Category: Blog

Today, residents and staff from our care home embarked on an exciting outing to Manor Heath Park, and what a day it turned out to be! Originally set for a classic bear hunt, our adventure took an unexpected and delightful turn as we found ourselves exploring the wonders of the Jungle Experience! The park was alive with the sounds of nature, and it didn’t take long for our group to spot a variety of fascinating creatures. Among the most memorable moments were the beautiful butterflies fluttering by, adding a splash of color to the scenery, and the playful terrapin turtles who seemed just as curious about us as we were about them. After our wildlife adventure, we gathered under the cool shade of a large tree. The views of the park were simply stunning, and it was the perfect spot to settle down, unwind, and enjoy a lovely picnic. With cups of hot tea in hand, everyone shared laughs, stories, and plenty of delicious treats, making it a heartwarming afternoon for all involved. The day was not just about getting out into nature—it was about making memories, creating new friendships, and fostering the sense of community that makes our care home so special. This outing will certainly be one to remember, and we’re grateful for the chance to spend such a wonderful time together. A big thank you to the Well-being Team for organizing the outing and ensuring everything ran smoothly. Their dedication to creating these memorable experiences truly shines!

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It’s an incredibly exciting time for everyone here at Park View Care Home — we’re thrilled to announce that we have officially welcomed our very first resident!

This moment marks a huge milestone in what has been a three-year journey filled with dedication, teamwork, and passion. The development of Park View has been a true labour of love, and seeing it finally come to life is an achievement we are all so proud of.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who has played a part in making this dream a reality. From the teams who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to our wonderful supporters in the community — your encouragement and belief in us have meant the world.

Now, with our doors open, we are more than ready to provide the highest standard of care and create a warm, welcoming environment where our residents can truly feel at home. Our goal has always been to deliver the best possible care experience, and this is just the beginning of that journey.

We also want to take a moment to thank our Facebook community, who have supported Lee Mount Care Home so wonderfully over the years. Your ongoing support has been invaluable, and we hope you’ll continue to be part of our story by showing the same love for Park View.

Please like our new Facebook page and share our posts to help us spread the word — your support helps us grow our community and make a difference in more people’s lives.

Lee Mount’s newly developed Park View Care Home proudly celebrated its grand reopening with a special event on 13 May, 2025. After two years of extensive redevelopment, the home has been transformed into a unique, open-plan, activity-based care environment, designed to meet the needs of older adults while creating a vibrant, welcoming space for residents and their families. Park View Care Home, the sister home to Lee Mount Care Home, represents a significant investment in the local community and is set to provide residential, respite, and dementia care services in a modern and compassionate setting. The care home has now welcomed its first residents and care team, setting a new standard in specialist dementia and elderly care. The home features a purpose-built, open-plan layout informed by leading dementia research—encouraging independence, reducing confusion, and fostering meaningful engagement. A skilled and compassionate team delivers 24/7 personalised care, ensuring each resident feels safe, supported, and truly valued. Among the standout facilities are a 10-seater cinema with a 140-inch screen, a vibrant creative studio, an interactive therapy kitchen, and a dedicated sensory relaxation area. Residents can also enjoy the Halifax Legends Sports Bar, a self-serve café, a traditional sweet shop, a library, an indoor exercise area, and a beautifully landscaped sensory garden. A memorable reopening celebration welcomed guests including the Mayor of Calderdale, Danielle Durrans; Howard Priestley of Phoenix FM 96.7; community leaders; and local residents. Attendees enjoyed a warm and lively atmosphere, with speeches, tours of the new facilities, and plenty of opportunities to share in the excitement of this new chapter. The Mayor of Calderdale, Danielle Durrans, shared moving words at the ceremony: “It is a real honour to join you today for the official opening of Park View, a new and much-needed care home here in Ovenden, and the proud sister home to Lee Mount Care Home. This is a moment that holds personal meaning for me. In 2016, my own mother spent a couple of months at Lee Mount. During that time, our family saw first-hand what compassionate, personalised care truly looks like. The staff did not just provide support — they provided warmth, dignity, and genuine kindness. They made my mother feel at home, and for that I remain deeply grateful. That same spirit now lives on here at Park View. This new home is not just a building; it is a promise — a promise to care for our older residents with the respect they deserve, to create a safe and welcoming space where they can thrive, and to support families during times of change. The design, the attention to comfort, and most importantly, the people who will work here reflect a true commitment to excellence and heart. It is clear that Park View is not just about delivering care, but about building a real sense of home and community. So to everyone who helped bring Park View to life — thank you. You are not only changing the care landscape here in Calderdale — you are making a difference in people’s lives every single day. Congratulations, and welcome to Park View.” Councillor Ann Kingston, who also attended, praised the home’s development in her post: “I was invited to the opening of the new Park View Care Home, under the same ownership as Lee Mount Care Home. The facilities are wonderful — including a cinema, library, music room, café kitchen, creative centre, Players Bar, and a tuck shop. The care they provide for their residents is something we are exceptionally proud of locally, and we recognise the impact this has for both residents and their families.” Not all care homes are created equal — this Halifax-based dementia and elderly care home has been carefully designed to offer more: more comfort, more connection, more value, and more joy. We’d love for you to book a visit to look around and see first-hand the warm, welcoming environment we’ve created. Stay tuned for more upcoming events by following our Facebook page! To learn more about Park View Care Home, schedule a tour, or reserve a place, click here or call 01422 369081

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At Park View, we understand the profound impact of staying connected with the community on our residents’ well-being. A few years ago, a survey revealed that many of our residents missed engaging in everyday activities such as shopping, visiting cafes, attending church, going to the library, watching movies at the cinema, and even simple tasks like posting a letter. This insight prompted us to rethink our approach to community engagement and develop strategies to help our residents maintain these connections.

The Challenge of Maintaining Everyday Activities

When individuals move into care homes, they often stop participating in the activities they once enjoyed by 80-90%. This significant reduction in engagement can be attributed to various factors, including the transition to a new living environment, the need for increased care, and logistical challenges related to outings. Activities like cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, and going out become less frequent, impacting their overall quality of life. Recognising this issue, we were determined to find ways to help our residents continue to engage in the community. However, this is not as simple as it sounds. There are numerous challenges, such as managing a busy care home environment, ensuring adequate staffing, arranging transportation, conducting safety and risk assessments, and more.

Developing a Routine for Community Engagement

Over time, we have developed a robust routine to facilitate community outings. We now have two dedicated activities coordinators, one of whom focuses specifically on organising community trips. This dedicated approach ensures we can provide consistent and meaningful opportunities for our residents to engage with the community. We have also signed up all our residents for the Access Bus service, which has significantly helped with transportation costs. This service is invaluable in making outings more accessible and affordable. To ensure fairness and safety, we tailor our outings to meet the individual needs of our residents. Those who require more support or have higher mobility challenges are often taken out one-to-one. This personalised approach allows us to cater to each resident’s needs, ensuring they can safely enjoy their time out.

The Positive Impact of Community Trips

The benefits of our community trips are now becoming increasingly evident. Our residents are building meaningful links within the community and becoming familiar faces at local businesses and events. The local community and businesses have been incredibly supportive, welcoming our residents and helping them feel included. We have observed a significant positive impact on our residents’ general well-being. Regular outings have boosted their spirits, provided a sense of purpose, and allowed them to maintain independence. The joy and satisfaction derived from these activities are immeasurable. Our commitment to being person-centred in our approach is highlighted by our efforts to tailor outings to individual interests. For instance, one of our residents, a devoted fan of the band Status Quo, is set to attend a surprise concert at the Piece Hall in town. We are all very excited about this personalised outing and showcasing our dedication to making our residents’ dreams come true.

Building Strong Community Links

Engaging with the community goes beyond just providing outings. It helps our residents feel valued and connected, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness. The relationships formed with local community members and businesses enrich our residents’ lives and foster a sense of belonging. We encourage other care homes to consider the benefits of facilitating community engagement for their residents. While there are challenges to overcome, the rewards are well worth the effort. The positive impact on residents’ well-being, the strengthened community ties, and the joy of seeing residents thrive make it a truly worthwhile endeavour.

At Park View, we have a proud tradition of fundraising for local charities, having raised thousands of pounds over the past 7-8 years. While raising money for important causes is a significant outcome, the benefits of these efforts extend far beyond financial contributions. Engaging in fundraising activities has profound positive effects on our staff, residents, and the wider community.

A Break from Routine and a Source of Joy

Fundraising activities give our staff and residents a refreshing break from the daily routine. The preparation and execution of these events offer a much-needed change of pace, providing everyone with something exciting to look forward to. Whether it’s planning a bake sale, organising a charity auction, or hosting a community fair, these events inject a sense of purpose and enthusiasm into our daily lives. For our staff, these activities can alleviate day-to-day work stresses, fostering a more positive and cohesive team environment. The collaborative nature of fundraising projects encourages teamwork and creativity, helping to build stronger bonds among colleagues.

Resident Engagement and Empowerment

One of the most rewarding aspects of our fundraising efforts is the active involvement of our residents. Many of our residents take great pleasure in contributing to these events by crafting items for sale, manning stalls, or even choosing the charities we support. A particularly heartwarming example is the story of one of our residents who, as part of her 100th birthday celebrations, chose to support Overgate Hospice. She was passionate about giving back and continued to raise funds for Overgate every year until she passed away. Her dedication not only raised substantial funds but also inspired others to get involved and showed the profound impact that these activities can have on individual lives.

Building Strong Community Relationships

Fundraising activities significantly strengthen our connections within the local community. By supporting local charities, we build relationships with these organisations, often leading to ongoing collaborations. For example, our sustained efforts in supporting Overgate Hospice have resulted in a strong, mutually beneficial relationship. Overgate regularly provides our staff with specialist training in end-of-life care, enhancing our residents’ quality of care. These relationships are invaluable, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. They also allow our residents to interact with the broader community, enhancing their social well-being and sense of belonging.

Enhancing the Service Reputation

Participating in fundraising activities can also enhance the reputation of care home services. Commitment to the community and local causes helps build trust and respect from current and prospective residents and their families. It shows that the care home is dedicated not only to the well-being of its residents but also to the welfare of the wider community.

Personal Recommendation

Based on our experiences at Park View, I highly recommend that other care home services consider engaging in fundraising activities. The benefits are manifold: financial support for worthy causes, improved staff morale, enriched resident lives, stronger community ties, and a positive public image. Fundraising is more than just raising money; it’s about building a vibrant, connected community and enriching the lives of everyone involved. By Manjinder (Boo) Dhiman Registered Manager/Director

Building strong relationships and connections is crucial in any job role, but it holds special significance for an Activities Coordinator. This role demands more than just showing up for a paycheck; it requires passion, dedication, and genuine care for the people you serve.

Beyond the Job: Creating a Second Family

For me, the clients I work with are not just part of my job—they are like a second family. They are friends and, in many ways, feel like my own grandparents. Establishing strong bonds with them makes delivering activities more effective and enjoyable. Without these connections, it becomes challenging to encourage participation and engagement in the activities we plan.

The Foundation of Effective Activities: Strong Relationships

A solid relationship foundation makes activities more meaningful and enjoyable for everyone involved. Clients are more likely to participate and engage when they feel a personal connection with the Activities Coordinator. This bond fosters trust and makes tailoring activities that resonate with their interests and preferences easier.

Dedication and Personal Connection

I have dedicated myself to building these relationships. I want my clients to see me as a shoulder to cry on, a helping hand when needed, and a safe, trustworthy space filled with fun. This dedication involves learning about their backgrounds, likes, dislikes, and those unique quirks you pick up through conversations. It also means allowing them to get to know me, creating a mutual trust that enriches our interactions.

More Than Just Activities: Genuine Engagement

Being an Activities Coordinator is about more than just organising events and activities. Sometimes, it’s about sitting down for a good old natter over a hot cup of tea. Often, everyone needs your time and attention to feel that their thoughts and opinions matter. Listening and engaging in meaningful conversations are just as important as any planned activity.

Person-Centered Care: A Key to Success

Person-centred care is at the heart of my approach. By appreciating and incorporating clients’ likes and interests into activities, we create familiar and enjoyable experiences. This personalised attention makes the activities more engaging and reinforces positive memories and feelings, strengthening our bond.

The Rewards of Strong Connections

The impact of these strong connections is evident. I see smiles when I walk into the room, hear clients telling me I am a godsend, and feel their trust in me for advice and support. These moments remind me of the difference I am making in their lives, making even the hard days worthwhile. Building strong relationships and connections is not just a part of the job for an Activities Coordinator; it is the essence of it. These bonds make the role rewarding and fulfilling, turning a job into a vocation and clients into a second family. By Sherrie Steptoe Activities Coordinator