Meet our Lifestyle Enrichment Coordinator, Suzy Cardoso

Hello, my name is Suzy and I am Lifestyle, Head of Department here at Queens Manor!

I have a degree in performing arts which really helps when it comes to entertaining the residents and getting the creative juices flowing! I’m also a qualified Zumba Gold Instructor which is a fun and energetic way to make sure everybody’s keeping up with exercise. I love getting to know each resident and then planning ideas and schedules in line with what we know will give them most enjoyment and I get so much satisfaction from being part of a team who facilitate such a warm and safe environment where we can support our residents in carrying on doing the things they love and even discover new hobbies.

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.

Life at Queens Manor Care Home

Residents stay connected

Residents are overjoyed at Queens Manor care home in Edinburgh, as Barchester Healthcare has implemented a designated visiting room for residents to continue to spend time with their loved ones for the autumn and winter seasons in addition to the outdoor visiting that has been on offer for those able for many months.

Balancing resident wellbeing and safety is at the forefront of Barchester Healthcare’s thinking and they understand how important it is for residents and their family and friends to be able to spend time together in the safest way possible.

Smell the flowers

Resident Priscilla has always been so passionate about flower arrangement. Back home she used to do flower arrangements just for fun, a gift to friends, family and neighbours.

Priscilla says ‘ I had such a big garden, full of beautiful flowers… it used to give me a lot of joy to create these arrangements to give away’

Lifestyle Coordinator Gillian, went out and bought flowers and oasis and made sure there was plenty of flowers available.

We instantly thought, Priscilla can be the master creator of it all, so alongside lifestyle enrichment team we created a flower arrangement activity.

Priscilla was given flowers the day before so she could create a ‘flower arrangement model’. All residents have really loved getting these arranged and you can see in the photograph Priscilla with her own arrangement.

It has been requested for these to become a regular activity and what we do is raffle the arrangements! So keep an eye out, next week it might be your name that gets selected and you can have a beautiful arrangement in your room.

Residents stay continue to stay connected

Residents are overjoyed at Queens Manor care home in Edinburgh as Barchester Healthcare has implemented a designated visiting room for residents to continue to spend time with their loved ones for the autumn and winter seasons in addition to the outdoor visiting that has been on offer for those able for many months.

There has been much careful planning and preparation for this moment by Barchester Healthcare, who run Queens Manor care home. It was welcome news for their residents and family and friends as we enter the colder season meaning catch-ups can continue to take place, instead of, or in addition to, outdoor visiting already offered for those able.

Residents enjoy roaring 20's for Awards party

A fantastic day spent celebrating the Barchester Care Awards with a 1920’s themed party at Queens Manor Care Home.

Michael Shaw has won the award for Carer of the Year in the North Division. Residents at Queens Manor Care Home, were so happy & proud of his amazing achievement.

The staff and residents went above and beyond to dress up and match the theme of the roaring twenties! Here you can see, Priscilla & Doris, ready for the occasion and looking forward to a glass of champagne.

General Manager, Sharon McGowan says- ‘It was a great day for residents & the team to get together & celebrate!’

Head of Unit, Michael Shaw says- ‘It was awesome to be nominated, had a great time with staff & the residents with a glass of prosecco or two!’

Lifestyle Coordinator, Suzy says. ‘The residents were so looking forward to a dress up party! The pearls, the glitter & the glam – it was a perfect day for all’

Outdoor fun

Residents at Queens Manor love being outdoors… a few months ago we started a walking club, hoping to achieve 500 miles be the end of 2020, and guess what we are nearly there! On average we do 1000 steps a day around the gardens, some of our walkers are keen gardeners and wild life enthusiasts. Our residents squirrels and bird life are increase because they are very well fed with Queens Manor’s standard of bird food, which is of course 5 stars!

You can see Myra enjoying the mature trees and Arlene posing surrounded by nature. Our advice is to go outdoors and spend at least 30 minutes of your day, exercise and enjoying the environment and fresh air.

Macmillan Coffee Morning held at Queens Manor

The world’s biggest coffee morning, Queens Manor residents were delighted to be part of this national event. With fun stickers received from the Macmillan pack… ‘best baker’, ‘craving cake’, and many more fun messages…

A relaxed morning, where residents guessed how many sprinkles are in ‘Collin, The Caterpillar cake’... the winner will be selected in a week’s time & they will win chocolates & wine!