New Year Good Fortune
Mountside Care Home embraced the spirit of Chinese New Year with a day full of joy, discovery, and creative activities, making it a truly memorable celebration.
The festivities began with an exploration of the Chinese zodiac, where residents uncovered their lucky animal and the unique personality traits associated with it. The excitement was palpable as they learned more about what their zodiac sign reveals about them, sparking lively discussions and plenty of laughter.
Next, it was time to put chopstick skills to the test with the much-anticipated Chopsticks Challenge! Residents enthusiastically took on the task, using chopsticks to pick up small objects—an activity that proved to be both entertaining and rewarding. The challenge sparked cheerful competition and lots of laughter, making it a highlight of the day.
Adding a touch of creativity to the celebration, everyone took part in crafting beautiful lanterns, a traditional symbol of hope and prosperity. These stunning, hand-decorated lanterns brightened up the home and added a vibrant festive atmosphere to the occasion.
As Mountside Care Home welcomed the Year of the Snake, residents embraced the values of good fortune, health, and joy, setting the tone for a wonderful year ahead.
Popcorn Day Celebrations
Fairways Care Home enjoyed a delightful day of fun and reminiscence as they celebrated National Popcorn Day with a series of creative activities and, of course, plenty of delicious popcorn!
Adding a creative twist to the festivities, residents took part in fun and engaging activity inspired by popcorn, an art project themed around popcorn designed to bring a burst of colour and joy to the day.
The day was filled with colourful moments and joyful laughter as everyone shared fond memories of trips to the movies, recalling the excitement of sitting in a darkened cinema with a bag of popcorn in hand.
The creative activity was a wonderfully uplifting way to brighten the day proving popcorn is more than just a simple snack—it’s a symbol of togetherness.
National Popcorn Day at Fairways Care Home proved that even the simplest things in life can bring immense joy, laughter, and a sense of connection through shared memories.
Chinese New Year Traditions
Gabriel Court Care Home ushered in the Chinese New Year in style, embracing the spirit of the occasion with a vibrant celebration filled with culture, creativity, and community spirit.
The festivities kicked off with an engaging Chinese New Year quiz, where everyone tested their knowledge of traditions, zodiac signs, and cultural customs. This was followed by an exciting journey of self-discovery as everyone learned about their Chinese zodiac signs and what they symbolise.
No celebration would be complete without delicious treats, and residents enjoyed an array of tasty Chinese snacks, sampling flavours that are central to the holiday's traditions. Adding to the festive joy, red envelopes filled with chocolate were shared – a fun and symbolic nod to the token of good fortune.
To add to the experience everyone enjoyed a relaxing and invigorating Tai Chi session, embracing the gentle, flowing movements that promote balance, relaxation, and well-being.
This wonderful celebration not only brought joy to residents and staff but also provided a meaningful opportunity to connect with different cultures, appreciate traditions, and create lasting memories together.
Brightened by Sainsbury’s Donation
Fairways Care Home in New Romney were treated to a delightful surprise when their local Sainsbury’s generously donated a beautiful selection of flowers. What started as an ordinary day quickly blossomed into an uplifting experience filled with creativity, colour, and joy.
The unexpected donation sparked a flurry of floral arranging, with everyone eagerly getting involved in crafting bouquets to decorate the home. The activity, which encouraged both creativity and conversation, transformed the care home into a vibrant space, filled with the sweet scent of fresh flowers and plenty of smiles.
The very welcome donation was featured in Kent News Online, highlighting the impact that small acts of kindness can have on care home communities. The coverage celebrated the partnership between local businesses and care homes, showcasing how thoughtful initiatives can enhance the well-being of older adults.
Fairways Care Home hopes to continue collaborating with local businesses to bring more moments of joy to their care community, proving that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a big difference.
Funday Monday Spreads Joy on Blue Monday
While many braced themselves for the gloom of “Blue Monday,” often dubbed the most depressing day of the year, Mountside Care Home in Hastings had other ideas — Funday Monday!
The initiative, designed to uplift spirits and bring residents together, featured a day packed with laughter, games, music, and creative activities. From lively singalongs to arts and crafts sessions, Mountside Care Home buzzed with energy, proving that even the greyest of days can be transformed into moments of happiness.
The Funday initiative was recently featured in the Sussex Express, highlighting how small changes in mindset and activity planning can make a significant impact on well-being. The story captured the spirit of the event and showcased how care homes Mountside are fostering vibrant, positive communities.
With the success of Funday Monday, Mountside Care Home is now planning to make it a regular tradition—spreading joy not just on Blue Monday but throughout the year.
A Perfect 10 on carehome.co.uk
Our New carehome.co.uk Score
Gabriel Court Care Home, Kettering a Perfect 10 on the prestigious carehome.co.uk review website! This incredible recognition, with a top score of 10, is a testament to the dedication, compassion, and hard work of our amazing team, who go above and beyond to ensure our residents feel supported, cared for, and truly at home.
Our Managers Reaction
David Merry, Manager at Gabriel Court Care Home, Kettering said: “Receiving such glowing reviews is the highest compliment we could ask for. It’s these heartfelt words of appreciation that motivate us to continue delivering exceptional care and companionship every day.”
“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took the time to share their feedback on carehome.co.uk. Your kind words mean the world to us and inspire us to keep raising the bar in everything we do.” Said David.
Our carehome.co.uk Reviews
Here’s what some of our reviews have said:
“Really happy with the home. I could see staff there available to support him all the time. We sat in the lounge and had a chat and some tea, and there were lots of other people in the lounge with him to keep him company. He told me that if he needed anything, the staff were always around to help.”
These words are a testament to the dedication of our staff and the supportive, family-like environment at Gabriel Court Care Home, Kettering. We strive to create a space where residents feel not only cared for but truly at home.
“I don’t get to visit often as I live overseas, but Gabriel Court Care Home, Kettering a Perfect 10 had such a homely feel. I felt like I was back visiting her in her little bungalow rather than in a care home. She is cared for and happy, which was lovely to see. She is also less stressed out as she has people looking after her all the time.”
Our reviews highlight the peace of mind that comes with knowing your loved ones are receiving the best care possible. At Gabriel Court Care Home, Kettering we prioritize creating a relaxed, comforting environment where our residents can thrive.
A Blooming Surprise from Sainsbury's!
We were delighted to receive a wonderful donation of flowers from Sainsbury's, and they brought so much joy and colour to our day!
As soon as the blooms arrived, Joan couldn’t resist diving into her favourite activity – flower arranging. With her expert touch and creative eye, Joan transformed the flowers into stunning arrangements that brightened up every corner of our home.
Watching Joan work with such passion and precision was a treat for everyone, and it was a lovely reminder of how simple joys can make a big impact.
Flowers have a special way of lifting spirits, sparking creativity, and bringing people together, and this thoughtful donation gave us all a reason to smile.
A big thank you to Sainsbury's for their kindness and generosity – your blooms have truly brightened our day in every way!
Creative Answer-a-Question Challenge
What an incredible day we had! Our creative Answer-a-Question Challenge brought so much joy, laughter, and meaningful connection to everyone involved. Each question sparked unique and imaginative responses, leading to fascinating conversations and plenty of shared smiles.
The challenge was more than just a fun activity – it was a wonderful way to learn new things about each other, spark creativity, and celebrate the diverse stories and ideas we all bring to the table. Every response was a delightful surprise, taking our discussions in exciting and unexpected directions.
Hearing the laughter ripple through the room and seeing the bonds grow stronger made this activity extra special. It’s moments like these that remind us of the power of shared experiences to create lasting memories and deeper relationships.
Thank you to everyone who participated and made this day so memorable! We’re already brainstorming more ways to bring fun and connection into our community. Here’s to many more days filled with laughter, creativity, and meaningful conversations!
Stay tuned for our next exciting activity – we can’t wait to see where our imaginations will take us next!
Turning Blue Monday into Funday Monday!
While others may have been facing the so-called "Blue Monday," Mountside Care Home decided to flip the script and turn it into Funday Monday! And what a day it was – packed with fun, laughter, and plenty of heartwarming moments.
We kicked things off by getting creative with costumes, which brought smiles and a touch of whimsy to the day. Our lively music and movement session had everyone tapping their feet, swaying, and clapping along, filling the room with joyful energy. And then came the highlight of the day – an exciting snowball fight (don’t worry, no snow required!) that had everyone laughing and enjoying the playful spirit.
To keep the positivity flowing, we shared uplifting affirmations and funny jokes, making sure there was something to brighten every resident’s day. The air was filled with joy, connection, and a collective effort to make every moment special.
Days like these remind us of the power of laughter and community to lift our spirits and create lasting memories. Let’s keep spreading the joy and turning every day into a brighter, happier experience! Here’s to more moments of fun, laughter, and togetherness.
Steps Toward a Sustainable Future
At ACI Care, sustainability is more than just a goal—it’s a way of life. Driven by a deep commitment to protecting the planet and supporting the communities they serve; the care group has embedded sustainability into every aspect of its operations.
For ACI Care, sustainability means making thoughtful choices today that pave the way for a brighter tomorrow. Their mission goes beyond delivering exceptional care services—it’s about fostering environmental and social well-being. By embracing innovative solutions, responsibly managing resources, and focusing on long-term impact, they’re creating value for their customers, employees, and local communities alike.
Proud to be leading change across three key areas:
-Reducing energy use, cutting waste, and prioritising sustainable materials.
-Promoting employee well-being, fostering ethical practices, and building strong local partnerships.
-Committing to carbon neutrality and proactively addressing climate risks.
Taking bold steps, the care group has appointed a dedicated Sustainability Champion to lead on green initiatives. Their Net Zero pledge is now in motion; with the migration to cloud IT servers, the installation of solar panels, a switch to a greener water supplier, replacement of outdated boilers and installation of smart meters, the company hasn’t faltered in its dedication to create a sustainable, greener future for the communities it serves.
To ensure they stay on track, they have partnered with Zellar, a digital sustainability coach. Zellar helps the company calculate its carbon footprint, identify improvement opportunities, and track its progress year by year.
Ravi Sodha, Director at ACI Care Group said: “These achievements mark just the beginning of our journey. We’re dedicated to working with Zellar as we continue to be inspired by the positive changes we’re making. Sustainability isn’t just about protecting the environment; it’s about creating a better world for everyone, now and for generations to come.”