Celebrating life at Barchester

After all the fun of the Nessie hunt and our Scottish-themed adventure at the home last month, residents embarked on a magical journey to celebrate the upcoming lunar new year with the wonderful Boogie Beat intergenerational class. Our residents got to enjoy making fireworks with ribbons and scaring off monsters with the children. 

Residents always have a lot of fun and enjoyment when Boogie Beat come to visit and look forward to their return. 

We were honoured to be involved in the Fringe Care Fest’s “Life Goes On” film. Our residents were so excited to see the short film that featured several of our own wonderful residents. At the home, residents were tucking into homemade canapés prepared by our amazing chef and walking the Drummond Grange red carpet before watching the film. 

At the same time some of the staff and residents including our home’s resident ambassador Sussanne and Rhoda got to attend the premiere of the film held at the Scotsman Hotel. All of our residents thoroughly enjoyed themselves and are even more excited for the Fringe Care Fest coming back to the home this year.  

There were pancakes for everyone on Shrove Tuesday at our Pancake Station! 

The favourite topping combination was strawberry sauce and fresh strawberries, perfect for the rare glimpse of sunshine. Residents told us that the pancakes were “fabulous like me” and that the set-up was “simply brilliant” and they are looking forward to doing it again next year!     

Last week we welcomed new residents to our home and what better way to welcome them than with fun, friendship and flower arranging! One of our favourite activities to do together, and we love to share our creations with everyone! 

Here’s the beautiful Myra and Theresa getting to know each other. 

Welcome to all our new residents. We can’t wait to get to know you all!    

This Valentine’s Day at Strachan House focussed on a different kind of love! Moving away from romantic love, we focussed all our efforts on platonic love and building friendships! Stealing an idea of speed dating, we decided to try “speed friendships." Our residents and staff from all departments got involved with people swapping stories and sharing their likes and dislikes. The premise was five minutes per person or group and all questions welcome, within reason! We now all have a better idea of what makes the people we work with and live with tick and can provide better care and friendships as a result!  

Meaningful moments like this are something we always strive for, and it was so nice to see residents and staff from all teams getting involved! Of course, the drinks' trolley made an appearance as well as a beautiful buffet courtesy of the kitchen team! 

Pal-entines love from us to you! We hope you all have a love-filled day! 

At Westwood House we welcome all members of the community to join us for events, activities and dining. We are so fortunate to have 'Tappy Toes baby and toddler group join us for a morning of dancing and fun. 

The resident's love engaging and joining in with the young ones, from using props and dressing up as we dance along together. Tappy Toes joins us twice a month. If you would like to come and join us please call ahead for dates and times.        

We had a wonderful day spreading the love! There is always love being spread throughout our home but with today being Valentine’s Day we thought why not just double/triple check that everyone knows how much they are loved! 

Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone out there from us all at The Dales!        

On February 28th, a team of eight care home workers from Chester Court will be tackling a 15 mile hike to raise money for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation. The Foundation supports older people and other adults living with a disability or mental health problems by helping them to connect or re-connect with others in their local communities.

Laura Tindle is normally the General Manager at Chester Court, but on February 28^th she will be donning her walking boots and leading her team using sheer grit and determination on a 15 mile hike from sister home Bedewell Grange in Hebburn back to Chester Court in Bedlington, in order to raise funds for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation.