Celebrating life at Barchester

To the wonderful team at Wimborne on Hayling Island. Working so hard and looking after the residents

Residents of Springvale Court enjoyed an afternoon of grins with a live music performance that took place at the home. Local vocalist, Michaela Marshall of Musical Memories, performed a selection of classic hits in the home's car park with her special backing group—the staff—to the delight of residents watching from windows!

Residents joined in with the singing, and clapped along as the band performed their finale song. The hospitality team at the home also provided a spread of sweet treats for guests to enjoy during the show. 

Our residents had a wonderful day singing along with the wonderful performer and had a good old giggle watching us. We do our best to provide a wide range of activities and entertainment as part of the lifestyle enrichment programme for residents, and this was one of our favourites!

Thank you to everyone at Tyspane for looking after my Gran. You are doing an amazing job at keeping the residents safe.

To combat loneliness and isolation, staff at Marple Dale reached out to the community as part of their extended social network to seek pen-pals of all ages to remain connected during the current coronavirus crisis. 

Residents were delighted to receive colourful pictures and letters delivered to the home. Thank you for adding a little colour and sunshine to our residents' days and for your heartfelt message. It was very touching to receive such nice letters from the children.

It is amazing how a simple letter, short story, poem or even a photo or drawing can brighten someone’s day. The residents of Marple Dale will reply as part of our busy social activity sessions.    We are happy to receive things via post, which can be sent to directly to the home, or you can email us directly at marpledale.activities@barchester.com.                                                                 

Springvale Court is helping to tackle any feelings of isolation during this period within their own community. Assistance for residents to use iPads, Skype, Facebook and FaceTime is being encouraged and facilitated by care workers as a way to reach out to families, friends and loved ones during these isolating times. The team are helping residents to create cards for them to write their messages on to for friends and family to read.

Loneliness can be a big problem for elderly people, and communicating with others is key to maintaining happy residents in a happy home. Our doors are usually always open to visitors but at this time we are in lockdown like everyone else ,and so communication & keeping in touch however we can is paramount.

Residents at Bloomfield recently enjoyed the spring time sunshine in the garden. Whilst practicing safe distancing, refreshments were served while Activities Coordinators at the home supported the residents by playing ball games to improve physicality and well-being.

In these unprecedented times, providing a range of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities for our residents is more important than ever. Our residents really enjoyed the activity and fun was had by all. Our varied life enrichment programme for residents includes ways to stay in contact with relatives digitally, such as through Skype, and we have new ways to keep residents active, whilst ensuring that the group activities are smaller, adhering to social distancing advice.

Had a lovely video call this morning. It helps so much to be able to see and talk to dad during these difficult days. Thank you so much. To the staff and management in Balclutha - you are all beyond amazing. Thank you so much for all you do for your residents and families every single day but especially just now. Heroes.

Residents of Threshfield Court have been busy making rainbows, which they have displayed at the entrance of the home. Resident, Alec, was also delighted to read correspondence and art work from some of the home's local schools: Upper Wharfedale School and Grassington and Cracoe Primary School. Alec really enjoyed his time looking and reading all the correspondence. It truly is community spirit at its finest.

The idea is that members of community display rainbows in their windows so that children can go ‘rainbow spotting’ when out for their exercise with family. The colourful displays are brightening up everyone’s day! The Facebook group has over 90,000 members and the home is delighted to be part of the community spirit.

Residents of Sherwood Court have been busy making rainbows, which they have displayed on windows throughout the home in recognition of the NHS and all the care key-workers out there. 

The idea is that members of community display rainbows in their windows so that children can go ‘rainbow spotting’ when out for their exercise with family. The colourful displays are brightening up everyone’s day! The Facebook group has over 90,000 members and the home is delighted to be part of the community spirit.

Could you please thank the member of your fantastic staff that enabled me to speak to my beloved auntie via skype. My connection dropped out before I could say thank you in person for facilitating the call. That member of staff will never know how much that meant to me and my children. Thank you all.

Hazel enjoyed playing the piano in our main lounge wearing a protective mask. Despite all that is going on around us, the residents keep their spirits up and keep doing what they enjoy while also bringing pleasure to others (within an ear shot).

Residents and colleagues at Sherwood Lodge were delighted to answer the door to accept a special delivery from their local food outlet, Zebra. The boxes were filled with fresh produce of fruit and vegetables for everyone to enjoy during this difficult period.

On behalf of Sherwood Lodge, residents and colleagues would like to pass on their gratitude for being considered at this time of uncertainty, and hope everyone stays safe and well.

Residents and staff came together to create a lovely rainbow tree. We hung inspiring words and quotes to uplift each other and bring some sunshine to our home.

Residents at Henford have been busy making rainbows in support of our NHS staff at this difficult time. They have been displayed in our window for all to see. We even received a lovely email from a neighbour along with a picture of her 3 year old with her rainbow. They had seen the pictures during their walk and wanted to share their own rainbow with the residents.

The care and attention given to my Mother whilst she has been looked after cannot be faulted. Management and staff have been exemplary and I would defy anyone to find fault with any aspect of the service. The Barchester Company should be congratulated and North Park given a special accolade!!

Here at Woodside, social distancing isn’t stopping us from working out!

At Woodhorn Park, residents and colleagues were delighted to receive bags of treats from local Avon representative, Kasie, following a community appeal to recognise the hardworking staff at the home. 

The home feels so blessed to have such an amazing support network from our community, with the local church, interest groups and community all supporting us, and it is now that the support we have received has shined brighter than ever. The efforts and extra steps that people have gone to is extraordinary and we are forever grateful.

Everyone is now looking forward to a little pampering!

To combat loneliness and isolation, colleagues of Woodhorn Park reached out to the community as part of their extended social network to seek pen-pals of all ages. We reached out to nurseries, schools and members of the community to remain connected during the current coronavirus crisis. 

Residents of the home were delighted to read their first delivery ny the pupils from Bishop’s Primary School, Thomas Bewick Campus and kind words from Lacey, daughter of the home's district nurse, Steph.

Residents were delighted to receive colourful pictures and letters delivered to the home. Thank you for adding a little colour and sunshine to our resident’s day and for your heartfelt messages.