Activities at Newington Court Care Home
Our Activities Coordinator here at Newington Court constantly strives to mentally and physically stimulate those we support in our home. We have our own minibus enabling residents to go shopping, to the local garden centre, out for fish and chips, and for boat trips in the summer. We also have regular visits from the PAT dog, musicians and entertainers. We hold cheese and wine evenings for residents and their families and our residents attend services at the local school for Remembrance Day and Christmas. The junior school also come in and sing for our residents at Christmas. The residents also attended a Christmas Party held at a local Grammar School hosted by the students.
Jo English
I joined Newington Court in September 2021. After working as a Carer in September 2022 I became the Lead Activities Co-coordinator. It is a pleasure to care for our residents and make sure that their needs are met to the highest standards. Every day is different but it is a very rewarding job and gives a great sense of satisfaction. I am looking forward to ensuring that our residents are getting an enriched lifestyle and by getting to know them on a one-to-one basis making sure that we cater to everyone’s needs and interests.
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 Newington Court Care Home
Cupid's Art
We have been doing arts and crafts in readiness for Valentine’s Day. Residents have been busy making photo frames that will be used for our own pop-up photo booth. As not everyone has their own ‘Valentine’, we chose to make ‘self love’ frames with inspirational messages: ‘Love yourself’; ‘Be yourself’; ‘Be proud of who you are’.
We are all looking forward to celebrating Valentine’s Day with lots of activities.
A Soothing Hand
We have been experimenting with some new activities here at Newington Court. Most recently was massage and relaxation – appealing to the senses with smell, sound and sight. This activity is aimed at those who do move their hands and legs so easily. As well as being relaxing for some, it was very gentle physical therapy.
Santa Visits Newington Court
Santa arrived at Newington Court for the Christmas Fair. The children told him their Christmas wishes and received a present ahead of the big day whist their mums and dads browsed the variety of craft stalls.
There was a tombola stall and raffle including a special raffle for a Christmas cake. After carol singing the residents and families enjoyed a Christmas afternoon tea.
Halloween
The children from Cherries Pre-School came to visit us for our Halloween celebrations. There was some pumpkin carving and a new twist on an old party favourite: pass the parcel with a pumpkin! Our staff dressed up to enter the ‘best dressed’ competition, which was won jointly by our Activities Coordinator, Yvonne, and Katie, a Senior Carer.
Celebrating 50 Years
We celebrated the 50th wedding anniversary of our resident, David, along with his wife, Chris. David has been with us since June 2018 and is a well-loved resident on the ground floor. An afternoon tea with entertainment by the wonderful Trevor was organised for all of our residents to attend to celebrate this milestone with them.
Back in Time
Reminiscence isn’t always about pictures or smells or even music; Activities Coordinator, Lyn, took one of our residents, June, to the house she was born in and lived in until she was 18, when she left to go to university.
June was a primary school teacher and taught at Rodmersham school, including the two daughters of the couple they met during their trip out of the home. June’s father bought the farm and she was raised there with her two sisters. In 1970, her Father sold the house to the couple, who still live there today. June’s father planted the cherry tree shown in the photo as part of an orchard.
