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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Rosemary's cat dream comes true

We had the pleasure of fulfilling Rosemary's special wish at Pause Cat Cafe in Bournemouth.  Upon arrival, Rosemary was warmly greeted by volunteers Jaya ,Maria and Steff who made her feel incredibly special. She received a beautiful personalised card and a pause badge at our table. Rosemary reminisced about her own cats while volunteers shared stories about how Pause Cat Cafe started. The highlight of the visit was meeting Clifford the Big Black Cat, Pumpkin the Ginger Cat, and Michelle the White Cat, who entertained Rosemary with their tricks and playful antics

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Residents trip out to feed ducks


Upton Bay residents embarked on a memorable bus trip to Poole specifically to feed ducks and swans. It was a delightful experience for all, as they had the chance to interact with these beautiful creatures, observe their graceful movements, and create lasting memories amidst the serene surroundings of Poole.

 

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Edna's 90th birthday

Upton Bay pulled out all the stops to celebrate Edna's 90th birthday in style. With nearly every resident in attendance, the magnificent celebration was filled with heartfelt Happy Birthday wishes. Not only was Edna the centre of attention on her special day, but she also held the honour of being the very first resident on Upton Bay's Memory Lane Dementia Floor. It was a truly unforgettable event that brought the community together to celebrate and honour Edna's remarkable milestone.

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RNLI boat trip for our ladies



On a sunny day, we set sail around the stunning Poole Harbour, exploring the picturesque islands such as Brown sea Island and Arne, which you may recognise from the televised show "Spring watch." Our residents were treated to the warm hospitality of the incredible crew, who served delicious tea and biscuits throughout the trip.

Despite a brief shower, the day was truly magical, providing a relaxing and enjoyable afternoon for all. We hope that this experience brought back cherished memories and created new ones to be treasured.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the RNLI for their dedication and support in making this special wish come true. It is moments like these that truly make Upton Bay a place where dreams are realised and cherished.

 

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Circus dream for resident Denise on her 75th birthday



Denise's love for the theatre is undeniable, as she would eagerly attend a show every week if given the opportunity. So, for her 75th birthday, we wanted to do something extraordinary and asked if she would be interested in going to The Circus. Without hesitation, Denise enthusiastically embraced the idea of seeing Circus Extreme. She expressed her excitement for this unique experience, and we were determined to make her wish come true. After booking the tickets, we arrived at the venue and were warmly welcomed by a kind gentleman who not only guided us to our seats but also captured some precious moments with a few photographs. To our delight, we were then escorted to our VIP seats. The entire process, from booking to the actual day, showcased exceptional customer service. Denise described the experience as nothing short of wonderful, and she sincerely felt that her 75th birthday had been made incredibly special.

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Jean steps in as postal lady


We would like to express our admiration and appreciation for the exceptional support and friendship demonstrated by Jean as she filled in as the assistant postal lady in Upton Bay while our beloved Raymond was unwell. With their long-standing friendship, it was only fitting that Jean stepped up to help Raymond during his time of need.

Jean and Raymond have shared many years of friendship, and their bond has only grown stronger over time. The role reversal, with Jean visiting Raymond instead of the usual visits from Raymond to Jean, showcases the depth of their connection and Jean's dedication to supporting her dear friend.

 

Upcoming events

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.