More than a home from home…
SEPTEMBER 2023
Newsletter
W
elcome to our second
Newsletter of 2023.
We are pleased to share our news
and fun entertainment with you.
It is difcult to capture all the special
moments – and we have lots of them -
but hopefully our newsletters provide
a glimpse of family life at Northcourt
Lodge Nursing Home.
As always, we welcome volunteers.
Recently we have had the pleasure of
two teenagers on work experience.
Often caring for the elderly or less able,
the enjoyment is twofold; meaningful
and rewarding for both resident and
you as an individual. If you play an
instrument; happy to engage
in an activity; or chat on a one-to-one
basis – it will make a difference and
bring a smile to a face.
Refurbishment at Northcourt
continues. We now have new ooring
in most of the bedrooms and communal
areas.
We’ve enjoyed lots of entertainment!
Ileana is relentless in her enthusiasm
and joyful spirit. We share some of our
pastimes and events inside. We had
a great summer party – we hope you
enjoyed it as much as we did!
And nally, Northcourt Lodge now
has a carehome.uk rating of 9.6.
Thank you for
your continued
support and
favourable
feedback.
Best wishes,
Revathy
Registered Manager,
Northcourt Lodge
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2
8 May 2023
Sylvia Chandler - 94 years young
‘Our sunshine girl’
19 May 2023
Jillian Regan - 80 years young
‘Our sweetheart – with great humility’
23 June 2023
Margaret Smith - 86 years young
‘Our giggler’
30 June 2023
Yvonne Speirs - 85 years young
‘Always quietly determined’
Birthday
HAPPY
TO YOU!
3
3
4 July 2023
Sylvia Woodley - 90 years young
‘Our queen of quizzes’
12 July 2023
Shirley Charlton - 77 years young
‘Our charming lady’
21 July 2023
Geoffery Howard - 89 years young
‘A true gentleman’
13 August 2023
Margaret Mortimer - 85 years young
‘Our beauty queen’
7 August 2023
Derek Hensley - 88 years young
‘Always calm and smiling’
TO YOU!
4
Rajvir has been a great asset
to the Northcourt team since
August 2022
Rajvir was born in a small town in
Punjab, India, into the Sikh community.
Childhood was not easy as her father
died of a sudden heart attack which
made life a struggle for her mother to
bring Rajvir and her younger
brother up single handedly.
To progress as a
female child in India
was difcult as girls
were not allowed
to go outside their
state for education.
However, Rajvir had a
zest to learn and with
encouragement from her
mother she completed her
studies in a private school in her
hometown.
Rajvir was later able to secure
a 3-year nursing diploma far
from home. Upon qualication
Rajvir worked six years for a
government hospital which
enabled her to nancially
support her family.
Rajvir has a wonderful
husband and via his family
was introduced to Northcourt
Lodge Nursing Home. Recognising
Rajvir’s talent and ability, Northcourt
provided visa sponsorship for Rajvir
to come to the UK as a Senior Carer.
Currently she is training to be an RGN
in the UK.
Employee of the Quarter bets Rajvir
due to her beautiful demeanour
and kindness. Rajvir is hardworking,
supportive, and always
patient and caring to the
residents.
Employee of the Quarter...
Congratulations to Rajvir Kaur
Always
patient and
caring to the
residents
Down Memory Lane…
Kulsum Paracha.
K
ulsum has resided at
Northcourt Lodge since
2019. Born in December
1932 in Lahore, Pakistan, Kulsum
grew up with 8 siblings, with much of
her childhood witnessing poverty as
a large family. Despite the struggles,
Kulsum is immensely proud that each
sibling went on to make a success of
life...
As a young teen, Kulsum although
excelling academically, left school
as was normal with girls within the
community back then and was married
to the younger brother, Shaja, of her
sister’s husband. Kulsum and Shaja
moved to Nairobi, Kenya joining
the in-laws ever-extending family.
Consisting of ve brothers and Kulsum
and her sister they lived together in a
two-storey property. All the brothers
worked in the printing industry.
Kulsum was domesticated and a gifted
cook looking after the extended family
home. She was also an outstanding
seamstress, often clothing the children
and community in her creations.
Kulsum’s rst 3 children, Nasa, Aleem,
Nahida were born in Nairobi.
5
Kulsum with her great grandchild Sarana
Kulsum and Shaja wih their daughter Nasa
Shaja was a hardworking and ambitious
man and in 1964 moved the family to
Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. He secured a
job as department head in a newspaper
company. Whilst Shaja was driven and
gregarious, Kulsum complimented
perfectly with her calm, reserved
nature. Kulsum and Shaja often
returned to Nairobi - once he drove
from Dar-as-Salaam to Nairobi through
villages and jungles on dirt track –
their very own safari. After school
the children enjoyed free spirited
childhoods, they spent leisure
time by house gates (where
mothers and children
gathered) or visited
the beach feasting on
mangoes and coconuts to
name a few.
In the 1970’s life was changing in
Tanzania; English schools
became Swahili, and
endless queuing in
searing heat was
required for rationed
groceries. In quest to
protect the family, they
decided to move to the
UK. Shaja’s elder brother
secured a job for him at
Eastern Press, Katesgrove
Lane. Kulsum and her family were
to adapt to a completely new culture.
For the rst time Kulsum seeked work
and her amazing sewing skills and
speed were recognised during her
employment at Mr Harrys. Kulsum and
Shaja bought their family home, 48
Edgehill Street, which would become
a place lled with memories. Their
youngest daughter Faiza was born
1975, raised by her elder siblings.
Kulsum often visited Southall for
fabrics and spices for her curries for
traditional Pakistani foods. Kulsum was
creative and thrifty (often aghast at
excessive purchases by her daughters!)
Often Bollywood music was playing in
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Kulsum Paracha. Down Memory Lane…
Shaja on right meeting President Nyarere of Tanzania at his
work place.
Granddaughter Zahraa henna night with Kulsum
Kulsum
is settled and
comfortable as part
of the Northcourt
family’
the background whilst Kulsum sewed
upstairs, and Shaja tinkered with the
car outside or spent time gardening.
Post-retirement they often visited
Pakistan. Holiday adventures didn’t
stop for the family as they travelled the
UK visiting beaches remembering old
times. As their children married and
their family grew, Kulsum spent time
raising grandchildren, dressing them
in her knitted cardigans and booties.
No weekend at their grandparents was
complete without her signature masala
sh and chapatti or pakora curry – the
kids ask for it to this day!
Shaja sadly suffered a stroke in 1995
and Kulsum was his main carer. His
health declined over 20 years. Kulsum
was distraught by her husband’s death
in 2016 so she shared time between
her daughters Nasa and Nahida and
lived with them alternatively. As signs
of dementia appeared, the family
turned to Northcourt Lodge for care
and stability. It was familiar as Shaja
stayed for respite and the staff speak
the native language which benets
Kulsum greatly.
7
Kulsum Paracha. Down Memory Lane…
Family Holiday by seaside in Dar-es - Salaam
‘Mum remains alert
and her memory often
serves well. She still knits
although complains it’s
all gone wrong!’
Holiday in Pakistan in Murree with youngest brother
Granddaughter Zahraa engagement with Kulsum in pink her
sister in blue daughter Nasa, Faiza and Nahida with Omar
grandson
Another Birthday
We’re getting t at Northcourt -
thanks to Benjamin Eames of G Fitness.
Focus on… G Fitness
“Working with the residents at Northcourt Lodge has
brought me immense joy. Witnessing their progress
and being a part of their health and well-being journey
has been incredibly rewarding and I look forwards
to continuing this support”
G Fitness has been working with care
homes since 2008 to provide exercise
therapy encouraging residents to keep
healthy and active.
Ben Eames has most certainly won the
affection of Northcourt residents! His
chair-based exercises are enjoyable
and amusing but also encompass a
range of physiotherapy techniques.
Exercises using resistance bands,
foam balls and bean bags encourages
joint mobility and muscle strength
but added to that are interactive and
inclusive games with background
music of our favourite songs.
8
9
What a great way to spend a
morning enhancing cognitive
function and promoting mental
and physical wellbeing!
Ben has gained a BSc in Sport
and Exercise Science and an MSc
in Strength and Conditioning,
and his professional background
has enabled him to work with
esteemed teams such as Leeds
Rhinos, Nottingham Forest FC,
and Reading FC.
Whilst we at Northcourt Lodge
may not reach such sporting
heights – we are inspired to ex
our muscles and joints… and
have great fun doing it!
Singing
IN THE
RAIN
...
Sunshine!
We nally celebrated our Summer BBQ,
blessed with blue skies, warm weather
and great company.
10
Thank you to everyone for joining us and
for making it such an enjoyable afternoon!
11
12
Busy, busy, busy!
FUN, FUN, FUN!
Although the sun hasn’t been shining as much as we’d like,
that hasn’t dampened our spirits!
Thanks to Dave’s Ices –
who visited us at Northcourt
Lodge – we all enjoyed a ’99!
We get in the swing of
things when we have musical
movement with Coral!
13
Busy, busy, busy!
FUN, FUN, FUN!
Although the sun hasn’t been shining as much as we’d like,
that hasn’t dampened our spirits!
Patricia from Zoo Lab who
introduced us to some
interesting tropical animals!
We love our 1970 and 1980
sing-a-longs with Gary Allen!
14
Some of us even ventured
out in the Readibus to
Winnersh Garden Centre
and enjoyed a coffee.
(There is only facility for 3 wheelchairs
at a time, so we plan to do different
excursions on a rotational basis so that
all residents have the opportunity. Next
venture is seeing the Christmas lights in
Reading town centre)
But daily we are so lucky to
have Ileana who keeps us busy and entertained.
We sing, we laugh, we play bat and ball, bowling,
do quizzes, bingo, make cards, painting with
spoons, create ower posies and we’ve even
grown gladioli – check out our painted
vases too!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Bollywood dance
11th October
Halloween party
31st October
Resident’s afternoon
22nd November
Garden centre visit
30th November
Christmas party
2nd December
Carol Bells
15th December
Well done
Blessey!
We are very proud of Blessey
James who has now completed
her UK nursing qualication!
Blessey was a qualied nurse in
India for 20 years so she brings
much knowledge and skillset
with her.
Blessey has been at Northcourt
for two years and has worked
very hard to gain this RGN UK
status. She is a calm, caring and
talented team member. Blessey
is adored by the residents and
fully deserves this accreditation.
15
Volunteers at
Northcourt Lodge
There are many reasons why volunteering
at Northcourt Lodge is rewarding!
Whether you are young, working or retired, you can make a difference to our residents.
We have recently had the pleasure of two students from Waingels College, Woodley
and Wren, Bath Road, Reading. We also are reaching out to anyone who can spend time
talking on a one-one basis, assist in our activities program, or perhaps have a talent that
would provide valuable entertainment. Whether you can spend an hour, a morning or a
regular slot, we’d love to hear from you!
16
“Hi my name is Ephraim Ditty
and I am currently a student in
year 12 at Waingels College.
I came to Northcourt Lodge
Nursing Home to get a sense of
what the working life was like
for a caregiver. I was hoping
to improve my condence by
working with new people in my
time here and I am happy to
say that it has been successful.
My time here has been great
so far, the staff are lovely, and
the residents are also very
nice to me. It is truly a great
experience, and I would love to
be involved again.”
“My name is Angel Anna James. The week
I spent at Northcourt Lodge Nursing was
an amazing experience. I believe I learnt a
lot which will help me in my future career
as I would like to work in the medical eld.
During my time at the home, I have learnt
how to help care for the residents, keep
them entertained and even how to clean
out the sh tank (which I have never
wanted to do!)
The experience will be good for my
personal statement and will help me
standout when applying for a university
place next year.
The staff at Northcourt were very caring,
helping, making sure everything was
alright and they were very entertaining.
Overall, it was a great week.”
Hairdresser & Podiatrist
Volunteers at
Northcourt Lodge
Please let us know if you want to reserve a space for your loved one…
Hairdressing
Price List
Ladies
Shampoo and set £18.00
Shampoo, cut and set £26.00
Shampoo and blow dry £18.00
Shampoo, cut and blow dry £26.00
Ladies cut £20.00
Perm - cut/set/blow dry £60.00
Gentlemen
Cut £8.50
Beard trim £3.00
Our fabulous hairdresser
Michael Ludford visits every
Thursday.
Our fabulous podiatrist Indra
Narine visits approximately
every 6 weeks.
The next dates scheduled are:
31 August 2023
12 October 2023
23 November 2023
Each session costs £25
17
Northcourt Lodge has increased it’s
rating to 9.6 carehome.co.uk
You can help spread the word by completing
the carehome.co.uk questionnaire on the
following link:
reviewsubmit/3035/rcsid/1012/
Your support is appreciated.
Thank you to Jessica Emmanuela Jayakumar
and Angeline Anna James for circulating our
brochures which highlights our lovely home.
Rated: Good
DOCTORS SURGERY
South Reading and
Shineld Medical Practice
T: 01184 029177, 01189 313515
More than a home from home…
65 Northcourt Avenue, Reading RG2 7HF
0118 987 5062 manager@northcourtnursinghome.co.uk
