Activities at North Park Care Home
Our home is always full of life, and we can thank our wonderful Activities Coordinators for this. Dedication to creating a unique and interesting activities programme is what sets us apart from other homes. We always take into consideration that some people would prefer to pursue their own interests, which is why our team strive to incorporative activities that cater to a wide range of tastes and hobbies. Our trips out are always fun and exciting as well, and residents are guaranteed to return with stories to tell their loved ones!
Claire Liddy
Hi, my name is Claire, and I am Lead Activities Coordinator at North Park. I have 15 years’ experience in the role, three years at North Park and absolutely love my job. I like to involve the local community in events within the home, so we have connections with local churches, schools and community groups. We have a PAT dog that visits weekly, so our residents can enjoy pet therapy, and lots of external entertainers, who come into the home regularly as well; in addition to fairs, monthly coffee morning and so much more.
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 North Park Care Home
Resident Enjoys Knit and Natter Group
North Park Care Home, in Darlington have invited members of their local community to join them for free knit and natter workshops at the home, held each Monday morning in the home's beautiful lounge.
Resident, Mrs Kaur has always enjoyed knitting, sewing and has made many of her own clothes. Since becoming a resident at North Park, Mrs Kaur has never missed a Knit and Natter group and is currently finishing off a long scarf for her daughter. Mrs Kaur is over the moon that it will be finished in time to give it before the forecasted snow arrives next week. The weekly Knit and Natter group is a perfect opportunity to catch up with friends over a cup of tea and the home welcomes members of the community to join them.
General Manager Daniel Hart said: “We started this project for elderly people in the community who might want some time outside of the home and to make some new friends. We also wanted to make a space for those who spend their time taking care of others to have a little respite of their own, we know a cup of tea and a friendly ear can go a long way.”
Reminiscence Afternoon
During a reminiscence afternoon, Margaret told the story of how her grandmother, followed by her mother and then by Margaret herself always kept the best china either away in the back of a cupboard, on show on a dresser and later in a China cabinet.
Margaret and other residents explained that this was done in case the King or Queen popped in for afternoon tea! We all had a good laugh about this and ended our afternoon with a cuppa in our best china cups. Sadly the Queen did not attend on this occasion.
Home Receives Good Rating
North Park 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 the home and rated it as “Good” overall.
Daniel Hart, General Manager at North Park said: “We are delighted that North Park was rated ‘Good’ overall following the CQC’s most recent inspection. The team at North Park always strive to provide the best possible quality care for everyone who lives at the home.”
Christmas Party
Residents, families and friends come together at North Park for a fantastic Christmas party. The kitchen laid out a scrumptious buffet tea for residents and guests to enjoy whilst partaking in their favourite tipple, or two. Everyone enjoyed singing to their favourite Christmas songs and watched as others had a dance to the likes of Slades Merry Xmas Everybody.
As the evening wore on the conversation flowed and Santa himself! Made an appearance to end what everyone agreed was a wonderful evening.
Christmas Carol Performance
On 6th December two of our residents joined forces with residents from care homes and sheltered accommodations in Darlington to put on a Christmas Carol performance at Bondgate Methodist Church. The afternoon was a great success and attended by members of the community, family and friends.
Our residents had been rehearsing for three weeks in preparation for the event and afterwards enjoyed cups of tea and coffee with mince pies. Members of the public mingled with the choir with one lady saying it had been the perfect way to kick start Christmas.
Postcards of Kindness
Residents Jessie and Kathleen spent the afternoon replying to some of the postcards we have received over the past couple of weeks from the postcards of kindness group. Residents have enjoyed receiving postcards from all over the UK, holiday resorts across Europe and we even received one from the other side of the world Perth, Australia.
Our residents enjoy looking at the pictures, and reading or hearing what people have been doing. Residents have enjoyed hearing from school children who make their own cards and write a little message as well as scout groups one of which, The 6th Bruce St Scouts from Sterling, have kept in regular contact much to the delight of our residents with Scottish roots.
At the end of the afternoon Kathleen said “ I have really enjoyed myself doing this, it has cheered me up no end”. Jessie said she didn’t think she would know what to write when she first started but found she had a lot to say once she got in to the swing.
Upcoming events
Meeting Room for Hire
Are you looking for a venue? Look no further! North Park is also close to local amenities and not far from the A1.
Could you be a Volunteer?
We recognise the impact a Volunteer can make on the lives of our residents, do you have any spare time? For more information we'd love to hear from you.
Emergency Services - Take a break on us!
Calling all emergency services personnel - police, ambulance and fire services, district nurses - come and take a break on us, there maybe a cake or two available....
