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Over the past several weeks, Park View Care Home has been a hub of laughter, creativity, and connection. Our dedicated team has continued to provide a vibrant and supportive environment where residents can truly thrive — physically, mentally, and emotionally. We’ve seen such joy across the home as a variety of engaging activities brought smiles, sparked conversations, and created lasting memories.

Gentle Exercise & Movement Sessions

Staying active is a key part of healthy ageing, and our exercise sessions are designed to support mobility, strength, and overall well-being which are essential for preserving independence. Residents have taken part in group chair-based exercises, light stretching routines, and movement games — all guided by our trained staff.  It’s always a delight to see our residents feeling energised and empowered.

Cooking & Baking Activities

Our kitchen has been buzzing with activity as residents join in for cooking and baking sessions. From preparing simple, wholesome meals to baking cakes and treats, these hands-on activities evoke fond memories and encourage independence. It’s more than just making food — it’s about sharing stories, tasting familiar flavours, and taking pride in creating something together. The aroma of freshly baked goods has certainly added a homely charm to our afternoons!

Movie Afternoons in Our In-House Cinema

There’s something truly comforting about settling in for a good film — and our in-house cinema has become a favourite spot for many. With a carefully selected mix of classic films, comedies, and feel-good favourites, movie afternoons offer a relaxing escape and an opportunity to reminisce. Complete with popcorn and cosy seating, the experience is designed to feel just like a trip to the cinema — without leaving the comfort of home.

Walks in the Park & Outdoor Enjoyment

With the changing seasons painting the landscape, our residents have enjoyed regular walks in the nearby park and time spent in our garden spaces. These outdoor moments offer a peaceful connection with nature — the sound of birds, the rustle of trees, and the warmth of the sun all contribute to a calming, rejuvenating experience. The gentle routine of walking, along with the familiarity of outdoor surroundings, promotes orientation and grounding.

Games & Social Fun

From bingo and trivia quizzes to board games and card tournaments, our residents love a bit of friendly competition! Games are a great way to stimulate the mind, encourage laughter. The lively atmosphere during game time is always infectious, with plenty of banter, celebration, and light-hearted fun.

Arts & Crafts for Creative Expression

Creativity has flourished in our arts and crafts sessions, where residents have been busy painting, drawing, making seasonal decorations, and exploring different materials. These sessions offer a fantastic outlet for self-expression and can be both relaxing and mentally stimulating.

A Thriving, Happy Community

More than just a care home, Park View is a place where friendships grow, talents are nurtured, and every individual is celebrated. The past few weeks have been a true testament to the spirit of our community — full of joy, laughter, and togetherness. Seeing our residents so engaged, happy, and connected has been incredibly rewarding for our team. We remain committed to creating a safe, nurturing, and vibrant environment where life continues to be lived to the fullest.

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Lee Mount’s newly developed Park View Care Home proudly celebrated its grand reopening with a special event on 13 May, 2025.

After two years of extensive redevelopment, the home has been transformed into a unique, open-plan, activity-based care environment, designed to meet the needs of older adults while creating a vibrant, welcoming space for residents and their families.

Park View Care Home, the sister home to Lee Mount Care Home, represents a significant investment in the local community and is set to provide residential, respite, and dementia care services in a modern and compassionate setting.

The care home has now welcomed its first residents and care team, setting a new standard in specialist dementia and elderly care.

The home features a purpose-built, open-plan layout informed by leading dementia research—encouraging independence, reducing confusion, and fostering meaningful engagement. A skilled and compassionate team delivers 24/7 personalised care, ensuring each resident feels safe, supported, and truly valued.

Among the standout facilities are a 10-seater cinema with a 140-inch screen, a vibrant creative studio, an interactive therapy kitchen, and a dedicated sensory relaxation area. Residents can also enjoy the Halifax Legends Sports Bar, a self-serve café, a traditional sweet shop, a library, an indoor exercise area, and a beautifully landscaped sensory garden.

A memorable reopening celebration welcomed guests including the Mayor of Calderdale, Danielle Durrans; Howard Priestley of Phoenix FM 96.7; community leaders; and local residents. Attendees enjoyed a warm and lively atmosphere, with speeches, tours of the new facilities, and plenty of opportunities to share in the excitement of this new chapter.

The Mayor of Calderdale, Danielle Durrans, shared moving words at the ceremony:

“It is a real honour to join you today for the official opening of Park View, a new and much-needed care home here in Ovenden, and the proud sister home to Lee Mount Care Home.

This is a moment that holds personal meaning for me. In 2016, my own mother spent a couple of months at Lee Mount. During that time, our family saw first-hand what compassionate, personalised care truly looks like. The staff did not just provide support — they provided warmth, dignity, and genuine kindness. They made my mother feel at home, and for that I remain deeply grateful.

That same spirit now lives on here at Park View. This new home is not just a building; it is a promise — a promise to care for our older residents with the respect they deserve, to create a safe and welcoming space where they can thrive, and to support families during times of change.

The design, the attention to comfort, and most importantly, the people who will work here reflect a true commitment to excellence and heart. It is clear that Park View is not just about delivering care, but about building a real sense of home and community.

So to everyone who helped bring Park View to life — thank you. You are not only changing the care landscape here in Calderdale — you are making a difference in people’s lives every single day.

Congratulations, and welcome to Park View.”

Councillor Ann Kingston, who also attended, praised the home’s development in her post:

“I was invited to the opening of the new Park View Care Home, under the same ownership as Lee Mount Care Home. The facilities are wonderful — including a cinema, library, music room, café kitchen, creative centre, Players Bar, and a tuck shop.

The care they provide for their residents is something we are exceptionally proud of locally, and we recognise the impact this has for both residents and their families.”

Not all care homes are created equal — this Halifax-based dementia and elderly care home has been carefully designed to offer more: more comfort, more connection, more value, and more joy.

We’d love for you to book a visit to look around and see first-hand the warm, welcoming environment we’ve created.

Stay tuned for more upcoming events by following our Facebook page!

To learn more about Park View Care Home, schedule a tour, or reserve a place, click here or call 01422 369081

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At Lee Mount, we understand the profound impact of staying connected with the community on our residents’ well-being. A few years ago, a survey revealed that many of our residents missed engaging in everyday activities such as shopping, visiting cafes, attending church, going to the library, watching movies at the cinema, and even simple tasks like posting a letter. This insight prompted us to rethink our approach to community engagement and develop strategies to help our residents maintain these connections.

The Challenge of Maintaining Everyday Activities

When individuals move into care homes, they often stop participating in the activities they once enjoyed by 80-90%. This significant reduction in engagement can be attributed to various factors, including the transition to a new living environment, the need for increased care, and logistical challenges related to outings. Activities like cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, and going out become less frequent, impacting their overall quality of life. Recognising this issue, we were determined to find ways to help our residents continue to engage in the community. However, this is not as simple as it sounds. There are numerous challenges, such as managing a busy care home environment, ensuring adequate staffing, arranging transportation, conducting safety and risk assessments, and more.

Developing a Routine for Community Engagement

Over time, we have developed a robust routine to facilitate community outings. We now have two dedicated activities coordinators, one of whom focuses specifically on organising community trips. This dedicated approach ensures we can provide consistent and meaningful opportunities for our residents to engage with the community. We have also signed up all our residents for the Access Bus service, which has significantly helped with transportation costs. This service is invaluable in making outings more accessible and affordable. To ensure fairness and safety, we tailor our outings to meet the individual needs of our residents. Those who require more support or have higher mobility challenges are often taken out one-to-one. This personalised approach allows us to cater to each resident’s needs, ensuring they can safely enjoy their time out.

The Positive Impact of Community Trips

The benefits of our community trips are now becoming increasingly evident. Our residents are building meaningful links within the community and becoming familiar faces at local businesses and events. The local community and businesses have been incredibly supportive, welcoming our residents and helping them feel included. We have observed a significant positive impact on our residents’ general well-being. Regular outings have boosted their spirits, provided a sense of purpose, and allowed them to maintain independence. The joy and satisfaction derived from these activities are immeasurable. Our commitment to being person-centred in our approach is highlighted by our efforts to tailor outings to individual interests. For instance, one of our residents, a devoted fan of the band Status Quo, is set to attend a surprise concert at the Piece Hall in town. We are all very excited about this personalised outing and showcasing our dedication to making our residents’ dreams come true.

Building Strong Community Links

Engaging with the community goes beyond just providing outings. It helps our residents feel valued and connected, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness. The relationships formed with local community members and businesses enrich our residents’ lives and foster a sense of belonging. We encourage other care homes to consider the benefits of facilitating community engagement for their residents. While there are challenges to overcome, the rewards are well worth the effort. The positive impact on residents’ well-being, the strengthened community ties, and the joy of seeing residents thrive make it a truly worthwhile endeavour.

At Lee Mount, we have a proud tradition of fundraising for local charities, having raised thousands of pounds over the past 7-8 years. While raising money for important causes is a significant outcome, the benefits of these efforts extend far beyond financial contributions. Engaging in fundraising activities has profound positive effects on our staff, residents, and the wider community.

A Break from Routine and a Source of Joy

Fundraising activities give our staff and residents a refreshing break from the daily routine. The preparation and execution of these events offer a much-needed change of pace, providing everyone with something exciting to look forward to. Whether it’s planning a bake sale, organising a charity auction, or hosting a community fair, these events inject a sense of purpose and enthusiasm into our daily lives. For our staff, these activities can alleviate day-to-day work stresses, fostering a more positive and cohesive team environment. The collaborative nature of fundraising projects encourages teamwork and creativity, helping to build stronger bonds among colleagues.

Resident Engagement and Empowerment

One of the most rewarding aspects of our fundraising efforts is the active involvement of our residents. Many of our residents take great pleasure in contributing to these events by crafting items for sale, manning stalls, or even choosing the charities we support. A particularly heartwarming example is the story of one of our residents who, as part of her 100th birthday celebrations, chose to support Overgate Hospice. She was passionate about giving back and continued to raise funds for Overgate every year until she passed away. Her dedication not only raised substantial funds but also inspired others to get involved and showed the profound impact that these activities can have on individual lives.

Building Strong Community Relationships

Fundraising activities significantly strengthen our connections within the local community. By supporting local charities, we build relationships with these organisations, often leading to ongoing collaborations. For example, our sustained efforts in supporting Overgate Hospice have resulted in a strong, mutually beneficial relationship. Overgate regularly provides our staff with specialist training in end-of-life care, enhancing our residents’ quality of care. These relationships are invaluable, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. They also allow our residents to interact with the broader community, enhancing their social well-being and sense of belonging.

Enhancing the Service Reputation

Participating in fundraising activities can also enhance the reputation of care home services. Commitment to the community and local causes helps build trust and respect from current and prospective residents and their families. It shows that the care home is dedicated not only to the well-being of its residents but also to the welfare of the wider community.

Personal Recommendation

Based on our experiences at Lee Mount, I highly recommend that other care home services consider engaging in fundraising activities. The benefits are manifold: financial support for worthy causes, improved staff morale, enriched resident lives, stronger community ties, and a positive public image. Fundraising is more than just raising money; it’s about building a vibrant, connected community and enriching the lives of everyone involved. By Manjinder (Boo) Dhiman Registered Manager/Director