Activities at Leeming Bar Grange Care Home

The Queen recently celebrated her second, and official birthday. This year there was an extra incentive to join in the festivities as residents were asked to design a birthday cake in honour of Her Majesty’s birthday as part of a Barchester Healthcare competition. The chosen cake design was then whipped into reality by the homes’ chef and enjoyed by residents and staff on the Queen’s special day.

Residents were also treated to a very special party, Residents put on their tiaras and enjoyed a dance and sing-a-long to some British classics before sitting back to enjoy a glass of chardonnay with strawberries and nibbles before lighting the candles on the cake to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to her Majesty. Residents tuned in to watch a Royal Salute from the military, led by The Welsh Guard and Massed Bands of the Household Division, which replaced the Trooping the Colour after it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Residents at Leeming Bar Grange hosted their very first Bake off challenge to the delight of everyone!   This month’s challenge was creating the perfect Swiss roll, donning their apron’s out came the wooden spoons as they set off to create their Swiss rolls to present to the judging panel to cast their eyes over and get those taste buds tingling!

There were many creative entrants from lemon meringue, mouth-watering passion fruit, popping candy and carrot cake just a few.  After much deliberation the winner was declared – the passion fruit with the winner receiving a hand decorated star baker award and a bottle of wine for their efforts.  What will they whip up next?  

Here at Leeming Bar, we passed a recent Care Quality Commission inspection with an overall “Good” rating after being praised for a responsive, safe, effective, caring and well-led service.  The CQC inspected our home on 09th March 2020 (the report was released on 10th April) and rated the home, run by Barchester Healthcare, as “Good” overall.

The report stated that, “Staff knew about people's individual care needs and people said they received good support. People were involved in all aspects of their care and were always asked for their consent before staff undertook support tasks. Communication was effective. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice”

In celebration of the rating and to thank each member of the team for their contributions to the home, each team member was presented with £100 gift voucher in appreciation of their hard work.  Michelle, our General Manager said: “We are delighted that Leeming Bar Grange was rated ‘Good’ overall following the CQC’s most recent inspection. The team at Leeming Bar Grange always strive to provide the best possible quality care for everyone who lives at the home.”

Resident’s at Leeming Bar Grange had a fantastic time celebrating VE Day. In the lead up to the main day, they created bunting and decorated home-made shortbread and buns. Residents also enjoyed a 3 course meal together, which included a firm favourite, traditional feast of homemade fish and chips. There was lots of singing and reminiscing throughout the day, and the team visited the residents in their rooms to serenade them with wartime favourite, ‘We’ll Meet Again', much to the delight of everyone.

At 3.00pm, the home joined the nation in raising a glass, and enjoyed a slice of homemade VE Day-themed cake made by our super talented chef, Janet! Residents also received a VE Day goody bag filled with sweet treats. 

Residents of Leeming Bar have been delighted each time they receive some beautiful handmade cards and messages from their loved ones and members of the community through their pen-pal initiative.

The residents have loved reading the messages in the cards and they have been displayed proudly in the home. As part of their recent arts & craft sessions, residents have been creating cards and messages to show and send to their loved ones; it is amazing how a simple letter, short story, poem or even a photo or drawing can brighten someone’s day.

Staff at Leeming Bar are multi-talented, and the Receptionist swapped roles with the the hairdresser for the day. One resident had her hair done and nails painted so that she could look her best for her Skype call with her daughter.

It’s always a lovely treat to be pampered, and our residents deserve it. We do our best to provide a wide range of activities and entertainment at the home as part of the lifestyle enrichment programme for residents, and this one was our most fashionable one!

Living in a care home doesn’t put a stop to celebrating life, and our engaging activities are designed to be enjoyed by all who want to join in.