Activities at Overslade House Care Home

Residents enjoyed a fascinating virtual visit to the Harrogate Chocolate Factory.

The Factory was founded by Harrogate Skills 4 Living, a registered charity that provides care, support and accommodation to people in the Harrogate District with learning disabilities and autism.

We had a brilliant time with Harrogate Skills 4 Living as they took us on a wonderful virtual visit to their Harrogate Chocolate Factory.

Our residents were thrilled to discover details about the chocolate-making process and the fascinating journey from bean to bar, all while enjoying some delicious sweet treats.

The Factory aims to employ people with learning disabilities and autism, involving them in all parts of the process, from sorting and roasting the beans to packaging and sales.

The experience was truly enjoyed by all.

Following this residents talked about Cadbury’s Chocolate Factory in Birmingham, we did a quick tour of that followed by scenic canal journeys from Birmingham to Fazeley.

Residents Nathan, John, Peter and Phil  agreed unanimously that the mint chocolate was the overall winner.

Happy International Women’s Day.  Residents did a quiz on famous women supplied through the Oomph wellness programme and Barchester Healthcare and also watched videos learning about historical women and their achievements.   They found it a bit of an eye opener, as some, they hadn’t heard of. Ladies enjoyed pamper sessions in preparation for Mother’s Day  and some of our residents enjoyed a mini bus trip and had coffee and cake at the Well Being Coffee Shop in Crick, Northants,  a lovely and very accommodating place to relax in the Northamptonshire countryside not far from the Althorp Estate, Princess Diana’s burial place.

Overslade House would like to wish a very happy 101st birthday to our lovely resident Edna.  Edna celebrated with family, friends, staff and residents and received a lovely cake made by our Head Chef Joanne Kolat-Furca.   Edna was born 7th March 1923 and raised in Coventry.  Edna married Ronald and led a colourful life they were married for 65 years. Edna loved to go dancing at Courtaulds Social Club in Coventry.  During the war Edna made the covers for the aircraft, when aircraft were made of wood with canvas covers, this progressed to making the camouflage covers and then on to making car seat covers after the war.  General Manager Violetta Baesu said “we all want to know Edna’s secret she is amazing“ Edna said “thank you ever so much, I’m not 101 am I ? Well I never!” Congratulations Edna.

Residents celebrated British Pie week this week by watching videos on Melton Mowbray and how to make a pork pie, did you know it takes 4 days? We of course then had to sample some Melton Mowbray pork pies they were delicious. Residents then went on a scenic virtual trip over the Welland viaduct and finished off with a documentary on the discovery of King Richard III in a Leicestershire car park.   Over the course of the week, overseen by our Chef Dario Mozzettini, staff and residents experimented with many different types of pie fillings and flavour combinations.

John, a resident said: “I absolutely love pies!  I don’t mind if it is sweet or savoury, there is just something so satisfying about a pie – whether it is served with gravy or ice cream and of course you cannot beat a Melton Mowbray Pork Pie!”

Lucy Sharpe has been with Barchester for 15 years and has worked with residents and their relatives to ensure that their needs have been met over the years. Carers, residents and staff came together to celebrate this occasion.  Lucy received a gift voucher , flowers and a gold brooch award.  Lucy said “I really enjoy my job and love the residents, I can’t believe I have been here 15 years!”

Violeta Baesu, General Manager, said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating a total of 15 years of loyal service with Lucy. Lucy has demonstrated her dedication and loyalty to this home and its residents year after year. I speak for all of us here at Overslade House when I say that I’m looking forward to many more years of working with Lucy!

Well it was eyes down, look in, at Overslade House as staff and residents joined fellow dabbers from over 250 Barchester care homes and hospitals across the whole of the UK, including Wales, Scotland, Jersey and the Isle of Wight, to compete in the biggest game of bingo Barchester has ever seen!

Everybody waited with bated breath as we linked up via Zoom and were ready to shout Line or House for a win.

Resident Joyce, said, “It has been such a fun afternoon, it was wonderful to see everyone in all the other homes joining in. This technology is all new to me, I really enjoyed getting together with my fellow residents to take on the other homes”.

Joyce and Doreen were our lucky winners today and were thrilled with winning and receiving their prizes.