Celebrating life at Barchester

Celebrations were in full swing this morning as we gathered together with family, and friends from the local community to rejoice our beautiful resident; Margaret Foster’s 102nd birthday!

Margaret was joined by staff, relatives, friends and other residents as she marked her landmark birthday with a special ‘community coffee morning’.

It was Margaret’s wish to invite all the attendees of Drayton Village Hall’s monthly coffee morning to join her in celebration over tea and plenty of cake! We even held a free tombola as Margaret loves the excitement of a prize draw.

Chef provided freshly baked shortbread biscuits, iced cup-cakes and a terrific birthday cake. The room was full of love, laughter and conversation with the odd burst of song… from Happy birthday to my old man’s a dustman!

Deputy Manager; Jeni said “We were  delighted to see so many from our local community celebrating a truly remarkable lady as she reaches this amazing milestone. Margaret is such a popular resident, her elegance shines through at all times, a true lady whose life deserves to be celebrated.”

Our residents enjoyed a cosy minibus trip to Cotefield Nursery today afternoon, catching up with old friends, having lovely chats, and browsing seasonal plants and Halloween decorations.

At Glebefields we love to support our residents do the things they used to do at home. This week our residents enjoyed a lovely afternoon baking and decorating cupcakes together. All the mixing, the smell of baking and finishing off each cupcake with cream had them reminiscing about children's parties and cookery lessons at school.

We had a great time pumpkin carving today at Glebefields! Residents really enjoyed getting creative and having a laugh together while getting ready for Halloween.

Rothsay Grange Care Home, a Barchester Healthcare home in Andover, proudly took part in the first “Drop-In Information Session” on planning for the future. The care home joined the event to offer insights and advice on care home options and the support services available within the community.

It was a great session where members of the community had the chance to ask questions and seek advice from qualified professionals on important topics such as wills, POA (Power of Attorney), funeral plans, insurance, care homes, and care at home.

The event also provided a wonderful opportunity to network with other professionals and we were delighted to have a fantastic visit from the Mayor of Test Valley Borough Council Councillor Gordon Bailey and Councillor Iris Andersen.

Windmill Manor got into the Halloween spirit (excuse the pun) with as many pumpkin based activities as they could find.

The regular knitting club made the homes decorations by knitting pumpkins or all colours and sizes. There was a pumpkin carking competition for the residents and their visiting friends and families, the competition was so fierce that there had to be an award for 1st, 2nd and 3rd!

And finally the remaining pumpkins were used as vases for flowers table arrangements. 

Fun was had by all.......although everyone was pumpkined out. 

Diwali the Festival of Lights came to Windmill Manor this October.

Staff members came dressed in their celebration clothes to show the residents and bought in homemade traditional sweets, the residents loved trying the new tastes of the sweets and found the colourful clothing enchanting. 

Some of the ladies in the homes decided to spend the morning making flower centre pieces for the dining rooms. 

The ladies got their creative juices flowing and loved the sense of achievement that came from their efforts, and even more so when they were used to decorate some of the dining tables. 

The residents had an afternoon of baking fun followed by a cup of tea to wash down their efforts. 

Baking allows residents to use remember and use their skills from their past, and discuss cakes and bakes that were firm favourites with their families when they were young, both key ways of engaging memories and keeping the brain strong.