Celebrating life at Barchester

Staff at Thistle Hill Care Home in Knaresborough have opened up their doors to welcome the emergency services personnel in their local area.  

As a way of saying thank you to the paramedics, nurses, police officers and other emergency services workers who don’t always have time to go home or back to their workplace on their break, the team and the residents of Thistle Hill will provide free food and drink to all emergency service staff.

Today, our home is filled with happiness and pride!  We are absolutely delighted to share that, following our recent Care Inspectorate inspection, we have achieved grades of 4 across the board, which means GOOD in all key areas!

This result is a true reflection of the dedication, care, and professionalism of our entire team. Every member of staff has worked incredibly hard, embraced positive changes, and stayed committed to providing high-quality care, even through challenging times.

Resident, Alison had always wanted to go on holiday to St. Andrews, so staff at the home made her wish a reality, proving the old adage, it’s never too late.

Alison, a resident of the homes Seven Arches community, enjoyed a week in a lodge with hot tub and balcony in St. Andrews was accompanied by nurse, Val and carer, Nikki, who supported her on this getaway.

Alison has lived at South Grange for 13 years and is loved by staff and residents alike. Staff at the home were delighted to be a part of making this possible for her, as they know how much it means to her to be able to live her life to the fullest. 
 

Team Bayleaf have finally opened the doors! we have hosted our first open weekend this weekend, it has been truly inspiring welcoming our community and prospective future residents. We was joined by two amazing local artists who came to have a sing and a dance with us on Saturday. Sunday we was joined by Michelle and her therapy petting zoo. Families have had a great opportunity to have a look around our beautiful new home and have some fun along the may. This is just the beginning! Keep an eye on our events page for new and exciting events happening throughout May 

Supporting residents to enjoy outings, shopping, meals out and other trips is a key aspect of the weekly activities calendar. 

Our Residents enjoyed a trip to "Proper Vintage Tea Rooms" for a trip down memory lane. At the tea rooms there was even an entertainer singing some vintage tunes from the 40s and 50s. Not only did our Residents enjoy a sumptuous afternoon tea they also joined in the fun with a sing along.

At Derham House we support and encourage our residents to continue doing the things they love whilst also making new friends and exploring new adventures. 

National celebrations and family-friendly events are just some of the ways that we ensure the residents at Derham House remain connected with their loved ones and the wider community. 

Our Residents enjoyed a visit from the Easter Bunny with gifts of chocolate eggs Eggs and brought big smiles to our Residents. She even visited Residents in their rooms to bring some Easter cheer.

At Derham House  that's what we like to do - create memories, and ensure our residents are leading full enriched lives.

This week we went for our trip to Garsons Farm and had a lovely time looking at all the flowers, plants and beautiful gifts. After our walk around, it was time to enjoy tea and cake or a fruit scone and jam

Animal therapy is one of the cornerstones of our life enrichment program and features regularly on our resident-led weekly activity planner.

Our Residents enjoyed a visit from some fluffy lambs and enjoyed some cuddles and affection. The Lambs enjoyed a good feed from the Residents. There was Baaaughter all round.

Residents at Ritson Lodge love the animal therapy sessions that our dedicated Activities Team organise. As one of the foundations of our Life Enrichment program, we know that animal therapy can help reduce blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular health. 

A Big thank you to all our visitors for the Easter Bunny Hunt.

Ensuring that we host events that relatives and friends can join is very important to us here at Ashfields Care Home.

We had a great hunt and the children who visited loved our lucky dip and picked many a treat. The creepy critters went down a storm with the children and our Residents getting some hands on expertise.

At Ashfields Care Home we love hosting events that we can open up to our relatives, friends and the wider community. Life at Ashfields is about being part of the local community.

The residents of White Lodge went out in a minibus trip to the The Classic Motor Hub, based at the historic site of RAF Bibury in the heart of the Cotswolds. It was absolutely magical to look around all the different classic car collections. One of the residents G.W found his red car on the showroom!

The residents and families at White Lodge had a wonderful afternoon where they had Dementia Musical Moments with Wiltshire Hope and Harmony - RWB Dementia Choir. 

The choir lead Lisa and volunteers did an amazing job by engaging with the residents throughout the session using different props and instruments. The activity coordinator Shayla volunteered to be the white (or pink) horse riding from the song ''she will be coming round the mountain'' that absolutely bring laughter and joy.
 
The residents would like to thank the Wiltshire Hope and Harmony - RWB Dementia Choir for making our day special and they are looking forward to your next visit.

The residents at White Lodge enjoyed themselves as they were able to make the most of the sunshine, taking in the bright blue sky and enjoying a breath of fresh air in the garden. The warmth of the sunshine was enjoyed by everyone and played ''Royal Family'' quiz in the sunshine followed by ice lollies to help keep them hydrated and cool!

The residents at White Lodge went on a minibus trip to Purton Village Hall to attend an event organised by Celebrating Age Wiltshire. Bird Nerd & the Red List is an exiting new dance theatre performance piece, focusing on popular UK birds on the endangered species 'red list'. 

The journey was embodied with four different birds- Lark, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Swift and Nightingale through dance, music, sound and spoken word.

Over the last couple of days our residents have been working hard and enjoying the lovely sun shine in our woodlands courtyard.
They’ve been planting more seeds and hanging some new garden decorations.

Time to cool down after all there hard work by soaking there feet in there pool of cool water and some light refreshments, what a cool way to relax on a day like today.

Today our residents enjoyed a lovely visit to the The National Herb Centre, exploring fragrant gardens and learning about a variety of herbs and enjoyed a relaxing morning with tea and cakes. Fresh air, great company and sweet treats can't be beat!

The day was topped off with a cheerful tea party back at the home with music and drinks all round! This created a joyful, relaxing atmosphere. 

Days like these support well-being, social connection and stimulate the senses!

The residents at Chacombe Park have been making the most of the beautiful weather, sitting outside admiring the views across the golf course and keeping cool with an ice cream whilst chatting the day away protected from too much sun under the shades.

Being outdoors is not only refreshing, but it also brings a sense of peace and joy that we cherish here at Chacombe Park, whether listening to the birds or taking a walk around the grounds, life is good at Chacombe Park.

Did you know you are welcome to come to the home and join us on lovely days like these?

Simply pop in for a cool drink and enjoy a sit in the sun/shade or stroll around the paved grounds taking in all that nature has to offer.

This afternoon our residents were taken back to some old time musicals as they were entertained by Fiona Harrison - A Voice in a Million as she sang songs from Oliver, Casablanca, Mamma Mia, Chicago and many more. The performance had the residents tapping away to the familiar tunes.

The Sun is out and it has been the perfect time to spend time soaking up the rays and enjoying our amazing garden surrounded by wonderful family , friends and staff. 

Fountain Care Home is proud to announce it is supporting We Can, CIC, a remarkable youth-led charitable initiative dedicated to environmental protection and poverty reduction.

We Can, CIC was founded by Ryan, a passionate 12-year-old from Solihull, who set out to make a difference by collecting and recycling empty aluminium drink cans. His goal is simple yet impactful: to reduce waste, protect the planet, and use the proceeds to help those in need. Despite his young age, Ryan’s commitment has inspired people across the community to get involved.

As part of this initiative, Fountain Care Home will now serve as an official collection point for aluminium drink cans. Residents, staff, families, and members of the public are encouraged to contribute their empty cans to support Ryan’s inspiring mission. Every can donated not only helps reduce landfill waste but also contributes directly to charitable efforts addressing poverty.

“We are absolutely thrilled to support such a meaningful and inspiring cause. Ryan’s determination is truly admirable, and we are excited to play a role in expanding the reach and impact of We Can, CIC.” said Zara Friend, Manager at Fountain Care Home.

This collaboration reflects Fountain Care Home’s ongoing commitment to community engagement, sustainability, and supporting the next generation of change makers.

Fountains care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Fountains provides residential care, respite, and dementia care for 80 residents from respite care to long term stays.

Boroughbridge Manor care home in Boroughbridge recently presented Gail Donnan the CEO and founder of the ‘Wellness Gateway’ with a cheque for £1000 to towards the cost of a winter online book club for disadvantaged people with mental health issues.

The ‘Wellness Gateway’ aim is to promote and protect the mental and physical health and to relieve the needs of those in need by reason of age, ill-health or disability of persons living within a 20km radius of Ripon, North Yorkshire, through counselling, therapy and other support.
 

Our residents recently welcomed new friends from another Barchester care home, Cadbury Hall in Yatton, for a great day of fun, food and fitness.

After getting to know each other over a delicious three-course lunch prepared by our chef, our residents and their guests joined together for a relaxing tai chi session led by Glastonbury-based instructor, Cheyne Towers. Our residents regularly enjoy soothing, gentle tai chi exercise sessions as part of their daily life enrichment and wellbeing programme, but for Cadbury Hall visitors the martial art was a new experience.

The afternoon was filled with laughter and conversation, as guests shared stories and discovered common interests - from ballroom dancing to new hobbies like tai chi. “Top notch!” said Mike, while Jim joked about discovering his hidden talent for tai chi.

General Manager Meg Cleal said: “It’s all about connection and wellbeing here at Crandon Springs. We loved having Cadbury Hall with us and look forward to more community events like this one.”

At Fountains, we believe in the power of meaningful experiences—and our recent visit to Sheldon Country Farm was exactly that. It was a day full of joy, discovery, and connection as our residents spent time surrounded by nature, animals, and community spirit.

From the moment we arrived at the farm, smiles were in abundance. Residents were greeted by the peaceful sounds of the countryside and the welcoming atmosphere of a place rooted in care and community. The anticipation was clear, and it didn’t take long for the fun to begin.

Throughout the visit, our residents had the chance to meet a variety of farm animals. Pigs snuffled happily in their pens, chickens clucked and pecked about, ducks waddled by the pond, and gentle horses and cows watched us with curious eyes. Many residents shared memories of childhoods spent in rural areas or recalled family trips to the countryside. These simple interactions sparked heartfelt conversations and plenty of laughter.

The weather was nothing short of perfect a bright, sunny day with a soft breeze that made the surroundings even more picturesque. We found quiet spots throughout the farm where residents could rest and simply take it all in: the rustling of trees, the warmth of the sun, and the peaceful rhythm of farm life. It was more than a break it was a moment to reconnect with nature and enjoy a slower pace.

Our visit wasn’t just about the animals; it was also about people. The team at Sheldon Country Farm, including dedicated volunteers, offered a warm welcome and shared stories of their work and passion for the farm. It was inspiring to see our residents engage with them, ask questions, and learn more about how the farm supports the local community.

Before returning home, we stopped for some well-earned refreshments. A highlight for many was the cool, creamy ice cream a perfect treat to top off a lovely afternoon.

As we made our way back to Fountains, there was a feeling of calm contentment. The day had offered not only fresh air and friendly animals but also connection, reflection, and joy.

It’s days like these that remind us of the importance of getting out, making memories, and enjoying the simple pleasures life has to offer. We’re already looking forward to the next adventure!

A Special Morning at Hilton Park.

This morning, we were delighted to welcome ITV News Anglia, who came to interview some of our wonderful residents about their memories of VE Day.

It was truly special for our residents to share their stories. Iris was joined by her son, a proud army veteran, while Gill, Brian and John also shared cherished memories. We were treated to a lovely performance of wartime favourites by May Blossom, Vintage Songbird, Sallie, who was also interviewed.

We’re so excited to see the segment aired on television next Thursday, as part of the 80th anniversary of VE Day, and to hear the full story. Thank you to everyone who made today so memorable.

The residents and team at Denmead Grange love an excuse for celebration and a cake, and what better excuse than some Birthdays.

Our lovely resident Doreen loved country music and would of loved to attend a show but unfortunately cannot physically go out anymore. So we brought a Country singer into the home and had a full themed day for Dorothy

Spring has sprung in April in our Home. 

We started by brightening up the balconies for Memory Lane 

Iris Court Care Home have been making the most of this beautiful weather!, with a trip to Clayton & Shuttleworth Airfield for an afternoon of exploring the gorgeous Swiss gardens, whilst enjoying seeing plenty of historic airworthy aircrafts and working vehicles to enjoy and learn about.

With residents making the most of the time together on this beautiful day, we deserving stopped for a delicious lunch at the runway café before heading home.

With many of our residents previously being fond flyers and aircrafts lovers, many residents said how lovely it was to visit somewhere as a new experience, whilst being able to reminisce over some of their favourite hobbies and passions.

Regular outings are just one aspect of our life enrichment program and all the trips we take are at the request of the residents. Our monthly activities calendar boasts a range of outings and entertainment.

Wendy has received a prestigious 30 Year Long Service Award in celebration of working at Barchester Healthcare for three decades.

Wendy Farrer, who proudly works as a housekeeper in the home, started at Barchester in April 1995, starting in the laundry and working as a care assistant and has worked with residents and their relatives to ensure that their needs have been met over the years. 
Adele Keenan, Employee Services Director at Barchester said: “I’m always pleased to hear stories about the long service of Barchester staff and am delighted Wendy has achieved this milestone. It is dedication like this that ensures our residents are provided with a happy place to live.”