Celebrating life at Barchester

We celebrate life through everything we do, from our thoughtful experiences and activities to our delicious food. We offer the latest technology as well as sensory engagement to nurture the wellbeing of our residents. With a wide variety of tailored activities and events we make sure our residents have the best physical, mental, spiritual and social stimulation, all bespoke to them. Take a look at what we’ve been up to…

Strachan House Care Home

Botanic Gardens

This morning our residents Rosemary and Bernard were overjoyed to join the singing group at the Botanic Gardens. The views are exquisite and from what I hear, so was the singing! We have multiple singing groups here at Strachan House with our dementia music group and the Strachan House choir. It has been wonderful to get out and share our love for singing with other groups out in the community!

We simply can’t wait to go again! This group has been formed by Alzheimer’s Scotland and brings together people living with dementia both in care homes and those living in their own homes! What a wonderful initiative to be part of!

Upton Bay Care Home

A Special Wish

A special wish come true at Upton Bay.

Dorothy, who has always loved knitting, wanted to share her skills.

She connected with our team member Bebe, who was eager to learn.

Dorothy even asked her family to bring her knitting materials so she could teach Bebe.

Now, Dorothy spends a few hours each week passing on her passion.

At Upton Bay, we celebrate not only our residents’ wishes but our team’s dreams too.

Interactive fun

We were delighted with the arrival of the Rainbow Table, a fully interactive 43 inch screen programmed with various applications for cognitive engagement, social interaction and agility with various levels to facilitate all capabilities.

Today’s choices ranged from Who Wants To Be A Millionaire quiz, Pairs Games, Musical Piano, Number Painting, Nought and Crosses and Anagrams.

A valuable addition to our resources which offers residents the experience of interaction with the digital world as well as with each other either as an observer offering words of encouragement or working together as a group to solve a puzzle.

Tewkesbury Fields Care Home

Cuddles with Alfie

We've had a lovely morning with our Volunteer Jo and dog Alfie visiting residents in the lounges and some in their bedrooms.

Alfie brings beautiful moments of joy, comfort and companion to everyone.

Thanks Jo for bringing Alfie to see our residents at Tewkesbury Fields, we really appreciate your volunteering time with us all.

Today, we believe that Alfie has certainly eaten enough biscuits and treats for the day

Queens Manor Care Home

Inspiring words

Inspiring words from our residents under the creative guidance of poet and performer, Ellen Renton.

Along with Edinburgh Book Festival and Edinburgh Libraries, we are delighted to have the opportunity to be part of a 5-week project whereby each week's theme is used as inspiration for sharing, reading, reminiscing or writing poetic prose.

Cossins House Care Home

Tina's Cocktail Party

Our wonderful Care Assistant, Tina, organised a Cocktail Party for our residents. Different flavoured gins, prosecco, wines and piña coladas served with cheese and biscuits.

Resident Shirley said, ‘It's just like being in the pub again.’

Tina served the drinks with fruit and played some music to enhance the Cocktail Party. Our residents had a wonderful afternoon and said they would love to do this more often and enhance it with a Family Quiz.

Cossins House Care Home

Fruit tasting session

Everyone at Cossins House really enjoyed a fruit tasting session with our Deputy Manager Marita. Tasting exotic flavours. Marita filled her basket with all different fruits and juices of all different colours.

Some were delicious and some not so nice to taste. Our residents are very fond of fruit and really enjoyed themselves. We have recognised each individual's favourite fruits to deliver daily.

Cossins House Care Home

Remembrance Sunday

Our local vicar popped in to say a prayer and hold a Holy Communion Service for all our soldiers who fought for our country and had a two-minute silence with our residents.

We all came together to remember all those lost and loved and shared some treasured memories over a glass of Sherry. Wearing our Poppies with Pride and listening to some beautiful poems in their memory.

Tyspane Care Home

Wild Science Animals

Staff and residents at Tyspane Care Home had a whale of a time when they spent time with Sophie from Wild Science. Residents had a brilliant time learning about all different kinds of animals and their habitats.

Paula Quin, a resident, said, “I love all animals so it was such a treat to meet the snakes, guineapigs, snails, and quails.”

June, a resident said, “I used to breed guinea pigs, so it was wonderful to spend time with the guinea pigs, thank you.”

Our varied life enrichment programme keeps residents active, and provides a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents’ interests and abilities.