Burford House Care Home: Meet Birinder

Our Activities Lead helps residents in Chorleywood live life to the fullest

A Journey in Care Burford House Care Home in Chorleywood is known for its warm, family atmosphere and engaging lifestyle for residents. A big part of that experience comes from Birinder, the Activities Lead at Burford House Care Home, who creates meaningful activities that bring joy, connection and purpose to daily life.

Before joining Burford House in 2022, Birinder built up a wealth of experience in local care homes, having worked in the sector since 2006. Prior to this, she devoted her time to raising her children and supporting their education, laying the foundation for the nurturing approach she brings to her work today.

A Passion for Joy and Connection For Birinder, becoming an Activities Lead was a natural calling. With a lifelong passion for working with people, she was drawn to a role that blends creativity with care. “What I love most about Burford House is the sense of family. There is a genuine warmth here, and everyone, staff and residents alike, truly cares for one another,” she shares.

The Best Part of the Job When asked what she enjoys most, Birinder doesn’t hesitate: “The smiles.” Whether it is during a lively music session or a simple craft activity, seeing the residents’ faces light up brings her immense joy. She loves bringing people together, rediscovering old passions and introducing new experiences.

Creative Ideas Rooted in Listening Many of Birinder’s activity ideas start with simply listening. She learns about residents’ stories, hobbies and life experiences to design activities that feel personal and meaningful. She also draws inspiration from seasonal events, awareness days and reminiscence therapy. “It is a combination of research, creativity and really understanding our residents,” she explains. By working closely with the team and families, she can design a variety of activities that make each day more engaging and enriching.

Favourite Memories: “Through the Decades” One standout activity for Birinder was a “Through the Decades” themed week. Each day celebrated a different era with music, food, fashion and trivia. “It sparked so many memories and stories,” she recalls. Residents shared dances from their youth and the atmosphere was filled with energy and laughter.

Tailoring Activities for Everyone Inclusivity is at the heart of Birinder’s approach. She carefully adapts activities to suit different cognitive and physical abilities. This may mean simplifying steps, offering calmer alternatives or ensuring that everyone feels able to take part in their own way.

Supporting Wellbeing Through Activities Activities play a vital role in cognitive, emotional and physical well-being. They offer structure, a sense of purpose and a sense of belonging. “Whether it is group laughter or quiet satisfaction from completing a puzzle, these moments build confidence and connections,” she explains.

A Memorable Breakthrough One of Birinder’s most moving memories came from a music session. A resident who had previously been withdrawn and hesitant to join any group sessions suddenly began to sing along to a song from her youth. That moment of connection opened the door for her to join more activities, a reminder to Birinder of how powerful music and memory can be.

Celebrating Achievement: NAPA Level 3 Accreditation We are incredibly proud to share that Birinder has recently completed her Level 3 NAPA (National Activity Providers Association) accreditation. This professional milestone reflects her dedication to creating meaningful, person-centred experiences for residents. The training has been a transformative journey for her, shifting her focus from simply organising activities to deeply understanding their purpose and impact.

She shares, “One of the most powerful and rewarding outcomes of my journey with NAPA has been witnessing the enhanced stimulation and improved participation among our residents. The visible changes in their personalities, the uplift in their self-esteem, the emotional engagement and even intellectual stimulation have been truly unique to see.”

Looking Ahead With an eye on the future, Birinder hopes to expand the activities programme to include more intergenerational opportunities, community partnerships and technology-based experiences such as virtual museum tours. Her goal is to keep evolving the programme so residents remain engaged, stimulated and connected to the world around them.

Life at Burford House Life at Burford House is enriched every day by Birinder’s creativity, passion and commitment to residents’ wellbeing. Her work is just one example of how Burford House Care Home offers so much more than care. It provides a vibrant community where residents feel included, valued and supported.

If you are looking for a care home in Chorleywood where every resident is encouraged to live life to the fullest, we invite you to discover Burford House Care Home.

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