Celebrating life at Barchester

Our residents love to dance and glide across the dancefloor with fancy foot work!  Ballroom is a firm favourite as they waltz around the floor to old time classics, singing as they go. 

Afterwards, over a cup of team they enjoy sharing stories of times spent in the dance halls.

We were down to standing room only this evening, as Carousel Theatre Company performed Cinderella here in our Café.  

Packed to the rafters, we enjoyed a whole host of panto puns and adult innuendos that made everyone giggle! 

There were plenty of opportunities for us to join in too, with the show finishing with a Christmas-themed sing-a-long. We were joined by so many families and friends, really making the evening special for all. Thank you to everyone who joined us. Who doesn’t love a Panto?! Merry Christmas! 

We’ve had such a fun morning with our toddler group here in the home. 

With a visit from the big man himself, we enjoyed toys, cake and plenty of sweets! The Café was buzzing with festive cheer, the perfect way to brighten up a miserable day!  

Thank you to everyone who joined us, our next Toddler Group will be on the last Thursday in January!       

One of the highlights of our festive calendar, The Acchord Voices Choir joined us at home this evening.  

With low level lighting, twinkly Christmas lights, our favourite carols filled the home, and left no one feeling anything but festive.  

After, we enjoyed mulled wine and mince pies, and in true Hurstwood style – Prosecco.    

This morning we marked remembrance day with a service here in our Café. Watching the coverage on the BBC, we honoured the two-minute silence, followed by The Last Post, which was played beautifully by our Resident, Nelson. 

Prior to this, Nelson had played The Last Post on his Bugle for over 40 years at a local church. The service was a poignant reminder of all those who served and lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars. Thank you to everyone who joined us. 

Lest we forget.      

The home was full of energy as residents enjoyed an afternoon variety performance from the talented Hannah Lebrecht. 

Her mix of magic, singing and dancing quickly captured everyone’s attention, building to a lively atmosphere that had residents up on their feet and joining in. It was a fun, shared afternoon that brought plenty of smiles around the home.

Our residents here at Kings Park really enjoy their visits from our two young volunteers that are helping us out as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award. It is so wonderful to see the generations coming together, they interact beautifully and of course have great fun too. A good game of Scrabble and Rummicub always goes down well with us!

As always, we had a fantastic visit from Jane at Peaceful Pathways Dorset and Helpful Hounds Community Dogs ! Jane and Umber came to visit our residents this week creating happiness and smiles all around the home. Between the two of them they support conversation and bring joy to the residents. Jane also spread her magic to the residents through her music and movement session, also by sharing a mini massage and finishing with the lap harp… which of course made us all so relaxed, we went gently off to sleep.