Celebrating life at Barchester

At Westergate House we are enjoying the spring sunshine. A delightful opportunity to make the most of the gardens and have tea and cake in good company.  

Residents take part in daily walks for fresh air and exercise, with the chance to sit and enjoy afternoon tea, a chat and the super weather. 

At Westergate House we are thrilled to see the Spring sunshine and are making the most of the lovely weather this week.  

Walks in our grounds have been a popular choice with residents, a chance to stretch our legs and enjoy the fresh air! Being outdoors has been a great boost for wellbeing, and a reminder that longer days are just around the corner.            

Miniature Donkey visit We had a very special visit from Miniature Donkeys for Wellbeing. Pippa and Millie joined us to get some love and attention from all of us at Hethersett hall. The sun was shining so bright, so we managed to get everyone outside to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air whilst having cuddles with Pippa and Millie. June had been talking about the donkeys coming for days, as they belong to her son, Richard. She felt very proud. 

Audrey was so pleased to see the donkeys as she used to have donkeys at home. Margaret’s wish came true as she had previously wished to see donkeys up close and that happened to a very happy Margaret. Lots of love and smiling and really good team spirit. Happy Home.  

Staff and residents got up close and personal with a furry friend when they celebrated all the wonderful things about man’s best friend for upcoming International Guide Dog Day.

Residents had a visit from therapet Korky, who worked as a guide dog for many years before retiring and becoming a beloved therapet. His owner Sandy spent time chatting to our residents explaining about all the different roles and responsibilities guide dogs have and how the dogs are trained. Our residents enjoyed learning about the crucial work they do for their owners.

Today we had the pleasure of hosting our first Community Paint & Sip event at Waterside Court, led by our talented guest artist, Ariel. The afternoon was a beautiful celebration of creativity, connection, and inspiration, making it a truly special occasion for everyone involved.

We were delighted to witness the incredible talent and artistic expression of our residents, whose enthusiasm and creativity were reflected in every unique piece. 

We are proud to share that the artwork created will be auctioned to raise funds for the Barchester Foundation Charity Cook Off, supporting a truly meaningful cause. Further details will be announced soon. 

It’s been a truly egg-stra special few days here at Rivermead, filled with smiles, laughter, and plenty of chocolatey surprises! 

Our very own Easter bunnies, the double trouble duo, Layla & Lola, have been hopping through the home, making sure no one was left out. With baskets full of goodies and big cheerful smiles, they hand-delivered Easter eggs to each one of our wonderful residents.

The joy on everyone’s faces said it all, from sweet treats to shared moments, it’s these little acts of kindness that make days like today so special. There’s been lots of laughter, a few cheeky bunny antics, and of course, plenty of chocolate enjoyed along the way!      

At Rivermead, we love creating moments that bring people together, and Easter has been the perfect opportunity to spread happiness, warmth, and a little seasonal magic throughout our home.

Recently, we were able to make the most of the beautiful weather and spend some quality time in our wonderful middle garden. We feel incredibly grateful to have such a peaceful outdoor space for everyone to enjoy.

The ladies had a truly lovely time sitting together in the sunshine, chatting, laughing, and sharing special memories from years gone by. It was heartwarming to see everyone so relaxed and engaged, enjoying each other’s company in such a calm and happy setting.

Moments like these remind us how important it is to spend time outdoors, especially as the days begin to brighten, and the weather becomes warmer. The sunshine really lifted everyone’s spirits and created such a positive atmosphere throughout the day.

We are so excited that the nicer weather is on its way and look forward to many more afternoons like this—filled with fresh air, friendship, and meaningful conversations.        

Residents and staff  had a special moment recently when two residents discovered that they had met and known each other some 65 years ago.

Margaret is a permanent resident at Queens Manor and Dorothy came to the home for a second respite stay.  Dorothy said that her address had been mentioned during her previous respite stay and she was determined to get to the bottom of it!

Over six decades ago, Margaret used to live in Myrtle Crescent, Bilston in a council property, but wanted to move to Bonnyrigg to be nearer to family there.  So, as was the norm at the time, she put a notice up in the post office in Poulton requesting a house exchange.