The Activities Team at Beechmore has had another busy year.  We have continued to provide regular group activities such as quizzes, arts and crafts, reminisce chats, games and seated exercises.  Singers and entertainers have come in on a regular basis providing great entertainment in the form of talks and singing. We really see how much our residents enjoy these visits and how important they are to people’s well being. Just as important is the time we spend one to one with people chatting, taking round a box of chocolates, providing hand pampers, playing a game of Scrabble, taking a walk around the garden or doing a jigsaw together.  Also vital are the visits from volunteers who provide a listening ear, Bible studies and Sunday Services. In addition to these activities within Beechmore we have been able to take residents on trips to Bromley town centre, Garden Centres, a local pub and Hastings.  At the end of August we took nearly all those living in Florence House on a trip to Polhill Garden Centre and this was a special time for these residents some of whom who rarely get the opportunity to go out.  In May we held an indoor street party to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles and were very grateful to receive a grant from Bromley Council towards the cost of this. In July we held a very successful summer fair raising over £1,100.

We provide many different activities but the question is what difference do they make to the lives of those who live at Beechmore Court.  Here’s a sample of what some of our residents and care staff have said in answer to this question.

• It brings people together. Gets them talking.
• It can bring out hidden talents and gifts when people get opportunity to try things they’ve not done before.
• It’s good to keep active and get the blood flowing.
• I enjoy having a laugh together.
• The activities make you try things you wouldn’t normally do and join in with other people.
• I love it when we have singers and entertainers in. Some of them are marvellous.
• You wouldn’t get all these things in your own home.
• Even though I don’t join in many activities it’s good that there are different things for people who enjoy them.
• It’s often the highlight of people’s day.
• It gets people together and socialising.

Hopefully this give an idea of what we do. We always love hearing new ideas and appreciate any offer of help in the running of activities, some of which really need two or three people to run successfully.