Celebrating life at Barchester

Overseen by head chef, staff and residents experimented with many different types of toppings and flavour combinations - from the exotic, to the classic and everything in between! Some people controversially added pineapple, others preferred spicier options, and some stuck to a good old Margherita. 

Many people tried a folded Calzone pizza for the first time or branched out with a creamy base instead of tomato, everyone ate their fill and declared National Pizza Day a triumph!

We are delighted to be celebrating one of our colleagues long service!  Pam Rex, now Senior Carer, started at Barchester in January 2006 and has worked with residents and their relatives to ensure that their needs have been met over the years.

Chloe Baron, Acting General Manager said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating Pam’s years of loyal service with Rivermead. She has demonstrated her dedication and loyalty to this home and its residents year after year. I speak for all of us here at Rivermead when I say that I’m looking forward to many more years of working with Pam!”

What a laugh we had Friday morning at our armchair exercise session.

We got out the Pom Pom's and decided to channel our energy into some Cheer Leading Exercises . We even got our lovely manager Nicole involved. From music from The Village People, Black Lace to the all-time best ever Cheer Leading song Hey Mickey we were having a great time. All I can say is Toni Basil watch this space. 

Watching everyone having fun is what makes my job so worthwhile.       

The residents at Balclutha Court enjoyed a lovely Australia Day celebration.

We spent the day sharing stories, learning a little more about Australian traditions, and enjoying good company together. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate culture, spark conversation, and create a few smiles along the way.

Our residents enjoyed a cracking Burns Day lunch with a traditional serving of haggis, neeps & tatties.
The haggis was proudly piped in by our piper alongside our Head Chef, followed by a much-loved Address to the Haggis — a guid wee celebration of Scottish tradition.

"Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face, Great chieftain o’ the puddin-race!”

A right bonnie afternoon spent sharing good food, laughter and good company — Burns Day enjoyed the proper way. 

Our residents celebrated Hogmanay in true Scottish style with a wonderful performance from the brilliant Highland dancers at Jackson Studios. 

The girls were absolutely fantastic, and everyone had a grand time watching them. It was such a lovely treat — we can’t wait to welcome them back again!

Each week we arrange a variety of activities to bring our residents together and have FUN!

We know that being able to continue lifelong interests is a key part of our resident's identities, and we make every effort to encourage and support each resident to be able to do so. In particular, a meaningful one to one with a resident is valuable to see how we can enrich their life further and share memories. Today, residents are enjoying clay modelling and pottery making whilst enjoying each others company.

Staff and residents at Arbour Court celebrated National Activity Providers & Professionals Week, which took place from January 19th-25. Residents and staff wanted to thank the wonderful activities team at the home, whose hard work and dedication make a real difference to the lives of the residents living there. 
National Activity Providers & Professionals Week is an annual event to support activity professionals, and thank them for all the many different varied activities they provide for residents and patients. 

The activities team at Arbour Court consists of 3 wonderful ladies – Aimee, Annette and Khadija, who offer unique, tailored activities and entertainment to the residents every single day. They always go above and beyond their role and for this everyone at the home is truly grateful.

Residents at Arbour Court have had a busy couple of days in January learning all there is about birds and wildlife as we took part in the big garden birdwatch. Residents went out on a trip to Etherow Country Park where they walked around the grounds bird spotting and feeding the ducks, geese and swans. After the trip, our residents took part in a bird and wildlife quiz.

Residents started the day with Barchester’s Live Event with Rob McGee, a nature conservationist from Gwent Wildlife Trust, where he spoke about all things birds. Everyone definitely learnt something new!

After our live event, we read and looked through our bird book to see if we could name or recognise any of the birds. To finish the day off, we took a nice relaxing stroll into our garden and patios to top up our bird baths and feeders.