Celebrating life at Barchester

Residents and staff at celebrated International Women’s Day with an extraordinary event highlighting the diverse career paths and community impact of local female leaders.

The event featured guest speaker Maria Holden CEO Sunrise Multicultural Project and Susan Bradley, partner at Marks & Clerk. Who both spoke passionately about their careers, Maria shared how the project has been running for 30 Years in Banbury. Funded by the National Lottery, the project promotes independence, running dedicated ladies' sessions and a breakfast drop-in to increase confidence and self-esteem. Bridging women from all backgrounds together through shared activities and trips.
 

Susan Spoke about her career path that led her, at aged 40, becoming a patent attorney, from early work fixing and recycling old technology for schools “We need more girl inventors,” Susan stated, explaining that a science degree is a condition for becoming a patent attorney. She discussed the dynamics of her field, noting that while you can't patent "maths," she finds immense joy in working with wave and tidal energy patents.

General Manager Benazir Shakkir said "Susan is a true role model for the next flock of girls choosing careers in predominantly male-dominated fields. Her story, alongside Maria's extensive community work to enable women in Banbury to be feel confident and enhance their abilities, provided our residents with a profound look at how far women's empowerment has come."
 

Louise Ramage gave a special recognition to Anila, who produced a commemorative video of the event that has since been shared within the community.

At Florence Court, we celebrated International Women’s Day by making handmade cards, each with a special message inside to remind the wonderful women in our home, just how strong and powerful they truly are. Barbara, our Resident Ambassador, visited and spoke to our lovely ladies. They were so happy to receive their cards, and it sparked a lovely conversation about what being a woman means to each of them!

Some shared how much they loved caring for and supporting their families, while others spoke about how they were raised to believe that women can achieve anything they set their minds to. It was also a moment to remember and honour the suffragettes who fought so bravely for the rights and freedoms women have today.

A big thank you to all the amazing women out there! Our friends, mums, daughters, sisters, and all the women who are such a special part of our lives. Womanhood is a powerful part of who we are, and it’s so important that we continue to support, uplift, and celebrate one another!


 

Following requests from residents, we are delighted to announce the launch of two new clubs this February: a weekly Scrabble Club and a fortnightly Book Club. Both initiatives have already proved to be a tremendous success.

The Scrabble Club meets every Tuesday afternoon, providing residents with an enjoyable opportunity to engage in friendly competition while keeping their minds active. The atmosphere has been lively and welcoming, with participants embracing both the social and cognitive benefits of the game.

The new Book Club, held every fortnight, offers residents the chance to explore a variety of titles and share their thoughts in an inclusive and engaging setting. Early sessions have sparked thoughtful discussion and encouraged new connections among participants.

These additions reflect our ongoing commitment to listening to resident feedback and providing meaningful, enriching activities that promote wellbeing and community spirit.

At Marriott House and Lodge, providing truly person-centred care means understanding what matters most to the people who live with us. We take time to learn about each resident’s background, culture, preferences and daily routines so we can support them in ways that feel familiar, comforting and meaningful.

For one of our residents, Frank, who is originally from China, familiar food plays an important role in maintaining that connection to home. To support this, our team arranged a takeaway from China Royale Chinese, ensuring Frank could enjoy the authentic flavours and dishes he knows and loves.

For many residents, food is far more than just a meal. It can represent memories, culture, and a sense of identity. By making sure Frank could enjoy cuisine that reflects his heritage, we were able to provide comfort, spark conversation and create a moment that felt both familiar and reassuring.

Moments like this are part of our everyday approach to care. We are committed to recognising and celebrating the diverse cultures of our residents, while always respecting their personal wishes and choices.

By going the extra mile to support individual preferences and cultural connections, we help ensure every resident feels understood, respected and truly at home.

We proudly celebrated Chinese New Year with a vibrant and memorable event that brought together residents, relatives and friends.

The celebration was marked by an impressive spread of authentic and delicious Chinese dishes, symbolising prosperity, happiness, and good fortune for the year ahead. Residents and staff enjoyed a variety of traditional favorites, each carefully prepared to honor the rich culinary heritage associated with the Lunar New Year.

Beyond the feast, attendees had the opportunity to explore the fascinating history and cultural significance behind Chinese New Year. Through engaging discussions and shared stories, we learned about longstanding customs such as the reunion dinner, the symbolism of the zodiac animals, the meaning behind red decorations, and the importance of family during this special time of year.

The event was not only a celebration of the new year but also a meaningful opportunity to deepen cultural understanding and appreciation. By combining food, history, and shared experiences, the occasion highlighted the values of unity, respect, and community that are central to the spirit of Chinese New Year.

To celebrate Pancake Day, bringing everyone together for an afternoon filled with fun, laughter, and of course – plenty of pancakes!

The celebrations began with a series of lively games and friendly competitions, including pancake flipping challenges that had everyone cheering each other on. The room was filled with excitement as participants tested their skills, showing impressive flips (and a few amusing near-misses!) along the way.

Following the games, everyone had the chance to get creative by adding their own favourite toppings. From classic lemon and sugar to chocolate spread, fresh fruit, syrup, and sprinkles, there was something to suit every taste. The highlight of the event was tasting our delicious creations and sharing our favourites with friends.

Pancake Day provided a wonderful opportunity for everyone to come together, enjoy some light-hearted fun, and celebrate a much-loved tradition. It was fantastic to see so many smiling faces and such enthusiastic participation.

We would like to thank everyone who helped organise the event and all those who took part in making it such a memorable occasion.

Burwood Grange celebrated Valentine’s Day with laughter, friendship, and plenty of happy moments shared together. A lovely reminder that it’s the little moments of joy and togetherness that make our home so special.

Residents at Burwood Grange had an amazing time with great music & dancing with Mother and Son duo Lesley & Charlie (Decades: 20’s-60’s).