Activities at Newlands Care Home

Activities within our home are tailored around the requests of residents. Our Activities Coordinator holds regular activity meetings to seek new thoughts and ideas. The home is committed to offering a varied range of activities for all residents, from hand and nail care to gardening for those who have green fingers. We carry out reminiscence activities, including planned entertainment days, bringing the seaside into the home or dance hall meetings.

We hold strong links with the community, especially schools and local children's sports teams, who visit the home to provide entertainment and engagement with residents. We also maintain relationships with the church to ensure that residents’ spiritual beliefs are met. Externally, we have our own minibus, and outings are planned and carried out, again tailored to residents’ preferences, whether it be shopping, visits to the local pub, tea and coffee afternoons, or a scenic day out in the lakes and lovely countryside that surrounds us. However, the fun does not stop at the residents we care for, but we also hold events to involve family and the wider community.

Enriching life
Watch our video on life enrichment in our homes.

Hlabekile Nyoni (Nayoni)

Activity Coordinator

Hlabekile Nyoni known by everyone as "Nayoni" is the Activities Co-Ordinator at Newlands Care Centre as of  December 2023.  Hlabekile joined the Barchester team in August  2023 on a part time basis  then later became  fulltime at the end of December 2023.

 "Nayoni" says, ‘ I love sharing my ideas and knowledge to make residents life at Newlands enjoyable and memorable for them  and their families. Each day is a different day and each resident is different therefore I always put that into consideration when coming up with activities that can suit each individual. I am so glad to work with a great team throughout the home, from housekeeping, clinical, care, kitchen, maintenance, admin and managers all play a pivotal role in my work. With my strong artistic  background I find it easier to come up with creative ideas. I love my job here at Newlands.

Life-encriching activities booklet

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 Newlands Care Home

Remembrance Sunday

Remembrance Sunday is a day to commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts.   During the day, our residents enjoyed putting a remembrance display together, with their own handmade wreaths and poppies, which turned out beautifully.  We enjoyed a special church service to honour veterans and armed forces members who have died in the line of duty and we read some war poems.

Spooky treats at Newlands

We celebrated Spooky Season this year with a wicked Halloween party where there were definitely more treats than tricks. Here are just a few snaps from Monday night. . now where are those Christmas decorations….

Flower power

There’s nothing like some colour and a smile.  Some fresh, spring-like flowers to brighten everyone up after a rather wet and windy autumnal week.  Can you spot our little mascot “Barkchester” in the background?

Edinburgh Botanical Garden

Our homes enjoyed a wonderful virtual tour of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh with Community Engagement Manager, Charlotte Walker, and Botanic Cottage Operations Co-ordinator, Laura Gallagher.

The residents were thrilled to learn more about the history of the beautiful Garden, which is now a home to an impressive plant collection from around the world.

Charlotte and Laura also gave a demonstration of making fresh herbal tea and were happy to answer our questions.  The virtual experience was truly enjoyed by all who joined.

Beautiful bouquets

Our homes had a fantastic time joining members of the Wallace Collection for an amazing sensory session.

During the live virtual experience, our residents explored one of the museum’s most beautiful Dutch flower paintings and learnt new drawing techniques.

We cannot wait to put our creative skills to a test and produce beautiful paintings of our own.

Everyone enjoyed the lovely talk, we all had lots of fun and it’s given us plenty of ideas.

Summer BBQ

Residents and staff have enjoyed this afternoon's BBQ and garden games despite the not so nice weather!  Residents enjoyed the tasty treats especially prepared by the homes hospitality team.  

Upcoming events

Come dine with your loved one

We know meal times are important and we extend a warm invitation for you to join your loved one. For more information get in touch.

Dominoes Club

Come and enjoy our Friday Dominoes Club and make new friends over a cup of tea and slice of homemade cake.