Celebrating life at Barchester

Our residents have been busy making dog treats for our first Community Dog Cafe at Fountains!

There's been plenty of excitement as we prepare to welcome local dog owners and their four-legged friends into our home!  Making treats has been a lovely way for residents to get involved and help give our furry visitors a warm welcome. 

We're looking forward to bringing residents, neighbors and dogs together for a friendly afternoon - with some homemade treats for the dogs to enjoy!

We were delighted to celebrate a very special milestone at Fountains as Doreen turned 100!

It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Doreen and mark this remarkable birthday.  Reaching a century is something truly special, and we are so pleased to share this moment with her.  

From everyone at fountains, Happy 100th Birthday Doreen!!  Sending you lots of love and warm wishes on your special day!

Annie had a brilliant day spending time with her friends followed by, been serenade by team members, who chorused Happy Birthday and presented Annie with a wonderful birthday cake, baked freshly by our amazing kitchen team.

Residents gathered together to enjoy the wonderful afternoon entertainment! Ukulele Henry loves to engage and include the residents in his performances by letting them have a go at singing along and making them feel special!

Residents and staff  enjoyed a memorable autumn outing to the Pumpkin Patch at Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park. Our Activities Coordinator, Liz, won the tickets, and the day gave everyone a real lift.
The sun broke through the clouds just as we arrived. Under strings of festoon lights, residents wandered among towering displays of pumpkins, squashes and gourds in every shape and colour. A friendly scarecrows and  witches in a splendid green hats stopped for photos and waves, and a pair of stilt-walking characters towered above the group, to lots of laughter.
We may not celebrate Halloween the American way, and there were no spooky dark nights here, but we certainly had fun. This was all about the colour and joy of autumn: pumpkins, costumes, laughter and good company in the daylight.
We took a break on a bench in front of a wall of pumpkins, with warm drinks to hand, and shared stories and smiles. Some residents even had a little dance in the sunshine, and everyone came away with a bright pumpkin badge.
The benefits go well beyond the fun. Fresh air and gentle walking support mobility and wellbeing. The seasonal sights, sounds and smells spark memories and conversation. Time spent together builds friendships and a sense of belonging, and being out in the community reminds residents that they are part of the wider world.
A big thank you to Liz for winning the tickets, and to the team who supported our residents so they could enjoy the day safely and comfortably. We are already looking forward to our next adventure!

 

We had a wonderful time celebrating Sukkot, the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles, with our residents and team.

Sukkot is a special time for giving thanks, celebrating the harvest and enjoying being together, and it was lovely to share in these traditions.

There were some wonderful conversations as residents shared their own memories of celebrating Sukkot over the years, while others enjoyed learning more about the festival and its meaning.

One of the loveliest things about life in our home is bringing people together to share their stories, traditions and experiences. These special occasions give us the chance to learn from one another and create lovely new memories along the way.

Chag Sameach to everyone who celebrated!