Celebrating life at Barchester

These cards and pictures and stories have been sent in to us by lots of pupils at St James The Great Nursery and Primary School in Thornton  Heath. They made contact with us through one of their staff members, Nicole Duffy, who knows the home. They were really keen to make contact with our residents and keep them cheerful throughout this very difficult time when they are socially distanced from their loved ones.

Everything we have received has been absolutely delightful and has cheered us all up so much. The residents are really pleased to know that there are children out there who are thinking about them. There are some amazing pictures and stories that we have all read and they are displayed throughout the home. We will be sending thank you letters and cards back to the children when we can and will also be inviting them into the home later in the year to say a very special thank you to them all.

What a wonderful school to think about us all here. Please keep sending them!

Team members and residents at Washington Grange received a surprise delivery recently. The local Aldi supermarket donated bread and delicious hot cross buns. Everyone at the home was grateful for this kind gesture and for the great community spirit. It is essential to stay positive during this unprecedented time.

I would like to take this opportunity to say a very big thank you to yourself and all the other HEROES who are caring for everyone. I hope you are all well and stay safe if that is possible. 

Residents wanted to show appreciation to the NHS and care workers and all key workers by creating a poster. It was a lovely morning fill of laughing and smiles throughout.

We hope you are keeping well and thank you for your hard work to keep everyone safe and well. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH!

Thank you for your regular updates. The care of our mother at Rothsay Grange before and during this pandemic has been well managed and compassionate. We would like to convey our thanks to all the staff. 

Meadowbeck have teamed up with a number of local schools including Osbaldwick Academy and Heworth Primary School as well as young friends from the local community for a newly launched pen pal scheme, connecting residents within their homes with creative writing pupils to help combat social isolation to keep them connected to family, friends and the community during the coronavirus pandemic.

Residents of the home have been sharing their stories of the past and making new friends in the inter-generational scheme.

Letter writing, which is part of the school’s creative writing curriculum, has covered topics such as holidays and places to visit, also one student who is learning German writing a letter in German to one of our residents who was born and raised in Germany, as well as cautionary tales from both the students and the residents of Meadowbeck Care Home.

Residents were able to share their interesting tales of the past, and their passion for music and Ballroom dancing and Scenic walks.

I would like to thank all the staff for looking after my dad whilst he was on memory lane, the care team were wonderful as were the nurses. The Head Housekeeper, Tracey, was lovely, she would often have chats with dad and us when we visited, a big thank you to you all!

You have amazing staff at Glebefields, we cannot thank them all enough

This week some wonderful banners were put up in the village of Stamford Bridge, where in better times our residents would enjoy a visit to the coffee shop and local pub. These signs have helped boost the spirits of all our staff, who continue to work hard to care for our elderly patients through this uncertain time, and with such an amazing community we look forward to a time we can visit again.

All of us from Winchester House would like to send good vibes this Easter week to everyone and contribute in telling people to ‘stay at home’. This past few weeks, it's been very hectic and we would like to put smile on people's faces.

Residents of Sherwood Lodge have been overwhelmed with messages from their local community. The local constabulary have visited and clapped for carers whilst delivering Easter eggs, and this time, the local youth group, Impact Youth Group, have created a banner to cheer everyone up and bring a smile to their faces. Everyone is looking forward to time when they can visit again for coffee and cake!  

I would just like to pass on my thanks once again to you and all the team at Westvale for the excellent way in which you have dealt with my mum’s illness over the past few weeks. I can honestly say this has been one of the worst few weeks of my life and at one point I was preparing for the worst. You and all the team have shown such kindness and compassion when they themselves are going through such a difficult time.

Residents and colleagues at Woodhorn Park were delighted to receive a beautiful gift from the family of a former resident, which was a small gesture thanking the home for the care shown to their mum, and to residents now during this challenging period.

Residents have been hard as work creating cards as a surprise. They have decorated the front and written personalised messages on the inside. They have also had great fun posing for pictures with our love message board, which will be printed and put inside the cards.

Residents have also been making use of Skype and Facetime so that they can video call their relatives – although some weren’t too sure about the new technology

I just had to contact you all to express my sincere thanks for everything you are doing at this present time. The home have done their utmost to provide care and safety for all of the residents and importantly keeping us informed daily as we are unable to visit. Charles Sadler and all the staff at Corrina Lodge are much appreciated by all families I am sure. They certainly are by me and my sisters. Thank you once again.

During these difficult times, we know at Hunters how important it is to keep up morale amongst the residents. This week, we made use of Skype to relay a singalong with the Mind Song music charity into the lounge for the residents to enjoy.  

The activity staff worked with Mitch from Mind Song to make sure that everyone had a really enjoyable afternoon. The session was ended with a very patriotic rendition of 'We’ll Meet Again' accompanied by plenty of Union Jack waving.

Well done to everyone. I need to mention Braeburn Lodge in Deeping St James, keeping my mum safe and giving her the best care.

Residents at Ochil recently enjoyed an egg-stravaganza from the local community, who treated the residents to an early ‘Easter bunny’ when they were surprised by the generosity of their local Morrison’s store, who kindly delivered Easter eggs for every resident and staff member, and it meant such a lot, as visitors are currently not able to visit the home at this time.