Activities at Strachan House Care Home

We have a special, long standing relationship with nearby Blackhall Primary School and love our visits.

Residents and pupils have been getting together every fortnight for activities such as arts & crafts, singing, dancing and sharing stories of the past and present, allowing residents to take a trip memory lane and make new friends.

This week, pupils and residents were making sure flying visitors to Strachan House’s beautiful gardens are well looked after this winter by making lots of birdfeeders together.

Many pupils who visit us do not have grandparents and time spent getting to know our residents is very valuable to them. We are also warmly welcomed at the school for seasonal events, including the upcoming carol service which we’re so looking forward to. Being part of the community is an essential part of life here and we cherish our friendship with Blackhall Primary School dearly.

Canine Concern Scotland Trust was formed in 1988 to promote research into the therapeutic value of dogs to patients or others isolated from normal association with pets. Every year they hold their annual awards to celebrate Therapets, their owners, organisers and fundraisers. This year we're delighted to see Rhum and Mum Jocelyn receiving the praise they so deserves.

18 delightful doggies from all over Scotland were nominated for the Spencer Award for Therapet of The Year. The Spencer Award acknowledges the magnificent work our furry, four legged friends do and this year the voting was extraordinarily close with Therapets separated by only a few points. Rhum came in at an admirable fourth place and proudly attended the ceremony at the Marriot Hotel in Edinburgh to pick up his prize.

We also made sure Rhum's Mum knows how important she is to our home and presented Jocelyn with a beautiful bouquet here at the home.

We’re so proud of our home’s Therapet here at Strachan House, our much loved Rhum has qualified for his 10 year silver medal service award from Canine Concern Scotland.

Rhum is an eleven year old Gordon Setter and has been visiting us here at Strachan House for nearly all of those ten years. Rhum immediately gets excitable when his special lead comes out and he realises where he’s about to visit. As soon as his waggy tail comes bounding in through our doors here at Strachan House, he brings all the cheer in with him.

First stop is always to the office to collect his wages, paid in gravy bones and then it’s off to see the rest of his friends. With cuddles, love and comfort for everyone he greets, he’s such a special part of our home.

Our residents describe him as “our big friendly giant” and “elegant with such a cheeky personality”. He spreads so much joy and some of our residents have described how Rhum reminds them of their own one-time loyal friends and how Rhum’s company brings them nostalgic happy thoughts and smiles.

We’re all so delighted that we have a friend like Rhum and we’re just as fond of his Mum, Jocelyn and so grateful to her for taking the time out of her week to pop in and share her beautiful boy.

Strachan House celebrated Bristol's International Balloon Fiesta in their own unique way, with a splash of colour and a tea party to welcome the new manager of the home - Eileen Crawford.

 
Residents, relatives and staff all got involved in the spirit of the balloon fiesta and released over 100 colourful bio degradable balloons into the sky for a balloon race to begin. The address of the home was labeled on the balloons, alongside personalised messaged from staff and residents. 

Event the afternoon tea party had a balloon twist. Everyone had a great time. 

With summer in full swing, residents at Strachan House embrace a seasonal activity in the form of flower arranging. With a selection of colourful flowers residents enjoyed a sunny morning creating their displays in the home's beautiful lounge.

Getting creative with flowers is a popular activity among the residents and brings everyone together over a tea and biscuits, and good conversation.

Lynne, activities coordinator said 'Our flower arranging is very popular and we enjoy a little background music whilst creating our displays, it is such fun we don’t usually stop talking or laughing throughout.'

Residents of Strachan house celebrated Independence Day in true American style by hosting an American themed candy cart on Thursday 4th July. The home boasts a number of Residents and colleagues who have American connections at the home, and a lot of people that love American movies and singers.

Films from the Golden Age of Hollywood were lined up, as well as, playlists including Buddy Holly, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and we also had a quiz with fun facts about Independence Day.