Coronation fun and community

The Huntington & Langham Estate pulled out all the stops for the Kingโ€™s Coronation. Bunting and face painting brought back memories for many of the Queenโ€™s Coronation street parties from 1953, while the Coronation quiche sparked conversation about traditions both new and old.

Events such as the Coronation are perfect opportunities for people who live and work in care homes to come together as one. Creating decorations together, painting each otherโ€™s faces, and chipping in with food preparation; it is not just a good excuse for a celebration (although of course it is!) but a reminder of everyoneโ€™s ability to contribute to their community.

Coronation face painting

The Huntington and Langham Estate encourages this type of mutual interaction daily by following a 100-point checklist, which is externally audited by Meaningful Care Matters to ensure it is embedded into the care culture.

Point No. 7 in the checklist is Two-Way Giving, which promotes people living in the home to offer love, care and support to the people working in the home.

This role reversal, of sorts, might sound mundane, or even a little odd, to people independent enough to cook, craft and communicate themselves, but for people in need of care, particularly specialist dementia care, it can bring much needed meaning to their lives and a feeling of being a help rather than a hinderance, which is a fear of so many.

Coronation fun

Not all septuagenarians can be king and serve their country, but even the most reliant care home residents can contribute more than they are often given credit for.ย Let the Coronation be a reminder that no-one is too old to serve, even if it is a slice of quiche!

You can find out more about our approach to Dementia Care HERE

Butterfly Training Session one

May has seen the start of our 2023 Butterfly project, with our new home action team joined by Sally Knocker from Meaningful Care Matters to deliver session one of the programme.

Butterfly Training Day

With a number of new members of the team if was a fantastic introduction to our approach to Dementia care at Langham Court and a brilliant refresher for the team.

Butterfly Training Session one

The focus of the day was centred around developing listening skills and enhancing our ability to engage with those living with Dementia and each other.

A third focus of the day was using dancing to create meaningful moment and fun to our interactions with each other.

I was inspired by the importance ofย  enabling the people who live here at Langham Court to have positive experiences, by creating a true and comfortable home environment by focusing on the emotional psychological and spiritual needs of each person, whilst caring for their physical needs.

Helen – Nurse at Langham Courtย ย 

Helen - Nurse at Langham Court

 

The Butterfly approach is intrinsic in the Dementia Care offered at Langham Court, making us stand out as one of the leading specialist dementia care homes.

For more information click here

Celebrating like Royalty

What a wonderful weekend of Coronation Celebrations we have had across the Estate.ย  With the bunting up and flag flying over Huntington House, the place was all decked out in Red, White and Blue with the restaurant fit for a New King!

Coronation Celebrations

Everyone had such a fun day on Saturday watching the Coronation on TV, marvelling at the outfits and singing along to the hymns.

For many it was an opportunity for reminiscing about the Queens Coronation all those years ago, when families and neighbours came together to crowd around the TV bought especially or listening to the service over the radio.

Coronation Celebrations

We were also joined earlier in the week by some of the local primary school children who came along to help decorate the lounge window in Huntington House.

With cheers of “God Save The King” it was a very special day for all.

A visit from the Easter Bunny & friends

We had some surprise guests at Huntington House on Easter Monday, including a Rabbit, Hen, Lambs, Guinea pig and lovely white Duck.With memories of reading Beatrix Potter stories and looking family pets to main topics of conversation, the visit brightened up a wet bank holiday.

Animal Fun On The Estate

Animal assisted therapy sessions are a regular event at Huntington House and Langham Court, proving to be a great mood lifter and conversation topic.

Getting up close to the animals and being able to cuddle, stroke and feed them gives a feeling of calm, stimulate the senses and has medical benefits such as lowering blood pressure.

Read more about our recommended therapeutic activities that can nurture your mental health.

Easter Pottery Painting

The crafting continues at The Huntington & Langham Estate after moving seamlessly from making greetings cards for Valentineโ€™s Day to painting pots for Spring bulbs.

The residents at Huntington House have been busy again with a visit from Dolly Pots who run mobile ceramics painting sessions. We spent a lovely morning decorating the plant pots, Easter bunnies and baskets before they then went off to be fired, before being returned in time for planting up and displaying around Huntington House over the Easter weekend.

The painting brought people together and prompted plenty of conversation about the changes of the season and all things Spring, and also offered a sense of purpose for people wanting to continue their love of gardening.

Pottery painting

Moving into a care home is often prompted by the daunting prospect of continuing to look after a whole house and garden independently. However, it doesnโ€™t have to spell the end of a love of gardening.

In fact, many of the bedrooms at The Huntington & Langham Estate have their own manageable garden areas or direct access to an area of patio you can personalise. Indeed, there is also 30 acres of grounds to enjoy as well, with blossom trees in full bloom at this beautiful time of year.

Our ethos of personalised and loving care

When the family of one our ladies living in Huntington House, came to take her out for lunch last week, she wasnโ€™t ready, and her family werenโ€™t in the least bit surprised or upset.

Thatโ€™s because she isย a fan of having a boiled egg for her breakfast, and, having carefully taken the top off her egg, it wasn’t quite cooked to her liking, so she hadย requested another one which was a little runnier.ย  We obliged with pleasure, so she could savour the breakfast she wanted before getting up and dressed.

This story is just one example of how residents enjoy our personalised, loving, caring approach. Our ethos is that every one of our residents has a meaningful day, choosing what they do and when they do it based on how they feel. From the moment they wake up, our residentsโ€™ emotional health, care, dignity and desires are always at least as important as their physical needs. ย This is the gold standard of personalised care we work to 24/7/365.

ย Family care in a home from home

Huntington House is family owned and run, and residents are treated like family. Residents and our team are free to be themselves in the warm, welcoming, homely and friendly environment weโ€™ve created over the years โ€“ a quintessentially English country house suffused with love.

At Huntington House, we always go above and beyond to meet residentsโ€™ needs, and they get the nurturing support needed to be independent and live a full life. ย ย Residents can do all the things they enjoyed before moving in – walking, painting, singing, talking, debating, creating and more โ€“ and can participate in all the activities and socialising they want and need, with the reassurance of round-the-clock care.

Walk into the house, and youโ€™ll see residentsโ€™ art on the walls and their interests and desires reflected in whatโ€™s happening at each given moment. Bedrooms are comfortable and welcoming but are just one of the areas where residents can spend time and enjoy themselves.

Window decorations

Residents and their families are encouraged to explore our 30 acres of beautiful grounds, help with our garden or wander through the woods to see the sheep, chickens and horses who share our space.ย  This is very popular with our younger visitors!

Less mobile residents are accompanied by a team member whenever they want to go outside, whether for a gentle walk or a chance to sit and get some fresh air.

The Huntington and Langham Estate taxi

All you need is love

Unusually for our industry, our staff are positively encouraged to connect with residents, love them and care for them as if they were family.

We have higher than average staffing ratios to facilitate the levels of care we provide. Thatโ€™s why, much like visiting a family home, when you explore the house and grounds, youโ€™ll hear impromptu debates and conversations, see residents going on outings, laughing and chatting as they do crafts and hobbies or suggesting to the care team how seasonal decorations should be arranged.ย  A contented hubbub fills the air, and thatโ€™s all down to our excellent team.

Our Home Makers and Carers are handpicked for their ability to effortlessly initiate stimulating activities and conversations. Every day, they take the time to create memorable moments for residents based on each personโ€™s personality and needs.

Recently, a quiz question led to a conversation between a carer and a lady living in Huntington House, where they discussed the residentโ€™s female partner and looked at photos together, with her beaming as she recalled a long-ago day out and had the time to reflect on her memories and talk about her love.

What shall we do today?

At Huntington House, no two people are the same, and no two days are the same. Thatโ€™s why we say no to rotas, schedules and timetables and why informality, flexibility and spontaneity are so important to us all.

Visit or live with us, and youโ€™ll never hear someone say, โ€œIโ€™m off to do 32โ€.ย  You or your loved one will remain a person, not a number, a human being deserving of dignity and respect who is positively encouraged to continue living a full and enjoyable life with our loving support.

โ€œThe home has been exemplary in its care for my father. On his recent death, the staff members seemed just as upset as I was! The management is caring and hands-on; its supervision instils a caring attitude, which is so much the ethos of Huntington House from every member of staff. We have seen the kindness and willingness to do anything they can. I would not hesitate to recommend Huntington House.โ€ โ€“ Janet S

At the Huntington & Langham Estate, we provide luxury care across our two specialist care homes.ย  ย Family-owned and run, we offer dignified, compassionate and personalised care to our residents, giving them the nurturing support they need to continue living full, independent and meaningful lives.

We are Butterfly and Dragonfly accredited and both homes have a Care Quality commission Good rating.

To arrange a visit to the Estate and tour our homes and grounds, please call 01428 604 600 or complete this form. ย 

How we beat the winter blues with crafts and baking

With the Christmas decorations taken down and Christmas cake all but crumbs in the tin, what better way to beat the winter blues than some craft making and baking.

Crafting and baking

Christopher had a great morning decorating some freshly made buns, whilst Graham and Sue wrapped up for a lovely walk around the estate in the warm winter sun.

Window decorations

Our colouful winter window display had the perfect backdrop of a snowy lawn outside of Huntington House, for residents using the lounge to enjoy a chat whilst continuing with their hobbies. Michael particularly enjoyed some colouring.

For more ideas to help relieve the winter blues take a look at our Art therapy activities ideas

From Care Home Resident to Managing Director

Growing up on The Huntington and Langham Estate, where his mother Marylin created our two specialist care homes in Surrey, gave Charlie a unique upbringing. Charlie now runs the family business and describes how his special upbringing has shaped his career.

As MD of Huntington House which offers Residential Nursing Care and Langham Court a Specialist Dementia Care Home, Charlie shares his journey from being a young care home resident to Managing Director and why he is so passionate about the holistic care they offer residents of both homes.

Located in Hindhead these family focused care homes are accredited Dragonfly and Butterfly homes and rated Good by the Quality Care Commission.

A Musical Christmas

We have had a wonderful build up to the festive season with our resident musicians coming into Huntington House to entertain all our residents.

Tracey gave a great rendition of Rudolph the red nose reindeer which can been seen via this link –ย Christmas Music At Huntington House

Whilst Kevin took to the Piano in the restaurant and surrounded by all the wonderful decorations played Have a Merry Little Christmas, also available to watch here –ย Christmas Music At Huntington House2

Yuri our tenor completed the afternoon with festive carols, delighting the residents.

Music at Huntington House

 

 

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Preparations are underway for decorating the homes ready for Christmas.ย  With a number of visits to the local garden centre’s and potteries this month.

Bill and Alex went on a recce trip to scout out the lights and tinsel options, as well as a little gift shopping.Christmas Decorating

Mrs Lumley, Miss Wilmott, Veronica and Alex then took a trip to Grayshott Pottery to stock up with more new decorations and of course made time for some tea and cake!

Christmas Decorations

A visit to the Forest Lodge Garden Centre by Elizabeth, June, Veronica and Alex, means we now have a bumper selection of ideas and decorations ready to get the homes into the festive spirit.

Christmas decorations

Watch this space for pictures of how our wonderful homemakers transform the homes into the festive spirit.