Why activities are not just for Christmas at Guild Care

It’s quite the opposite though! Our teams work hard to make sure there are activities for everyone to enjoy – not just in December, but all year round. Our weekly timetable helps to keep our residents’ minds and bodies active.

Many of our residents live with different stages of dementia, which means we must carefully plan in dementia-friendly activities – especially in Haviland House, our purpose-built dementia care home.

Of course, like all of us, our residents have their own likes and dislikes, which is why we aim to create a varied schedule. Eileen Garbutt, our award-winning activities and well-being co-ordinator at Haviland House, ensures there is something for everyone to enjoy. Weekly activities include live musical performances, arts and craft sessions and light exercise classes, through to more gentle pastimes such as jigsaws.

Feedback about these sessions is often positive. One of our residents’ family members said: “My mum loves the activities which take place every day. She is always smiling and happy. Thank you Haviland for making what could have been a difficult transition for my mum and our family so much better.”

For people living with dementia, music-based activities can often have a powerful effect on their emotional and mental wellbeing. It can help them to unlock memories from their younger years and reconnect with friends and loved ones, even if they are unable to express their feelings verbally.

At Haviland House, we enjoy regular live performances from singer David Drew, who is a firm favourite with the residents and the staff. David always dresses to impress, usually in a tuxedo and he sings a wide variety of songs from Cole Porter jazz classics to disco favourites. His most requested song is You're More than a Number in My Little Red Book by The Drifters.

Another local performer, Amy Marchant, visits us on a weekly basis, bringing to life songs from the silver screen in her Remembering the Musicals sessions. These are a great way for residents to recapture past memories of seeing a film or musical for the first time, reminiscing while singing along to songs from Disney to Judy Garland and Doris Day – and often get us all on our feet for a dance.

We like to invite relatives who are visiting residents in our homes to come and join in with these activities too. It enables them to see first-hand the positive impact they can have on their loved one, bringing smiles and tears to many faces.

If you would like to know more about life at Guild Care, or to book a tour at any of our homes, please call our enquiries team on 01903 327 327 or email [email protected].

• This article was submitted by Kevin Burke, director of quality and care home operations at Guild Care