Meet our Activities Coordinator, Rebecca Clark

I have been working at Mount Vale since 2013; I absolutely love my job, especially meeting all residents and their families. We have lots of events, such as fetes art exhibitions and open days. We always endeavour to involve the local community, so schools and colleges will often visit the home. We have lots of external entertainers and enjoy regular pet therapy sessions, including a PAT dog, who will often stop by to spend some quality time with residents.

Activities at Mount Vale

Our specialist activities staff are committed to organising a mix of activities and events for residents and the local community to get involved in, including trips out to local places of interest in our minibus and visits from PAT dogs, entertainers and musicians. It is important to us that each individual who we support can get as much from these as possible, so we try our best to arrange activities that reflect their interests and capabilities as best as possible, and encourage them to participate in any way they can. We also encourage relatives to join with activities and events as often as they can.

Life at our home

Christmas Carol Event

Northallerton Choir came in recently to take part in our first Christmas Carol event. It was a great success and everyone really enjoyed it.

World Kindness Day

Staff and residents at Mount Vale were surprised as local nursery had a great time spreading the love on World Kindness Day, which was celebrated on 13th November 2019. The nursery children handed out lots of flower posies to us and some of our residents. Was so lovely, it reduced us all to tears!

The children wanted to show their kindness and appreciation to residents and staff working at the home by preparing a surprise for them. Being nice and helping others makes for a much more pleasant environment, no matter where you are and, remember, it doesn’t cost a thing!

Resident Enjoys Make-over

Molly, resident at Mount Vale recently enjoyed a beauty day at local department store, Barkers, where she was treated to a free beauty make-over as part of her shopping trip. Molly had a wonderful morning as the beauticians showed her a range of beauty kits to pamper and beautify all those ladies out there. Once make up was done Molly enjoyed a browse through the rails of clothing taking in all the latest fashions.

Helen Lewis General Manager said: “It’s always a lovely treat to be pampered, and Molly deserve it. We do our best to provide a wide range of activities and entertainment at Mount Vale as part of the lifestyle enrichment programme for residents, and this one was our most fashionable fun! 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 both in and out of the home.

Doctor David Visits Local School

Dr David Hughes, our home ambassador, has been getting involved with lots of our community events. 'Dr David' (as he likes to be called) has recently welcomed the local fire service into the home for a coffee and a chat.

He has also been working with the Hambleton & Richmondshire pupil referral service. The young students have been coming into the home, along with their tutors, and meeting our residents, which they all really enjoy.

The youngsters are hosting different events around the town and are helping us to fundraise for a ‘Tovertafel’ magic interactive table. On this occasion, Dr David visited the school, where pupils asked questions regarding his career and even baked his favourite fruit cake!

The children were also interested in Dr David’s work as an anaesthetist, and they invited him to visit their school and give him a look around. All the children came to see Dr David when he arrived and enjoyed asking questions about his life and career, and were fascinated.

Mr Motivator

A combination of music and exercise has put a smile on residents' faces at Mount Vale, as General Manager, Helen Lewis, got involved with their weekly chair exercise held by ‘Mr Motivator’.

Residents were very enthusiastic throughout the session and commented on how great it was to laugh and smile whilst keeping fit. Everyone was rewarded for their efforts with healthy snacks and refreshments. General Manager, Helen Lewis said: “Seated exercise is such a great way to improve our Resident’s wellbeing, and I could not resist joining in as I passed and it’s even better to see them having such a wonderful time doing it!” Exercise therapy sessions are just one of the variety of regular activities available for Residents to enjoy at Mount Vale.