Activities at Queens Manor Care Home
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.
Shannon Cullen
Hi, my name is Shannon and I am Head of Lifestyle and Enrichment here at Queens Manor. I have come to Queens Manor with 6 years of experience in the planning, activities and events sector.
I ensure that myself and the team get to know each resident's preferences so that we can deliver a person-centred programme of events and activities within the home - Including activities that positively impact physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. I strongly believe that creating great moments and memories for our residents and embracing their individuality with tailor made activities is the way forward.
In an era of developing technologies, we are using new ways of reaching out to family and friends - though Zoom, Skype and Facebook Portal. We hope that our residents never feel alone or too far away from their loved ones this way. Each day I like to ensure that our residents enjoy themselves in a calm, stimulating and fun environment, whilst creating bonds with each other and staff.
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 Queens Manor Care Home
Jelly Drops
After being in contact with Lewis, the creator of Jelly Drops for over 6 months now, we finally got him up to Scotland to do a presentation on his phenomenal product.
Jelly Drops are a water-based hydration sweet, first developed as Lewis' university project, inspired by his own grandmother, who was, as he put it, his ‘chief research officer’. Each Jelly Drop is around 15ml of water and were created to encourage fluid intake for elderly people who may not be getting enough fluids.
While Lewis and the Jelly Drops team were up, he met with Barchester's Director of Dementia Care, Caroline Baker, who was very excited for the future of Jelly Drops and their potential use in Barchester homes and hospitals.
Community Naming Competition
Before opening, we held a competition for naming our four communities, and the Flying Colours nursery were one of the winners.
They chose 'Barnton Grove', as a lot of the children live around that area and thought that maybe the residents would like to live there too.
They came into the community after opening to have their photo taken besides the plaque.
Valentine's Day
On Valentine's Day, Queens Manor was visited by our local nursery.
The children came to make Valentine's cards for their families. We had a wonderful time with feathers, gems and a lot of glitter, and the cards were beautiful! .
Craig, our Head Chef, made freshly home-baked cookies for everyone and, after finishing all the cards, we all sat and enjoyed our cookies whilst admiring our wonderful creations.
Whiskey Tasting
We had a wonderful time sampling a selection of Scottish whiskeys and learning about how they are made. We were all surprised with how much there was to learn about one of Scotland’s most famous exports.
VIP Opening
Care home staff and guests were delighted when Frank Ross, Edinburgh's Right Honourable Lord Provost, officially opened Edinburgh’s newest care home, Queens Manor on Queensferry Road, by unveiling a plaque at a recent opening ceremony.
The Lord Provost greeted residents and guests, and gave a speech before unveiling the plaque, marking the formal opening of the home. During their visit, invited guests were given tours of the home, and were treated to a selection of refreshments as well as entertainment throughout the home, including live music from a string quartet and a singing performance from a choir.
Queens Manor will provide personalised residential and dementia care for 60 people within the city of Edinburgh. Since the launch of their show suites, the home has been hosting events for the local community, including life drawing classes, Zumba, whisky tastings, and a special talk on innovations in dementia care by creator of Jelly Drops, Lewis Hornby. The home also recently installed a ‘Magic Table’ the Tovertafel, a table-based digital learning tool that promotes stimulation and cognitive challenges through specialised games for people living with dementia.
Handover of Keys
General Manager, Lucy Duffin, was delighted to accept the keys to Queens Manor from the Project Construction Manager, Jock Aide, at construction company Mclaughlin & Harvey, who toasted the event with a glass of bubbly.
During the build, more than 55,000 bricks were laid, 2,100 energy-saving light bulbs fitted, and, in addition to 500m² of turf, 3,000 plants, trees and shrubs were used to create the landscaped grounds.
