Image: Ann Sebright, Valerie Hopkins & Maria Robinson. Credit: The Rectory Care Home.
Hearing residents’ laugh is crucial for activities coordinator
Hearing laughter from care home residents is the secret to success as an activities coordinator says Maria Robinson, who has made cracking jokes and creating a fun environment a major part of her job description.
“I believe no matter who you are or what walk of life you come from, if you can make someone laugh, you’ll have a friend for life and we laugh a lot”, says Maria, who works at The Rectory Care Home in Taunton.
The thirty-seven year old who has lived in Taunton for 20 years has been involved with the care sector since she left school.
Maria was told about the activities coordinator job at the care home by a friend who ‘thought I would be perfect for it’.
‘Laughter is the best medicine’
Abbie Foster, who manages The Rectory Care Home agreed. The care home offers dementia care for up to 25 residents. It is run by White Care Group, which has two other dementia care homes in Somerset, St Benedict’s in Glastonbury and St Cecilia in Shepton Mallet.
The activities coordinator is the oldest of eight siblings and loves organising group activities for care home residents.
Maria says: “What we aim to do at The Rectory is provide a home-from-home environment for our residents, who are all living with dementia, and we provide a varied activities programme to keep them happy and engaged.
“There is a lot of emphasis on making sure they still feel part of the local community, so there are plenty of visitors and outings to promote that.
‘We try and provide something for everyone’
“We try to provide something for everyone, so there’s music, movement, games and quizzes, craft activities, baking and lots of conversation and reminiscence, because there’s nothing more important than that personal connection.
“I’m really enjoying the relationships and friendships I’m building here, not only with the team but with the residents too.”
