Activities at Scarborough Hall Care Home

Hi, my name is Mike, and I am the Clinical Development Nurse supporting our Yorkshire homes.  I started my career in care supporting people in the community and then attended Sheffield Hallam University where I completed my Nursing Degree.

Since qualifying, I have been a Nurse, Charge Nurse, Deputy Manager, Home Manager and then a Complex Care Nurse in the community before joining Barchester. Barchester shares my ideals of providing excellent care, and this provides the impetus to use my acquired skills and knowledge to support this.

Residents watched a special VE Day: 80th Anniversary Talk with Pippa Catterall, Professor of History and Policy at University of Westminster. The popular image of VE day is of partying in Trafalgar Square, of spontaneous street parties and bonfires and plenty of singing – and drinking! 

Yet many, no doubt, joined with the King in remembering those who would not come back from the war, as well as those still fighting in the Far East.
In the talk, Pippa Catterall highlighted both the light and dark moments of that momentous day.

Here at Scarborough Hall, the head of hospitality, Iain, was very excited to get back in his brand-new kitchen after the refurb finished last week.  In celebration of this, Iain worked alongside activity members Jess and Sarah to deliver this month’s bespoke-themed dining experience which was Greek-themed in honour of Greek Independence Day earlier in the month. 

Residents enjoyed each other’s company whilst listening to traditional Greek music and tasting the delights of Greece.  Resident Barbara, who recently moved to the home, said:  “I’m so glad the activity team invited me to this event today. It was fabulous to meet some people from the other floors and has made me feel right at home”. 

Residents at Scarborough Hall have had a fabulous time over the Easter period!  We were delighted to take part in the Living Eggs hatching programme and have loved watching the baby chicks grow. 

On Saturday the activity team hosted our annual Easter Egg Hunt in the garden for residents family, team’s and members of the communities children and on Sunday we all enjoyed eating eggs together.  We also had a wonderful time at St James for their Easter event where residents got the chance to make their own Easter crafts to bring back to the home. 

Residents joined a virtual tea tasting session to learn how to brew the perfect cup of tea and enjoy an expert-led tasting experience.

Katharine Parsons, Clipper Tea Channel Ambassador, took us on a journey of Clipper tea, from its beginnings to becoming a leader in natural, fair and delicious teas.
It was a perfect brew-tiful time! 

We have had a very busy day here at Scarborough Hall as we welcomed members of our local community into the home.  Team members and visitors enjoyed treating themselves to some perfumes provided by David and some sweet treats from Ringtons.

David brought along his lovely rescue dog and wonderful wife who was delighted to be able to buy some gifts for her friends and even signed up to be added to the ringtons rounds whilst she was with us! 

Residents were pleasantly surprised to see animals such as lambs, donkeys, chickens, ducks, and dogs on the farm which they were able to visit, as well as having the opportunity to take part in an informative talk and bottle-feeding experience. They also enjoyed having a photo opportunity with the baby lambs before relaxing and unwinding over a hot beverage in the café amidst the idyllic North Yorkshire countryside.

The dedicated and knowledgeable team at Humble Bee even came up with a fantastic idea for next year during the visit, which consists of running an inclusive Dementia-friendly session for care home residents' next lambing season.  
 

Scarborough Hall decided to mark this year’s Pancake Day by taking part in their town’s local annual ‘Skipping Day’ traditions, activity members Jess and Charlotte took part in the town centre Shrove Tuesday Pancake Race hosted by This is the Coast radio station. As per tradition, the rest of the activity team accompanied residents Suzie, Jen and Brian who all went along to show their support.  

All contestants were asked to dress up in fancy dress for the event, the Scarborough Hall girls decided to dress up as ‘Barchy Bear’ which is the mascot for their free monthly intergenerational group hosted at the care home, their next event will be held at the home this Saturday at 2.30pm. The theme for this event is ‘Wear it Purple’ in recognition of International Women’s Day, everyone is welcome to attend no booking required. 
 

Staff and residents at Scarborough Hall welcomed in the Year of the Snake with a day of celebrations and activities.  Inspired by Chinese culture and traditions, residents requested to indulge in a choice of Chinese takeaway for their tea in celebration on Wednesday. 

The activity team ordered an array of Chinese starters to be enjoyed in a taster session style of sharing served alongside our regular tea menu. This was discussed and decided in our December residents meeting where those we care for are offered the opportunity to have their say in the planning of our bespoke life enrichment programme.  
 

Scarborough celebrated Burn’s Night in style as they recreated a traditional Scottish themed atmosphere around the home and themed the day’s activities towards tartan insignia.

Staff and residents at the home were involved in a number of activities, such as creating a Burn’s themed caricature man with the help of our talented maintenance Jon, they then enjoyed a Scottish-themed pop up pub in our coffee bar on Bronte Suite complete with burns poetry quizzes. They then finished off the afternoon with a good old game of bingo, as requested by resident Bria’s friends in our residents meeting earlier in the week.    
 

Across our homes we’ve had the most wonderful time celebrating the festive season with a special screening of 2020’s OLD VIC: IN CAMERA – A Christmas Carol. 

This beautifully staged production brought the magic of Dickens’ classic tale right into our homes. A huge thank you to The Old Vic theatre for sharing this incredible performance with us. It was a truly wonderful experience. 
 

Staff and residents across our homes were treated to an interactive virtual Christmas-inspired table decorating masterclass, courtesy of talented master florist, Kathryn Delve.  

Kathryn is an independent florist based in Somerset, she specialises in creating unique wedding and event flowers.  She takes much of her inspiration for her displays from the beautiful scenery that surrounds her home and the changing seasons and colours.

During the workshop, residents were invited to join Kathryn to make beautiful Christmas-themed table decorations. 
 

Residents across our services had a lovely time joining Emily and Marie-Therese from the Wallace Collection, for a virtual introduction to Reubens' Rainbow Landscape.

Residents truly enjoyed the sensory walk through one of the museum’s most famous landscape paintings.

Everyone who joined had a wonderful experience and can’t wait to put their creative skills to the test by painting some landscapes of our their in the coming days!
 

Residents across our services had a fantastic time enjoying the virtual screening of Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. Frank Spencer’s comical misadventures had everyone laughing and it was wonderful to see so many happy faces. 

Thank you to everyone who joined us and a special thanks to The Barn Theatre in the Cotswolds for bringing this stage adaptation of the beloved sitcom to our screens.