As a result of a successful pilot project to assess the benefits of regular physiotherapy sessions for care home residents and staff, Hadrian Healthcare Group is to continue the programme and extend it throughout the group.

For the pilot project a bespoke package was designed and delivered by physiotherapy practice Physiotherapy Matters. The sessions ran for 12 weeks (from late September to late December) at two of the group’s six care homes.

Women’s rugby league club the Oulton Raidettes has received a boost of £800 from local care home Oulton Manor, part of Hadrian Healthcare Group.

Kim Eames, lifestyle coordinator at Oulton Manor said: “The club is based close to Oulton Manor and we have great views over the pitch so our residents can enjoy watching matches both at the ground and from the comfort of our lounges.

A group of 13 staff from luxury elderly care provider Hadrian Healthcare are the first in the country to achieve a new Ofqual/ROSPA Qualifications accredited Level 3 moving and handling training qualification.

Specialist equipment supplier Britton Price provides the ‘Train the Trainer’ course, which qualifies participants to train to Level 2 (People Handling) and Level 1 (Load Handling), specifically for the care and nursing home sector.

Residents from The Manor House care home in Barnard Castle visited Orchard Cottage in Beamish.

The 1940s farm cottage is full of familiar sights, sounds, smells and tastes for people who lived through the war years. Beamish’s specially trained staff led conversation, reminiscence and activity sessions which included making toast on the open fire, which the residents then enjoyed eating with homemade jam and lots of tea.

Some unusual guests have made a visit to The Manor House care home in Barnard Castle, to the delight of the residents who met them.

Hoot the southern white-faced Scops owl, a tiger salamander named Sam and a French Lop rabbit called Molly to name a few were accompanied by handler Martyn from Teesside-based animal experience company Animal Story.