Celebrating life at Barchester

Our sensory sessions are always fun and engaging. Residents in Memory Lane enjoy a variety of sensory equipment, including musical instruments, aromatherapy, light displays, and our digital table. 

These activities create a stimulating and enjoyable experience that supports wellbeing and encourages interaction.      

We had a wonderful visit from a harp guitarist, a friend of one of our residents’ relatives, who kindly volunteered to perform for us. He played some beautiful songs on his harp guitar, and our residents thoroughly enjoyed the performance. 

It was a lovely and uplifting experience for everyone.      

After nearly 7 years at Worplesdon View, we say an emotional goodbye to Care Practitioner Pule as he begins his new role as Deputy Manager at Bere Grove Care Home – Barchester Healthcare. 

A valued team member and Speak Up Champion, his compassion and support made a lasting impact. We wish him every success in this exciting next chapter.      

Exercise is something that is very important at Lethen Park. Recently, the activities team have been focusing on gentle overhead activities. This activity is an activity that Sandy very much enjoys. It is a safe exercise, it is a gentle activity that improves several physical and mental abilities at the same time. 

Sandy was able to focus on his hand and eye coordination, Sandy was able to increase his gentle overhead movement by stretching his arms without any hard strain of risk. This helps the body control the body by supporting the strengthening of the muscles. Even light movement for Sandy, like tapping or throwing the balloon, helps with active shoulders, arms and upper body muscles and helps reduce weakness or stiffness. Most importantly, this was a huge boost in mood and social interaction. Sandy really enjoyed the balloon games and this encouraged laughter and mental stimulation for him. 

Exercise is something that is very important at lethen park, Recently the activities team have been focusing on gentle over head activities. This activity is an activity that Sandy very much enjoys. It is a safe exercise, it is a gentle activity that improves several physical and mental abilities at the same time. 

Sandy was able to focus on his hand and eye coordination, Sandy was able to increase his gentle overhead movement by stretching his arms without any hard strain of risk. This helped body control by supporting strengthening of muscles, even light movement for Sandy like tapping or throwing the balloon helps with  active shoulders, arms and upper body muscles and helps reduce weakness or stiffness. Most importantly this  was a huge boost in mood and social interation. Sandy really enjoyed the Balloon games and this encouraged laughter and mental stimulation for him.       

Our resident Scott enjoyed a trip out to the local pub. Scott and Amanda took a leisurely walk of around 2 km to the local Pub, where Scott enjoyed a refreshment. 

This was a wonderful activity, Scott was able to stretch his legs and gain some important steps for the day. On the walk we spoke about many different topics. Mainly we spoke about his time in Thailand and Scott was reminiscing about his love for the Food and the culture.

This was a magical interaction where Scott felt relaxed and very happy.        

Doug had a wonderful morning supporting Amanda and Oksana with the decorations for the home for Mother's Day. Doug helped with creating and designing the Mother's Day bunting. 

We then moved on to making a beautiful balloon display at the front of the main reception so that all our residents and visitors could enjoy the up-and-coming event. 

During this activity, it brought a great deal of joy and connectiveness to Doug, and he was reminiscing about his late Mother. 
We spoke about his mother's home cooking, the trips that she took him to the park and her caring and compassionate nature towards him as a child.  

Residents enjoyed a surprise visit from Barchy Bear over the weekend to help celebrate World Book Day. Barchy brought along his own bedtime story book called "The Things I Love About Bedtime" by Trace Moroney.

All our residents were so happy to meet Barchy and wanted to have their photo taken with him. Ruby said she used to read to her children at night for a bedtime story, and they would choose the book they wanted and then fall asleep. Alice was happy to read the book as she said, "It's such a long time ago that I read a bedtime story to my children" and it brought back lots of fond memories for her. Margaret said if it was not her reading to her children, it was her husband as they would take it in turns.

After the story time, Barchy Bear and the residents all sang some nursery rhymes, bringing back lots of memories. Storytelling in care homes is a powerful, therapeutic activity that fosters emotional connection, preserves personal history, and stimulates cognitive function for residents. 

What a lovely morning was had by all.  

We had a wonderful visit from the pupils of Dallington School here at Dudwell St Mary Care Home - Barchester Healthcare.

Our residents really enjoyed spending time with the pupils. Together we played charades and a lively round of Game of Fives, which brought lots of smiles and laughter. The pupils also kindly read to some of our residents, and we loved hearing all about what a typical day at school is like for them.

It was such a lovely opportunity for different generations to come together, share stories, and learn from one another. Thank you to the pupils and staff from Dallington School for such a special visit. We look forward to seeing you again soon.