Celebrating life at Barchester

As part of the BBC's Big Butterfly Count, residents and staff enjoyed taking part in the butterfly survey in our garden, where we spotted 1 Red Admiral and 6 Cabbage White butterflies, helping contribute to this nationwide citizen science project.

Our residents made the most of the beautiful weather by spending time in the garden creating a special butterfly feeding station in celebration of National Butterfly Week.

Working together, they carefully sliced a variety of fresh fruits before hanging them from the trees to help attract butterflies into our garden. It was wonderful to see so many beautiful butterflies visiting while we were creating it, making the activity even more rewarding for everyone involved.

As well as enjoying a relaxing afternoon outdoors, residents were able to support local wildlife, encourage pollinators into our garden, and appreciate the beauty of nature all around us. There were plenty of smiles, conversations, and moments of wonder as butterflies fluttered by.

A lovely afternoon celebrating nature, caring for our environment, and making our garden an even more welcoming place for Wildlife.

And our winners are … Gem Woodford crowned Activities Coordinator of the year for the South West Division and Eileen De Caen crowned Resident Ambassador of the year!!

Next stop…the nationals!

Nearly 6,000 incredibly high-standard nominations were received this year.

Gemma will join winners from across the UK at a special awards event in October to celebrate their outstanding achievements and see if they’ve won a national award.

Alina Daneţiu our Home Manager “ I am absolutely delighted to congratulate both Gemma and Eileen, on their fantastic achievements at this year’s Barchester Care Awards.

To have both our Activity Lead and our Resident Ambassador recognised as Regional Winners for the South West is an incredible honour and something we are all immensely proud of. These awards are a true reflection of the passion, dedication and positivity they bring to The Fernes every single day.

Gemma’s commitment to creating meaningful experiences, building community connections and enriching the lives of our residents is truly inspiring. Eileen has been an exceptional Resident Ambassador, warmly welcoming new residents, representing our home with pride and helping to make The Fernes such a special place to live.

On behalf of everyone at The Fernes, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to both Gemma and Eileen. Your kindness, enthusiasm and dedication make an enormous difference, and these awards are richly deserved.

We were delighted to welcome three very special young visitors to our home – the wonderful children of Becky, the physiotherapist who supports one of our lovely ladies on Memory Lane. Becky is always so kind and supportive, often joining in with our life enrichment activities, so it was such a pleasure to meet her beautiful family.

The children completely stole everyone’s hearts. They put on their very own performance for our residents, playing the violin, guitar and piano, as well as singing and dancing. Afterwards, they spent time chatting with residents, reading books together, sharing stories, and even accompanying residents back to the lounges for a drink and a friendly conversation.

Their kindness, confidence and impeccable manners were beyond their years. They brought so many smiles, sparked wonderful conversations and truly lit up our residents’ faces. The joy they shared reminded us just how powerful intergenerational connections can be.

Becky, you should be incredibly proud. You have raised three remarkable young people, and we are so grateful that you shared them with us for the afternoon. Thank you for giving our residents such a heart-warming experience and creating memories that will be treasured for a long time to come. We can’t wait to welcome you all back again soon. 

There was a very special celebration at Magnolia Court Care Home as resident Lan Fong marked her 100th birthday.

Lan Fong, who has been part of the Magnolia Court family since December 2025, celebrated the milestone with fellow residents, staff and her family. Her son made the occasion even more special by bringing in a beautiful birthday cake for everyone to enjoy together.

Originally from China, Lan Fong is a proud mother of two sons and speaks Mandarin. She was delighted with the birthday celebrations and the opportunity to share such a memorable day with those around her.

Everyone at Magnolia Court was honoured to celebrate this incredible milestone and wishes Lan Fong continued happiness, good health and many more wonderful years.

Birthdays are always a special occasion at Cheverton Lodge Care Home, where residents, families, and staff come together to make each celebration truly memorable.  

Recently, we had the pleasure of celebrating the birthdays of two wonderful residents, Elizabeth and Gwyneth. Both ladies were surrounded by thoughtful birthday cards, lovely gifts, warm wishes from family and friends, and plenty of smiles from fellow residents and our caring team. Everyone gathered together to sing "Happy Birthday," creating a joyful atmosphere filled with laughter and celebration.

The birthday treats were just as special, with Elizabeth enjoying not one but two delicious birthday cakes, while chocolate lover Gwyneth was delighted with a scrumptious chocolate birthday cake and her favourite chocolates.

At Cheverton Lodge, celebrating birthdays is about much more than cake and presents. These occasions help residents feel valued, strengthen friendships, encourage social interaction, and create lasting memories for everyone in our home. We are proud to make every resident's special day one to remember and look forward to celebrating many more birthdays together.

Residents at Cheverton Lodge Care Home embraced their creative side during an arts and crafts session inspired by the vibrant colours of summer flowers.

The activity was designed to encourage self-expression, stimulate creativity, and promote wellbeing through art. Residents painted beautiful floral pictures while chatting with friends and supporting one another throughout the session. One resident proudly shared that painting helped them relax and reminded them of their love of flowers.

At the end of the session, everyone enjoyed displaying and admiring each other's artwork, celebrating every individual's creativity. Activities like this help build confidence, encourage social connections, and provide residents with a rewarding sense of achievement.

Residents at Cheverton Lodge Care Home enjoyed spending time outdoors watering the garden and helping to care for the colourful flowers that brighten the home's outdoor spaces.

Gardening activities provide gentle physical exercise, encourage independence, and give residents a sense of purpose while enjoying the fresh air. Several residents shared their gardening knowledge with staff, while others reminisced about tending their own gardens over the years.

Working together to care for the garden created a wonderful opportunity for conversation, teamwork, and enjoying the sunshine. The beautiful outdoor space is a source of pride for everyone at Cheverton Lodge, and residents always enjoy helping it flourish throughout the summer.    

Residents on the first floor at Cheverton Lodge Care Home were treated to a relaxing pamper session designed to promote wellbeing, confidence, and self-care.

Each resident enjoyed a soothing hand massage before choosing a favourite nail polish colour, allowing them to express their own style and personality. One resident commented that having her nails done made her "feel glamorous again," while others enjoyed chatting, laughing, and complimenting one another's colourful nails.

The session encouraged social interaction, relaxation, and positive self-esteem while providing valuable one-to-one time with staff. At Cheverton Lodge, creating meaningful experiences like these helps residents feel valued, cared for, and truly at home.

Residents from Cheverton Lodge Care Home enjoyed a wonderful trip to Clissold Park, spending the day surrounded by nature, fresh air, and beautiful scenery.

The outing was organised to encourage residents to stay active, enjoy a change of scenery, and promote physical and emotional wellbeing through time spent outdoors. Residents enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the park, taking in the colourful gardens and peaceful surroundings before visiting the animal area, where they delighted in seeing a variety of birds and even reindeer. The visit sparked conversations and happy memories, with several residents reminiscing about family days spent in parks and the countryside.

The trip provided a fantastic opportunity for residents and staff to spend quality time together while enjoying the summer weather. At Cheverton Lodge, regular community outings help residents remain connected with the local area, create meaningful experiences, and support an active and fulfilling lifestyle.