Celebrating life at Barchester

Our Valentines celebration at Hollyfields was a great success! Residents enjoyed a beautifully presented selection of sweet treats in a lovingly decorated setting, bringing everyone together for an afternoon of joy, companionship and celebration. 

White Lodge was delighted to host the bike marking event for the local Community Police team. Prior to the event, White Lodge raised funds for the bike marking kit through a community fundraising event, demonstrating its commitment to supporting local safety initiatives.
On the day, the officers set up a table in a visible area, making it easy for individuals to find them and take part. Members of the local community came along to have their bikes security marked. While visiting, they also had the opportunity to look around the home and admire the beautiful surroundings.
Residents enjoyed meeting the police officers, learning more about their work, and discussing the valuable service they provide to the community. White Lodge looks forward to working more closely with local charities and community partners in the future.

The residents at White Lodge recently came together to celebrate Dignity in Care, spreading awareness about what dignity truly means to them.
When asked, “What does dignity mean to you?”, residents shared some heartfelt responses. Comments such as, “Dignity to me means having my voice heard,” and “Empowering individuals to make their own decisions,” beautifully captured the importance of respect, choice, and independence in everyday life.
We were also delighted to introduce Elizabeth, our dedicated Dignity Champion. Elizabeth is committed to ensuring that every resident is treated with respect, compassion, and dignity, and she continues to advocate for residents’ rights and wellbeing.
To bring the celebration to life, Philip Dowding entertained everyone by playing his organ, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere. Residents enjoyed a lovely afternoon of music, tea, and delicious cakes freshly prepared by our kitchen team.
It was a truly special day, celebrating the values that matter most to our community.

At Ritson Lodge we know that being able to continue lifelong hobbies or 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.

Arts and crafts sessions are a regular feature of our monthly activities programme and this week our Residents enjoyed making beach themed pottery. These sessions are great for cognitive and motor skills.

At Ritson Lodge that's what we like to do - create fun, and ensure our residents are leading full enriched lives.

At Bryn Ivor Lodge Care Home, we believe wellbeing is about more than daily support – it’s about creating meaningful moments that help our residents feel valued, relaxed, and truly cherished.

Recently, residents enjoyed a wonderfully calming massage session delivered by our fully qualified visiting masseuse, who will now be joining us each month. Gentle hand massages offered soothing relaxation and precious one-to-one time, leaving everyone feeling refreshed and uplifted.

While waiting for their session, residents took part in creative activities, making personalised name bracelets and decorative paper hearts. The room was filled with laughter, conversation, and a real sense of togetherness.

Experiences like these reflect our ongoing commitment to comfort, creativity, companionship, and individual wellbeing in a warm and supportive environment.

Valentine’s Day at Bryn Ivor Lodge was a heartwarming celebration enjoyed by residents and staff alike. The home was filled with love, laughter and beautiful decorations as everyone came together for a special party. Residents enjoyed music, sweet treats and time spent socialising, creating wonderful memories in a joyful atmosphere. Alongside the festivities we also hosted relaxing pamper sessions giving residents the opportunity to feel extra special with gentle hand massages, manicures and a touch of glamour. It was a truly uplifting day that celebrated friendship, kindness and the importance of feeling valued and cherished within our community.

Celebrations have been in full swing as one of our residents reached her centenary in style.

Beryl was joined by staff, relatives, friends and other residents as she received a telegram from the King in recognition of her landmark birthday. A champagne reception was held at the home and guests enjoyed a special birthday cake made by the home’s chef.

Beryl was Born in Hounslow on the 29/01/1926, Middlesex and moved to south sea when she was 5 years old. Beryl met her husband at 18 years old during the war when she started work at the government war office. Beryl enjoys sharing stories about her life and listening to others. Beryl use to be a member of the WI after retirement and also use to play tennis at Water-low Park and use to enjoy swimming

Our residents recently enjoyed a wonderful day trip to St Fagans National Museum of History, travelling together on our minibus for a memorable outing. The visit offered a fantastic opportunity to explore Welsh heritage, beautiful historic buildings and engaging exhibitions in a relaxed and accessible setting. There were smiles all around as residents shared stories, asked questions and took in the surroundings at their own pace. The museum staff were incredibly welcoming and supportive, helping to make the day smooth and enjoyable for everyone. Trips like these are an important part of life at Bryn Ivor Lodge, promoting wellbeing, companionship and meaningful experiences.