Celebrating life at Barchester

Who said once you are in a care home that school days are over? Well not if you are at Fordmill! Our residents went back to school, and what a fun-filled afternoon we had!

There was plenty of laughter, learning and a friendly competition as everyone put their knowledge to the test. From remembering old school days to answering questions and joining in with our classroom activities, our residents showed us that you’re never too old to learn something new.

 Of course, our classroom wasn’t all serious work, there was lots of chatting, joking and cheeky behaviour too! It was lovely to see so many smiles and hear residents sharing memories of their own school days, favourite teacher and subjects. It was a brilliant afternoon full of fun and friendship.

On Thursday mornings, we join together to play our favourite games, Scrabble and Word Association. What better way to spend a Thursday morning than with plenty of laughter, and a good cup of tea? Together, residents put their word skills to the test, sharing stories, and cheering each other on as the letters came together. “I haven’t played Scrabble in years, but it all came back to me. The best part isn’t winning, it’s the laughter around the table, it keeps my mind active and gives me something to look forward to every week.”

These simple moments of connection, conversation, and friendly competition are what make life in our home so special. Thank you to everyone who joined in, we’re already looking forward to next Thursday! 

Activity Assistant Marie ensures all residents' accessibility needs are met, whether this be profiling tables or large print, taking extra time or ensuring everyone is encouraged to be involved.     

On Thursday last week, the sun hadn’t got to us, we weren’t going mad, (or maybe some of us), we were treated by the Globe Theatre to a live virtual puppet event, and created our own puppets from newspapers! Our ladies and gents enjoyed sharing their memories of favourite puppets gone by, ones we’d forgotten and finding new ones!  

Thank you to all the team for another instalment of such great virtual life enrichment. Technological systems still amaze our residents today, connecting the old with the new.

What a wonderful day of pampering we’ve had! Our residents enjoyed some well-deserved manicure time, with lots of smiles, chats and a little bit of glamour.   

It was especially lovely being able to take photos and share these special moments with their loved ones across the world.  

Knowing that families can feel part of these precious moments, no matter how far away they are, makes them even more meaningful. A beautiful day filled with relaxation, friendship and lots of lovely nails!    

Residents enjoyed a visit from Smile Through Sport in partnership with Mind Active. Gentle exercise with balls, bats and cones to music. 

Exercise supports muscle tone, strength and hand to eye coordination. Our ladies and gentlemen enjoyed a lovely morning.    

Good friend Debbie still pops in to say hello to all the staff and residents when she has the chance. 

Today reminded us that some friendships truly stand the test of time. It was wonderful to see one of our lovely residents enjoying a visit from a dear friend, sharing memories, laughter, and the kind of conversation that only lifelong friends can have.  

“We’ve known each other for so many years, and it feels like no time has passed at all, true friends never drift apart, they simply pick up where they left off.” These visits mean so much, bringing comfort, joy, and a wonderful sense of connection, we’re always delighted to welcome friends and loved ones into our home and to celebrate the special bonds that continue to brighten our residents’ days, here’s to friendships that last a lifetime.’’

Our residents enjoyed a fantastic afternoon out at Hamerton Zoo Park, filled with animals, fresh air, laughter and plenty of wonderful memories.

Before exploring the zoo, everyone enjoyed a lovely picnic together, giving residents the perfect opportunity to relax, enjoy some tasty food and chat with friends before setting off on their adventure.

We then made our way around the zoo, where residents had great fun spotting and learning about all the different animals. There was plenty to see, including some exciting new arrivals such as the black panther and brown bears.

It was wonderful to see the residents’ faces light up as they watched the animals and shared their experiences with one another. The trip provided a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, spend time together and create some special memories.

A brilliant afternoon was had by all!  

Longueville Court was filled with music, singing and dancing when the wonderful Denise and John from Boots & Strings joined us for another fantastic afternoon of entertainment.

The atmosphere was wonderful from the very beginning, with our residents singing along to their favourite songs and enjoying the lively performance.

There was plenty of participation too, with residents getting up to dance and even some family members taking to the microphone to join in with the singing! It was fantastic to see residents, relatives and friends all coming together and enjoying the afternoon.
Music has a wonderful way of bringing people together, and this was certainly evident as everyone shared smiles, laughter and some brilliant moments on the dance floor.    

A huge thank you to Denise and John from Boots & Strings for another fantastic afternoon. We can’t wait to welcome them back to Longueville Court!