Recent Life at Newgate Lodge: Celebrations, Outings and Keeping Active

Welcome to this month’s update from Newgate Lodge Care Home in Mansfield, where we highlighted the wonderful events going on in our home as well as our days out, celebrations and fun from the month before.

Our New Community Café is Now Open!

We are delighted to announce the launch of our Community Café at Newgate Lodge! This welcoming space is open to older adults, families and caregivers—a perfect place to enjoy free tea, coffee and cake while making new friends and connecting with the local community.

When? Every 3rd Thursday of the month, with the next session taking place on Thursday 20th March

Time? 2 PM – 4 PM

Where? Newgate Lodge Care Home, Mansfield

Spread the word to your friends and family, and join us for an afternoon filled with fun, laughter and new connections. We can’t wait to see you there!

Bringing Comfort and Connection

In January, some of our lovely ladies enjoyed one-to-one sensory stimulation and doll therapy sessions. These activities offered more than just moments of engagement – they played an important role in supporting social interaction, cognitive function and physical wellbeing. Sensory stimulation helped residents connect through touch, sight and sound, creating experiences tailored to their needs. Doll therapy, meanwhile, provided a comforting presence that helped ease anxiety and promote a sense of purpose. It was also a wonderful way to encourage gentle physical activity and inspire conversations about family, past experiences or even familiar lullabies. Seeing the smiles and warmth these sessions brought was truly lovely for everyone involved.

Keeping Active with Move More Monday

Move More Monday brought plenty of energy to both the Meadows and Willows units. On the Meadows unit, it was a lively session filled with interaction, laughter and lots of movement through fun balloon games. Our residents enjoyed reaching to hit the balloons, moving their legs to kick and some even showed off their skills by heading the balloon! Over on the Willows unit, the activities included an exciting mix of balloon games, beach ball throws and bean bag toss. The friendly competition kept everyone engaged, with residents having a fantastic time while staying active. It was wonderful to see so much enthusiasm and joy.

Day Out at Titchfield Park

Two of our residents enjoyed a lovely little trip to Titchfield Park for a refreshing walk and a delicious lunch at the café. The fresh air and beautiful surroundings made for a perfect outing, with conversations flowing as our residents shared fond memories of the park. The food was delicious, adding to the day and everyone had a wonderful time. It was a calming day filled with laughter, stories and the simple joy of being outdoors together.

Employee of the Month

We’re delighted to announce that our Employee of the Month for January is Jane from our amazing housekeeping team! Jane’s friendly nature, constant smile and dedication to her work brighten everyone’s day. She’s truly loved by residents and staff alike for her positive attitude and hard work. Well done, Jane! Thank you for all that you do.

Getting Creative for Chinese New Year

In January, we’ve been busy and creative, decorating our own bunting and making beautiful Chinese New Year decorations. Our residents enjoyed getting hands-on with colourful materials, adding their personal touches to each piece. It’s been a wonderful way to express creativity, share ideas and get into the festive spirit.

Fun Friday!

We began wrapping up January with a fantastic Fun Friday on the Meadows floor, filled with singing, dancing to lively music and plenty of balloon games. We even had a little helper join in, adding to the fun and energy of the day! The staff got into the spirit by wearing silly wigs, while our residents joined the fun by choosing colourful hats to wear. It was a wonderfully interactive day, full of smiles and moments shared by all.

Celebrating World Compliment Day

It was World Compliment Day this month and we truly had a complimenting day! Our residents spent the day sharing thoughtful compliments with each other and the staff, creating a warm and positive atmosphere. The kind words brought smiles all around and had a wonderful effect on everyone’s wellbeing. Here are just a few of the lovely compliments we shared. To add to the fun, we also enjoyed an anagram game—a favourite on the Willows unit! It was a fantastic day filled with lots of kindness.

Joining in with the Big Garden Birdwatch

We had a wonderful time taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch. Although we only spotted a couple of birds visiting our garden, it didn’t dampen our spirits! We enjoyed the fresh air, good company and the peacefulness of being outdoors. While we waited for more feathered friends to appear, we had great fun discussing plans for our greenhouse and deciding what to plant this year. It was a day filled with nature, conversation and fresh ideas for the seasons ahead.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Newgate Lodge had a wonderful time celebrating Chinese New Year! 2025 is the Year of the Snake, a symbol of wisdom, intuition and transformation. We love celebrating the diversity and unique traditions that make each culture special. Our residents enjoyed delicious Chinese food, listened to traditional Chinese music and watched YouTube videos of lively Chinese New Year celebrations. They shared fortunes from the fortune cookies and had fun discovering which Chinese zodiac animals they were. We also spent time colouring snakes and dragons, while some residents chose to do a Chinese word search. The highlight of the day was playing Chinese bingo, which was a huge hit on both floors, with family members and staff joining in the fun. It was a vibrant day filled with colour, flavour and lots of music – celebrating the spirit of the season together! 

Celebrating Dignity Action Day

We marked Dignity Action Day, an important event held annually on February 1st to raise awareness about the significance of dignity in care and to highlight the rights of those using care services. Our residents and staff participated in meaningful group discussions about how we like to be treated and how we can show dignity and respect to others. We also read dignity poems and reviewed posters featuring pictures that encouraged reflection on these values. Together, our staff and residents worked to match various scenarios with the right categories, and we explored the 10 Dignity Dos, discussing how we implement each one within our care home. Additionally, some of our staff have proudly signed up to be Dignity Champions, committed to promoting and upholding dignity in all aspects of care. It was a thoughtful and impactful day, reinforcing the importance of respect, kindness and care for everyone.

To discover more about our range of activities and how we can care for your loved one at Newgate Lodge Care Home, reach out to our friendly team.

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