Activities at Westergate House Care Home
Our activities team are great at building the activities programme around the likes and interests of the people we care for. Ensuring that our social events offer fun and adventure is part of the ethos of our home; it’s important that those we support can enjoy an active and social lifestyle. Of course, there will always be those who prefer peace and quiet, and in these instances, a cup of tea and a chat are always welcomed.
Lee Austin
My name is Lee and I am the Head of Lifestyle here at Westergate House.
I support our residents daily to do the things they enjoy and it is extremely important to me that we are offering a premium and person centred service to each resident. I support our residents on a daily basis by providing meaningful and quality activities either in groups or on a 1:1 basis, to help encourage and build confidence while creating an enjoyable environment for everyone. Westergate House is the home of our residents, we as staff are working in it, so it is extremely important to me that we are respectful of that, while offering a premium and person centred service to each and every resident.
I am a trained actor and professional vocalist and not shy in making a fool of myself. If I do that every day to put a smile on our residents faces then I’m happy I have played my part, along with the rest of the amazing team, to brightening their day. If you hear someone singing along the corridor or see them dancing in the lounges, it will probably be me.
Read our brochure 'Life-enriching activities' for more information about life in our care homes.
Read our brochure
Activities and Events Partnerships
As part of our bespoke life-enrichment programmes, we host a number of live virtual events in the home on a regular basis through a number of partnerships with places of interest and world class performance companies
Life at Westergate House Care Home
Happy Birthday Joan!
Celebrations have been in full swing at Westergate House as one of its Memory Lane residents Joan reaches her 102nd Birthday in style. Joan was joined by staff, family and other residents as she received a beautiful bouquet of flowers, cards and her favourite sweet biscuits, in recognition of her landmark birthday. Joan enjoyed a special birthday cake made by the home’s chef Chris. Joan worked many years as a nurse in the Army before coming to Westergate House, where she is enjoying a new chapter of her life. The birthday girl, said: ‘Is all this fuss for me, you are all lovely thank you’
Westergate care home visits Chesnuts day centre
The Westergate House community engagement team visited the Chestnuts Community centre last week for a coffee morning. The care home, which is based in Westergate, were welcomed by Katie Chadwick team who run the day community centre for local people living with dementia and learning disabilities. A hub greeted Kay Vevers, lifestyles lead, and Laura Giudici, team leader of Westergate House and over coffee and homemade cake, conversation centred round future opportunities to engage the home’s residents with visitors to the centre and plans for other future events.
Coffee Morning
The Westergate House community engagement team reconnected with friends old and new at the Chestnuts Community Coffee morning last week. It was a bright sunny morning and the doors of the centre were opened by Katie Chadwick and her warm and welcoming team who run the day community centre for local people living with dementia and learning disabilities. Such a delightful hub greeted Kay Vevers, Lifestyles Lead, and Laura Giudici, Team Leader, Westergate House, Fontwell and conversation centred round future opportunities to engage the home’s residents with visitors to the centre. Over coffee and delicious homemade cake, plans were made for future events.
National Ice Cream Day
Perfectly timed in the middle of a heatwave, staff and residents at Westergate House in Fontwell had a fantastic time celebrating National Ice Cream Day on July 17, a brilliant excuse to sample lots of cooling treats, and the very best way to enjoy the sizzling summer temperatures. Overseen by head chef Chris, staff and residents experimented with many different types of toppings and flavour combinations, from the exotic, to the alcoholic, and back to the traditional – sorbets, frozen yoghurt and good old dairy-based ice cream, they tasted and savoured them all.
Dreamboats and Petticoats
The fifties were in full swing at Westergate House care home, Fontwell, on Friday, when a ‘Dreamboats and Petticoats’ afternoon had everyone singing and swaying to 1950s music. An array of colour met the eye with vintage and rockabilly dress, and the back drop included decorations reminiscent of a 1950s American diner. Jodie Shemmans delighted residents and staff with tunes from the decade, including hits by Connie Francis, Buddy Holly and Patsy Kline. Ice creams, sundaes and cola floats, prepared by Head Chef Chris added to the atmosphere, and everyone was caught up in the fun of the era. Resident Ann commented “This is wonderful; I’ve had such a super time. The music really takes me back.”
Coffee Morning
Residents and staff at Westergate House are enjoying weekly community coffee mornings every Friday. It’s a chance for residents, their families, and friends from the local neighbourhood to have a catch-up over cappuccino and pastries and get together as a community. With bistro coffees and teas, and croissants made by Head Chef Chris, the event is growing in popularity as residents enjoy the company of visitors to the home. Resident June said: “This is so lovely. It’s a chance for everyone to get together at the end of the week and have a proper natter.”
