Celebrating life at Barchester

Residents at the home enjoyed a delightful evening outing to the Collyweston Slater Pub, kindly invited by the owner, Amie. The residents savoured a selection of beverages and snacks, chatted with the locals, and reminisced about their own trips to the same pub when they were younger.

Embracing the community spirit, the hospitality team at the pub led by head chef, Fabio had a selection of snacks for the homes residents to enjoy alongside their refreshing beverages.
 

Sometimes we take those simplistic moments for granted. Reading a book with the sun on your face, your favourite tipple in hand and sitting in your happy place. A perfect afternoon.

When Helen made a wish to ride a horse again for her 93rd birthday just as she did as a child. Staff at Mortain Place set about making it happen. Contacting friends at Polegate Equestrian Centre they made her dream a reality. Helen was surrounded by friends as she got back in the saddle and took Jester for a little trot in the countryside. What a fantastic experience.

What a lovely way to start a weekend. Surrounded by friends at one of Eastbourne's finest lunch spots. With lots of lovely places on our doorstep to eat and drink, our mini bus is always out and about visiting them. Everyone is having a vote on where to go next.

A Birthday doesn't go by without a celebration and of course some home made birthday cake!!

The team and residents all wished the lovely Roy happy birthday and enjoyed a slice (or maybe 2) of birthday cake
Happy Birthday Roy

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

This week our friends from Performing Pets were back. As it was the first day of spring what better way to celebrate with chicks and ducklings bringing joy to our residents faces, spending one to one time in their rooms and also on both communities.

Residents at Derham House love 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. 
 

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. 

Our Residents had a great time when we took a trip to the Queen's Theatre. Everyone was singing, dancing and toe tapping to some great entertainers performing at a "Down Memory Lane" show for people living with dementia we even had a lovely cuppa tea and biscuits.

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

Our residents really enjoyed chair-based exercises with Curtis from EverActive. From gentle stretches to lively chair dancing, everyone participated with big smiles and plenty of laughter. 

Physical activity not only boosts our health but also brings us closer together as a community. Chair exercises can enhance joint flexibility and range of motion, which is especially beneficial for our residents and for those rehabilitating from injuries. 

Improved mobility can make everyday tasks more comfortable and effortless, leading to an improved quality of life.

Residents have been getting creative at our regularly knit and natter club. 

The club offers residents a welcoming space to socialise while indulging their passion for knitting.

Members share tips, showcase their latest projects and enjoy light refreshments, fostering a sense of community and creativity. It’s a perfect blend of crafting and conversation!

James Bickley, Running, Personal Training and Keep Fit for the Elderly, leads the movement to music exercise class for residents.

The room was full. Residents enjoyed attending the monthly class on the first Wednesday of every month. They had a great time, there was a lot of fun and laughter while keeping fit at the same time. 

A married couple, who have lived at Broadway halls since 2021, have never missed a class since they arrived. They said it’s a great way to improve and maintain our mobility, balance, and overall well-being.

Sunday was National Puppy Day and unbeknown to our residents, there was a very special (and very cute) visitor waiting to meet them.

The son of our lovely resident, Marlene, is the proud owner of 10-week old Loki, and he very kindly agreed to bring Loki to Melbourn Springs much to the delight of everybody at the home.

There were cuddles aplenty and Loki was treated like royalty. He was brilliantly behaved and loved the extra attention that he was getting.

We very much look forward to seeing Loki again and can't wait to see how much he has grown!!

Broadway halls celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in style with a live performance from Katie Collins School of Irish Dance.

A talented group of Irish dancers put on a show for the residents. It was an amazing experience for everyone that came to visit. The talented young ladies enter competitions across the UK. 

A resident said, "What a lovely afternoon it’s been. I used to do Irish dancing and, when I was young, I remember winning the village dancing competition in Ireland near Cork, before I moved to Dudley many years ago now."

The residents at Broadway Halls enjoy the fresh air, so when the weather is nice, they love to get outside and have a nice stroll around Proiry Park and the castle ruins. This activity is always in our weekly planner and anyone can join us. There is always so much to see from the wildlife to the wedding ceremonies at the Dudley Registry office which is in the park. Residents love to see the bride in their dress.

Engaging residents in walks around the park and trips to the castle ruins offers numerous physical, mental, and social benefits. Physical, in the form of regular walking, improves cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and flexibility, contributing to overall physical well-being.

Mental, in the form of spending time with nature, can lower stress hormone levels, leading to relaxation and improved mood. And social, in the form of group walks, encourages social interaction, fostering a sense of community and belonging amongst residents.

Exploring local historical sites like the ruins can stimulate conversations and shared learning, enriching social bonds and sharing memories.

The residents were offered a nice hot drink and a biscuit upon visiting Bramford Primary School, which they all enjoyed!

The students, aged 6 to 7 years, have been learning about fairytale stories and learnt all the words and actions to The Three Little Pigs and Jack and the Beanstalk, which was brilliant to see and hear.

The residents asked all the students' names, which was lovely. The students had their turn and asked their names and how old they were. The students then read a couple of pages of their own favourite books. Maureen said they were very good at reading for such a young age.

All the residents couldn’t believe how school life has changed so much from their school days and how fabulous it was now with all the equipment and facilities they have to offer.

The students and residents finished off doing arts and crafts and having a good old natter.

Thank you to the teachers for letting us visit and what well-behaved students you have at the school.

A silent disco is a fantastic way to engage residents, especially those with dementia or mobility challenges. It allows them to enjoy music at their preferred volume without overwhelming noise, and it can bring back memories, encourage movement, and boost moods.

Thank you to Sutton school for joining us for this special event, and thank you, Frankie, for DJ-ing and giving up his spare time to help. The pupils from Sutton School chose their favourite songs from the 2000s to the present date. The residents choose their favourite song or artists from the 1950s and 1960s.

The residents and pupils swapped channels to listen to each other’s favourite songs. It was nice to see everyone singing and dancing. 

A resident said, “It’s been an exciting experience and I wouldn’t have dreamed of doing this in my life, but I have had a great time singing and dancing and watching the students singing and dancing to their songs. Hope we can do this again, it was brilliant!”

We have started a gentlemen's club, every 2 weeks the men get together and go on a outing of their choice.

This week the gentlemen went to visit a local pub to reminiscence over working careers and raising families. It was fantastic and the residents are thoroughly looking forward to the next trip out.

A fun filled Day at Maple Leaf Lodge supporting Red Nose Day.  Residents and Staff had a fabulous day with music fancy dress and a little tipple.

For the second time this year the Wingfield care home welcomed a group of local toddlers and their parents for a visit, joining our residents for a music and movement exercise class. 

The group was organised by a local company called Magical Music and Movement classes and lovely lady called Lucy helped us run this event. 

The room was lively with singing, clapping, and gentle dancing as generations shared the experience. The children’s energy brought a fresh sense of fun, while the residents enjoyed the chance to engage, move, and connect. These visits promote well-being and building bonds across generations. 

We’re grateful to the parents and little ones for spending time with us and look forward to more opportunities to come together.

Residents at the Wingfield care home had a wonderful time celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. 

The festivities included dressing up in green attire and accessorizing with fun hats and shamrocks. They enjoyed indulging in golden chocolate coins, which added a sweet touch to the celebrations. Many spent the afternoon colouring St. Patrick’s Day-themed books, creating vibrant rainbows, leprechauns, and pots of gold.

Celebrating cultural events like St. Patrick’s Day is important in our home, as it sparks memories, and promotes social interaction, and most of all- gives us an opportunity to smile! It also offered our residents the chance to learn about and appreciate different traditions, taste some delicious Irish snacks and foster a sense of community. 

Residents and staff at The Wingfield were delighted to receive a visit from A Million Memories Pony Parties and Therapy.

Daisy and Jammy brightened everyone's afternoon and filled the home with such excitement and joy. The adorable ponies were gentle and affectionate and the residents loved getting to know them and being able to get close enough to stroke and cuddle them.

Animal therapy sessions have many benefits for both the mind and body and they are always a big hit at the home. The ponies' calming presence eases loneliness and brings joy, offering emotional comfort and sense of connection to nature.

Massive thank you from everyone at our home to owner Kelly and daughter Farrah for helping make the visit so special. We can't wait to see you again in the near future.

Over the past few months, we’ve had the wonderful opportunity to welcome students from Warminster School to Henford House care home. What began as simple visits quickly grew into genuine friendships.

Residents and students spent their time playing board games, having sing-a-longs, sharing stories about the past and dreams for the future, and simply enjoying each other’s company. The laughter and meaningful conversations brought so much happiness to everyone involved. It was inspiring to see connections flourish across generations, proving that friendship knows no age. 

We’re incredibly grateful for these special moments and hoping to see Warminster Students visit again to brighten our days. Thank you to the amazing students, teachers and Warminster School for bringing such kindness and joy into our home!

Who says clubbing is just for the young? Our residents proved that age is just a number during a fantastic Clubbercise session hosted by Karen, one of our amazing staff members. With glow sticks in hand, Residents waved, danced, and exercised to classic tunes, filling the room with laughter, energy, and joy.

Regular exercise is vital for older adults, helping to boost mobility, improve balance, and enhance overall well-being. And let’s not forget the power of laughter—it lifts spirits, reduces stress, and brings everyone closer together.

It was a fantastic afternoon of fun, fitness, and fabulous moves, showing that you’re never too old to hit the dance floor. Here’s to staying active and making wonderful memories—one dance step at a time! 

During National Pie Week our care home was filled with the delicious aroma of freshly baked pies. Our wonderful residents rolled up their sleeves and joined in the baking fun, creating a variety of tasty pies. Later, we all enjoyed the fruits of their labour together at dinnertime.

Baking is more than just a fun activity—it’s a beautiful way to spark memories, especially through familiar tastes and smells. The sensory experience of handling ingredients, smelling the pies as they bake, and finally tasting them brings comfort, joy, and connection. Involving our residents in meaningful activities like this promotes engagement and well-being, making every bite even sweeter.

One of our Residents, lovely Julia, said: "I have never ever made a pie, but I really quite enjoyed it, especially when it was ready for eating!".  Thank you to everyone who made this delicious celebration so special! 

We celebrated International Women’s Day by looking back on the history of women that changed the world, like Marie Curie, Emily Wilding Davison, Rosa Park and Princess Diana. 

We then had a chat about women in our lives now that deserve a mention, like the carers and nurses that look after us every day, who we couldn’t live without, as they do such an amazing job.

This afternoon Janet celebrated her birthday in style. Her family very kindly organised a singer to come in and entertain our residents. 

With her family around her, she enjoyed her favourite music, especially the songs by Elvis. We also sang happy birthday to her with a beautiful handmade cake from our talented chef, Andy. 

A big thank you to Derek Hodgson for your talented singing and dancing for us all. We really enjoyed it!

We celebrated St Patrick’s day today with some different activities, there was hats and pots of gold, we had a quiz and managed to get all the questions correct. 

Then we had some activity booklets to complete from Oomph Wellness, we finished off with a social afternoon in our bistro, where we had Guinness and a game of dominoes.