Meet our Activities Coordinator, Alison Bradley

My name is Alison, I am the activities coordinator at Maple Leaf Lodge. I have worked here for 10 years. I love my job and creating activities, hosting events and teaching new skills or old skills which the residents may have forgotten, which has driven me to continue to be the very best version of me to bring happiness to the residents.

We understand that the people we support have passions and interests that could be difficult to pursue after moving into a care home – but that doesn’t mean we don’t encourage them to try! Some hobbies can define a person, so our Activities Coordinators are dedicated to ensuring that everyone we support is able to do what makes them happy to the best of their abilities. Social events are organised with individual tastes in mind and with the idea that residents have the opportunity to try new and exciting things.

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 Maple Leaf Lodge Care Home

Jubilee Celebrations

Residents enjoyed a three day celebration weekend to celebrate the Queens Platiunum Jubliee, to start the week the residents joined a virtual event posy making, residents had the opportunity to watch how to make a posy and make their own to decorate the home. The flowers were red, white and blue. The next day the residents watched trooping of the colours, resident Ann use to play in a brass band and would regular play at such events around the county and dressed for the occasion in her union jack dress. We were joined by Melody Flyte and Sue Tinkler to help us to entertain the residents singing, we had all the old time classics, residents were up dancing and waving flags.

Alpaca Cafe

Residents took a trip out to J and J alpaca café in Dry Doddington it was a wonderful day to be out watching the animals we could relax in the café and watch the alpacas while drinking our coffee.

Carers Week

Carers week this year, is being held from 6-12th June and provides and opportunity for us all to recognise, and celebrate the wonderful cares that we have at Maple leaf. On behalf of Barchester, residents today have presented thank you cards for our carers and a selection of delicious chocolates and yummy sweets, for all to enjoy throughout the day. This is just a small token of our appreciation for your extremely important work and dedication.

National Gardening Week

Ever since the first celebration in 2012 this annual event has been growing in popularity. each year their love of gardening, what they have been growing and giving advice to people wanting to start out. residents have had a busy week in and out of the garden the sun hasn't wanted to shine for us this week but we still enjoyed lots of gardening activities. We have been making gardening collages out of old magazines, planting flowers, flower pressing, flower arranging and taking a trip to B&Q, residents have been reminiscing about their own gardens and what they would have really wanted in their garden

Time for a Cuppa

Maple leaf held a time for a cuppa tea morning to raise money for dementia UK. Tea and cake was served all day, we had a wonderful performance from Steve Carmel and everyone was singing and dancing.

Easter Celebrations

Staff and residents at Maple leaf celebrated Easter with a whole host of different activities including an Easter Egg Hunt, attending a church service, Easter tea party, Easter cake-making, Easter Bonnet Competition, the ladies entered Barchester Easter baking competition and won for the central division. The residents took a trip down to the local park to celebrate in the annual duck race and enjoyed an ice cream.

Care Home and Company Awards