Celebrating life at Barchester

Our residents celebrated National Art Day with a variety of creative activities. 

In the afternoon, they took up their paintbrushes and took inspiration from Vincent Van Gough to paint these beautiful sunflowers.  

Anne thoroughly enjoyed baking these delicious Hot Cross buns for Good Friday. 

Anne shared her Hot Cross Buns with friends and family throughout the Easter weekend, which gave her a lot of joy and familiarity, as she was always a keen cook.       

The residents were thrilled to meet our new PAT Dog Isla. 

Pet therapy is a great resource for our residents, many of whom have pets themselves. Meeting Isla gave residents an opportunity to chat with a dog owner about their own pets and get some special cuddles with Isla. 

We had a patriotic afternoon on the 23rd April – Celebrating St George’s Day.

We all sang traditional English songs, waved our flags – and, of course, finished with tea and scones.

It opened the whole debate – scone to rhyme with cone or scone to rhyme with gone? Jam and cream or cream and jam?

Some of the songs we sang included Rule Britannia, Land of Hope and Glory, There will Always be an England, Greensleeves.

Then moved on to My Old Man’s a Dustman, Swing Low Sweet Chariot, I do like to be besides the Seaside – again opening a discussion on our favourite English Seasides.

Finishing, of course – with the National Anthem!      

Our residents had a delightful afternoon celebrating St. George’s Day, embracing the festive spirit with various activities and camaraderie. The atmosphere was vibrant, filled with laughter and joy as everyone gathered to enjoy traditional English treats and refreshments. Creative games and storytelling sessions highlighted the rich history and legends associated with St. George, fostering a sense of community among the attendees. 

The colourful decorations and cheerful music further enhanced the celebratory mood, making it a memorable day for all involved. It was heartwarming to see the residents come together, sharing stories and creating new memories in honour of this cherished occasion.    

Our residents had a delightful afternoon celebrating St. George’s Day, embracing the festive spirit with various activities and camaraderie. The atmosphere was vibrant, filled with laughter and joy as everyone gathered to enjoy traditional English treats and refreshments. Creative games and storytelling sessions highlighted the rich history and legends associated with St. George, fostering a sense of community among the attendees. The colourful decorations and cheerful music further enhanced the celebratory mood, making it a memorable day for all involved. It was heartwarming to see the residents come together, sharing stories and creating new memories in honour of this cherished occasion. 

It was a heartwarming day when the local primary school visited our residents. The students took the time to read engaging stories, bringing smiles and joy to everyone. As a thoughtful gesture, they gifted beautiful flowers, brightening the atmosphere even more. 

To top it all off, Park View ensured that each child left with a delightful cupcake, making the experience both memorable and sweet for everyone involved. This community interaction not only fostered connections but also created cherished moments for both the residents and the young readers.     

Thank you, Jill & Ravinder from the Epping Knit & Natter Community Group

Our residents had a wonderful time creating colourful pompoms from start to finish. It was a lovely session filled with shared knitting experiences, skills, and creative ideas.

Even our gentle resident took a stab at it, joining in and enjoying the moment.

Today’s session brought smiles, conversation, and plenty of inspiration. We’re already looking forward to the next one!     

We’ve been getting creative here at Cedars, celebrating St George’s Day with some fantastic dragon colouring activities.
Our residents enjoyed bringing their dragons to life with bright colours and unique designs — a lovely way to relax, get creative, and mark the occasion together. 

There were plenty of smiles, chats, and imagination flowing as everyone added their own artistic touch. Who knew we had so many talented dragon designers in the home? 

A wonderful way to celebrate and enjoy some creative time together.