St George’s Day indoor street party at Teesside care home
AN INDOOR street party marked St George’s Day at a Teesside care home. Bunting, Union Jack flags and hats, decorated cakes and a sing-along all helped celebrate the patron saint of England at The Beeches Care Home, on Green Lane, Stockton-on-Tees. Residents took part in an arts and crafts session to create the English flag bunting. They also used icing sugar and other toppings to decorate themed cupcakes. A buffet of sandwiches, crisps and hot drinks was also laid out for the occasion. Singing along to classics from Dame Vera Lynn, Doris Day, The Beatles and ABBA got everyone into a party mood. A group rendition of “Que Sera Sera” had both staff and residents singing at the top of their voices. Resident Sheila Bradley said: “You’ve outdone yourself with this street party. I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s been such a lovely afternoon.” Lena Evenden, who also lives at the home, added: “It’s been so nice to sit and have a chat with a cup of tea and also have a sing-along.” And fellow resident Marian Knightly said: “I have enjoyed this afternoon. It’s been a nice change. I would definitely join in again when we hold the next street party.” Jess Roth, activities coordinator at The Beeches Care Home, said: “It was lovely to see all the residents smiling and singing along, as well as chatting to other residents they wouldn’t necessarily see on a day to day basis. “It has been a really enjoyable afternoon seeing everyone so happy. It’s really made my day.” For more stories like the indoor street party click here
BT staff volunteer at Teesside care home
CALL centre workers swapped telephones and keyboards for shovels and dominoes for a day volunteering at a Teesside care home. Staff from a BT Middlesbrough office carried out gardening work and engaged in activities with elderly residents living at The Gables Care Home, on Highfield Road. As part of the telecoms business’s volunteering programme, almost a dozen call centre advisors and a team manager spent the day at the home. They tidied the garden, removing weeds and sweeping leaves, planted flowers, repainted a fence, benches and plant pots, cleaned the green house and planted seeds for tomatoes, lettuce, onions and other vegetables. After the gardening work, they shared a hot drink with residents, while reminiscing about the town and their own careers, as well as playing a few rounds of dominoes. Ben Donaldson, a BT call centre advisor, said: “I wanted to help change people’s lives for the better and, as team, we wanted to give back to the older generation. “It was a fulfilling experience that really brought the team together in a way that we hope benefited the residents too.” Jacqui McKeown, also a BT call centre advisor, said: “It was rewarding to be able to give something back and the best day we have had as a team.” The Gables Care Home resident, James Haslam said: “It was great to see the guys in the garden getting it ready for the summer and then spending some time with me.” Fellow resident Kevin McKenna said: “They really made a good job of our garden to enjoy in the sun.” Home manager Pam Rodgers said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to the BT team for volunteering at our home. “They have made a huge difference to the garden and the residents loved chatting to them and sharing their memories of the town and what they did for a living. “It was a fantastic day, enjoyed by call, and we hope we’ll see them again in future.” The Gables Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net. BT’s volunteering programme aims to support charities and local communities. For further information visit https://www.btplc.com/Purposefulbusiness/Supportinggoodcauses/Volunteering/index.htm
Pets charm residents at Teesside care home
A HERD of fluffy, four-legged friends were the latest visitors to a Middlesbrough care home. Rabbits and guinea pigs hopped in to see residents at The Gables Care Home, on Highfield Road, for an animal therapy session. Staff from Pets at Home, on Teesside Park, Stockton-on-Tees, brought the animals for residents to hold and stroke. Having contact with the cute, cuddly creatures provides therapeutic benefits for those living with dementia, according to home manager Pam Rodgers. She said: “Watching, stroking and holding guinea pigs, rabbits and other animals can have a calming and positive impact on everyone – but especially those living with dementia. “They might bring back fond memories of their own pets or give them something to focus on and care for. Everyone had big smiles on their faces at the end of the session.” After holding the rabbit, resident Maureen Hall said: “How wonderful is he. I could hold him all day.” Fellow resident James Haslam said: “It’s great being able to meet animals like this. Thank you. They are beautiful.” The Gables Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
New home manager for Teesside care home
A FORMER care assistant has risen through the ranks at a Teesside care home,The Beeches Care Home, to be named home manager. Jessica Brown joined The Beeches Care Home, on Green Lane, Newtown, in 2014 and was promoted to senior care assistant before becoming deputy manager in 2018. She became home manager in February 2019 and has said she is aiming to lead the home to the highest rating from industry watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC). She said: “I truly believe that everyone is unique and should be treated in a person-centred way, with activities and services tailored to each person’s individual preferences. “ “I am very excited to be the new home manager of The Beeches and am delighted to advise that the home has achieved a “Good” CQC rating across the board. We are working towards achieving an outstanding rating at our next inspection.” Originally from Stockton-on-Tees, Jessica studied for an A Level in aviation at college but decided it wasn’t for her and took at job at a domiciliary care company in 2011. She then moved to a facility offering independent living space for elderly people as a senior care assistant before moving to The Beeches, a residential and specialist dementia care home. The Beeches Care Home received a “Good” rating for all five areas in their latest CQC inspection report. The report stated the home’s residents were “supported to maintain a healthy diet”, “treated with equality, dignity and respect” and provided with “person centred care”. For more information about the Beeches Care Home please visit https://www.hillcare.net
Baby yoga classes held at Teesside care home
BABIES and elderly care home residents are taking part in yoga sessions together at a Stockton-on-Tees care home. The Kalma Baby sessions are held at Ingleby Care Home, Lamb Lane, Ingleby Barwick, with residents and visitors with young children all invited to participate. Staff, residents’ families and members of the community with babies and toddlers have all been taking part. Bringing the two generations together provides benefits for both groups, explained Jessica Jolly, who runs the sessions. Jessica, who works as a mental health nurse, said: “The session at Ingleby Care Home went down really well. “I was so impressed at how the residents reacted to it and there are so many benefits for the babies and parents.” Resident Moira Hall, 78, said: “I really enjoy the children coming in. Especially at this age, as it takes me back to when my son, Grant, was that small.” Resident Margaret Salmon, 92, added: “I didn’t know what to expect when I was asked to go to baby yoga but as soon as I saw all the little babies my heart melted. I absolutely loved it.” Carol Singleton, home manager at Ingleby Care Home, said: “Jessica contacted us as she was looking for a space to run the Kalma Baby sessions and thought our residents would be interested in taking part. “We regularly have nursery groups and school children visit the residents and they always light up when they see the young ones. It brings so much energy and enthusiasm into the home. “So we jumped at the chance to host the baby yoga sessions and the first was a huge success. Everyone is really looking forward to the next one.” The next Kalma Baby session takes place at 11am, Thursday, 6th December, at Ingleby Care Home, on Lamb Lane, Ingleby Barwick. Anyone interested in taking part should contact Jessica Jolly on 07453171709 or email jessica@stockton.kalmababy.co.uk. Kalma Baby provides yoga classes primarily across the North East for parents and children aged from six weeks to 18 years. The sessions help with babies’ digestive system, promotes body awareness and confidence, helps build muscle strength, promotes healthier, deeper sleeping patterns, improves coordination and motor skills, and promotes bonding between parent and infant, according to the Kalma Baby website.
Teesside care homes hold Halloween celebrations
A FRIGHTFUL autumn fayre was held at a Teesside care home to mark Halloween. Ghouls and ghosts walked the corridors of The Beeches Care Home, in Stockton-on-Tees, as staff dressed for the occasion. Bats and pumpkin decorations hung from the walls and ceiling and a wide range of Halloween activities were available for residents and visitors. Apple bobbing, a tombola, tin can alley, slime pit, raffle and a stall selling themed cakes all helped raise over £660. The money will go into the residents’ fund to pay for Christmas activities and a pantomime for residents. Helen Wood, home manager at The Beeches Care Home, on Green Lane, said: “The staff did an amazing job with their costumes and the decorations for our Halloween autumn fair. “I’d like to say thank you to all those who came along and donated to the residents’ fund. We raised an amazing amount, which will all go towards Christmas events and activities for the residents.” Fellow Teesside care homes, Briarwood Care Home, in Eston, Middlesbrough, and Mandale House Care Home, in Thornaby, also held Halloween events. Staff and residents at both homes, all part of the Hill Care Group, dressed as a range of scary characters for young family members who visited the home to trick or treat. The Beeches, Briarwood and Mandale House care homes are all part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
