

Senior Activities Coordinator, Lynne Loughlin, did a skydive on 10th June to raise money for residents at Beeston View and Iddenshall Hall. It was a beautiful day and the jump was absolutely incredible.

Thank you to everyone who supported her with kind donations – it was worth it!

Movie Night

We continue to enjoy movie nights every week at Beeston View. Residents will choose which film they would like to watch each week and we provide snacks and refreshments for them to enjoy whilst they relax together in the lounge after tea to socialise and then to enjoy the movie.

Most recently, residents chose to watch Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which went down well and provided a chance for a sing along too!

Games Afternoon

We have been making the most of the lovely sunshine by holding games afternoons in the courtyard at Iddenshall Hall. We have enjoyed dominoes and games of eye spy, as well as conversations about holidays, favourite locations and the wildlife that we see every day.

Eyes Down

We have been joining Beeston View for regular bingo sessions. It is proving to be a popular afternoon and the staff are joining in and playing with us. We will continue this activity throughout the summer.