Celebrating life at Barchester

We are thrilled to announce that the winner of the February Employee of the Month award goes to Cassie, Second Chef. Who is a valued member of our team here at the home!

Stefan Lupu, our General Manager, expressed “Cassie is always happy and with a bright smile, supporting the Chef is catering for the whole home with a whole home approach attitude”

Cassie has been part of the home for over 14 years and started her career in hospitality working her way up to second Chef.  Cassie has a very positive attitude with her gentle nature which makes significant impact on the daily lives and social interactions of our residents and staff. 

Congratulations and thank you, Cassie, for your outstanding contribution from all the residents and staff here at Hampton Grove Care Home.

Spring is definitely coming so at Mulberry Court Care Home we decided to make a fantastic spring flower themed collage.
Thanks to Chantana and Mike who did a lot of the preparation, painting a beautiful background for our 3D daffodils and tulips, as well as printing out birds to be cut out coloured and added to the picture.

Residents and their families all worked together to create the finished piece proudly displayed near the entrance to our ground floor dining room.

Mike felt our spring garden needed a fairy can you spot her sitting amongst the flowers?

We have lots more arts and crafts planned including making Easter cards.     

Juniper House was filled with excitement and smiles this week as we welcomed a very special visit from Lucia’s Tiny Farm. The highlight of the day was a adorable six-week-old baby rabbit, who quickly stole everyone’s hearts with their soft fur and gentle nature.
Residents also had the chance to meet some friendly guinea pigs, a calm and curious tortoise, a cheerful chicken, and a lovely dog who happily greeted everyone with a wagging tail.

Animal visits like these bring so much joy to our home. They spark wonderful memories, encourage conversation, and create a warm and uplifting atmosphere for both residents and staff.   

By popular demand, we welcomed a bigger crowd families, friends, supporters, and a few “professional watchers” who came just to clap along  Props were at the ready as everyone followed some gentle arm movements. Nothing too wild we’re talking waves, stretches, and the occasional “Is this yoga or are we directing traffic?” moment.

The result? Residents and families enjoyed an easy, relaxed, and surprisingly fun session together. Smiles were stretched just as much as the arms! Who knew fitness could look this cheerful? Same time next week arm workouts and laughter guaranteed!     

Our residents were very happy to share their green-fingered garden knowledge during a recent trip to the garden centre, as we stocked up on beautiful florals ready for our garden and potting shed. 

We are all so excited for Spring and to add our own touch on our lovely garden!

Winchester House, activity staff, along with Tracy Coyd, our new Deputy Manager, have been busy over the last few weeks trying to provide a quiet and cosy space for our communities to go and relax.

We have arranged our Namaste room, so this can be used as a pamper room or simply just to go and relax. Some ladies like to tuck themselves away so they can enjoy reading their books. This is a fantastic way of forming great friendships with our communities, as they discuss what they are reading over a cuppa and a slice of cake.

Reading is a big part of our ladies' lives, as it’s a way of escaping and exploring different worlds and times. It's also an act of companion and offers comfort and emotional connections and a sense of shared experiences.       

This week we welcomed the first signs of spring with a delightful Sip & Paint afternoon. Residents enjoyed a glass of prosecco or refreshing non-alcoholic mocktails while painting beautiful watercolour daffodils. 

A wonderful way to celebrate the arrival of March with creativity, colour and good company.     

As we move just a few weeks closer to Easter, it is a wonderful time to reflect on the changing season and the sense of renewal that spring brings. The days are becoming longer and brighter, creating the perfect opportunity to start conversations about Easter traditions, new beginnings, and cherished memories of this special time of year. To complement these seasonal conversations, we were delighted to welcome our monthly pet therapy visit, featuring the most adorable Bantam miniature chicks. 

These tiny, fluffy visitors made their way gently around the home, bringing warmth, comfort, and plenty of smiles along with them. Residents thoroughly enjoyed the experience, with many taking the opportunity to hold and interact with the chicks. The visit not only sparked meaningful conversations about Easter and springtime but also provided sensory engagement and uplifting emotional benefits. Moments like these highlight the importance of creating enriching, joyful experiences within our home. We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our pet therapy partners and look forward to many more heart-warming visits in the months ahead.