Activities at Upton Bay Care Home

Activities are an integral part of life at our care home. We want to ensure that the people we support have as much fun as possible during their time with us, so it’s important that our activities programme is created with the interests of residents in mind. Our skilled Activities Coordinators bring a certain uniqueness to the home that can’t be found anywhere else, and which is reflected in the activities they organise.

Enriching life
Watch our video on life enrichment in our homes.

Karen Grant

Activities Lead, Dementia Champion

I first worked in the care sector in 2010, starting in domiciliary care and progressing to Care Coordinator. I have since gained a wealth of experience in dedicated dementia and residential activities, working as a peripatetic activities coordinator in 16 out of 20 homes within a group, and then in 2018, I was part of a team that commissioned a new luxury care home, where I was an Activities Team Leader.

I enjoy making wishes come true for residents: in February 2015, I organised my first wedding in a care home. The lady resident who was living with dementia was unable to travel to Hertfordshire for her granddaughters wedding, so I brought the wedding to her. I organised a wedding blessing at the home; we had a vicar, a choir, all of the bridal party, the flowers, a buffet, a wedding cake, champagne—the full works.

In 2017, I organised a smaller wedding in the garden, and this was a special wish for a gentleman resident to see his granddaughter married. Organising these special moments gives me a lot of pleasure, knowing I have made them feel special and to give families that happiness and see them smile.

I cannot wait to welcome our residents into their wonderful new home and help to bring smiles, joy and laughter to each day.

Karen is also one of our dementia champions

Life-encriching activities booklet

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 Upton Bay Care Home

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Resident Jean delivers Upton Bay's Christmas post

We would like to recognise and appreciate the incredible efforts of Jean, our dedicated postal service provider at Upton Bay. Jean's commitment to delivering cards with a warm smile has not only brought joy to people's faces but has also created a ripple effect of happiness within our community.

During this festive season, Jean has been even more instrumental in spreading Christmas cheer. She has been delivering stationary for the Upton Bay community, ensuring that everyone has the resources they need to create personalized Christmas cards.

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Visiting the care-free carer's choir in Parkstone

Our Home services advisor, Victoria was back out in the community today offering cakes and kindness to the fantastic "Care-free"carer's choir who meet every Monday at St Dunstan's church, BH14. They practised Christmas carols, ate delicious cup cakes and had a very enjoyable morning. Victoria has invited the choir to sing for our residents in the New Year. We are looking forward to welcoming them.

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Fundraising for children in need

We are delighted to share with you the wonderful Children in Need Awareness event that took place at Upton Bay has managed to raise £233 with all your help and support .

It was a joyous occasion where our community came together, accompanied by the children from Yarells School, Reggie the cat, Milo the Upton Bay Companion, and our dedicated Upton Bay team.

The event was made even more special with the contributions of our talented Chef, who prepared delicious cakes and biscuits for everyone to enjoy. The delightful treats added a sweet touch to the festivities, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

One of the highlights of the event was a static bike ride, symbolizing a journey from Upton Bay to Buckingham Palace in London. This activity not only brought a sense of adventure and excitement but also aimed to raise awareness and support for Children in Need.

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Veteran's day with the Royal British Legion


Today, we had a delightful and nostalgic event at our community gathering. The Land Girls joined us, serenading us with war-time melodies such as "It's a Long Way to Tipperary," "Shine on Harvest Moon," "The Hokey Cokey," and "We're Going to Hang Out the Washing on the Siegfried Line." The residents enthusiastically sang along, waving their Union Jack flags with pride.

In addition, we were honored to have four representatives from our local Lytchett United British Legion Branch in attendance. The branch, originally established in 1921 and later moving to its current premises in 1968, holds a significant place in our community. Phil Waddington, the chairman, recited John McCrae's poignant poem, "Flanders Fields," which deeply resonated with all the residents. Keith Hardy, representing recruitment, and Tony Rodwell, the secretary, along with his wife Hill Rodwell, engaged in conversations with the residents over tea, coffee, and cake.

During their visit, the British Legion representatives shared fascinating stories about the organization and showcased meaningful memorabilia, including a bugle, a firefighter hat, medals, and a book written by a local community member about his experiences during the war. It was a truly memorable and heartwarming gathering, filled with gratitude for our veterans and a strong sense of community spirit.

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Halloween and Kathy's birthday wish

Kathy and her family, along with the residents, had a delightful time at the Halloween-themed birthday party. The afternoon was filled with wonderful musical melodies, ranging from ABBA to Motown classics. Everyone had a blast singing along to the timeless tunes. 
After the musical entertainment, Kathy continued her birthday celebrations with a cozy tea party. It was a lovely way to conclude the festivities. Kathy expressed her gratitude for making her birthday so special.

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Sunflower and pumpkin competition


As we reach the end of the season, We are thrilled to announce that our Sunflower and Pumpkin Competition has been a resounding success. The enthusiasm and dedication shown by all participants have truly made this event remarkable.

We are delighted to congratulate Ted on winning the title for the largest pumpkin this year. Ted's exceptional gardening skills and nurturing efforts have resulted in a magnificent pumpkin that truly stands out.

Furthermore, We extend our warmest congratulations to June for achieving the tallest sunflower. June's green thumb and meticulous attention to detail have yielded a sunflower that reaches for the sky, captivating us all with its impressive height.

Thank you all for your participation and congratulations once again to Ted and June for their well-deserved victories.

 

Upcoming events

Motor Bike Show - Sunday 28th April 2024

Please bring your classic or vintage bikes to our motor bike show.  Hot dogs, hot cider and refreshments. 

Pamper and Wellness community event - 8th May

Mini handical or facials, Reflexology, Free spine checks, Reiki, Indian head massage and Hypnosis.  Refreshments available 

Networking Breakfast - Monday 13th April 2024

Join us for a fun breakfast meeting like minded business colleagues. Make new contacts and important business connections.