Celebrating life at Barchester

Lovely having residents, who love singing come together and start a little choir. We sing hymns and songs that mean a lot to everyone. Perfect having big words and the tunes playing on our life size activities table as well as words printed on paper. Residents family and friends are more than welcome to join us!      

This month, we took some of our residents to Hamerton Zoo Park. It was a warm, sunny day, and we had the wonderful opportunity to see a wide variety of exotic animals up close, many of them for the very first time! We were amazed by the beautiful birds, flamingos, camels, and even a tiger. The Park was surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful natural scenery, making it a truly lovely day out for everyone to enjoy. Our residents love nature and have a real passion for the world of birds. 

Having the opportunity to see so many different species, including some rare and beautiful ones, filled their hearts with joy. We returned home with wonderful memories, and we are sure that we will be visiting again very soon!      

Weekends are the perfect opportunity to get creative with some autumn crafts and baking. Our residents enjoyed making autumn-themed stencil craft drawings, while others got busy in the kitchen baking delicious shortbread biscuits and decorating Halloween pumpkin biscuits for fun. These were  all enjoyed with a lovely cuppa! One resident said: “I love autumn, it's my favourite season. 

The weather isn’t too cold to go on walks and I love seeing all the colours of the leaves all changing”. Another resident said “I love the smell of Autumn cooking. All the spices really awaken your senses and it reminds me that Christmas is around the corner”.      

At Challoner House Nursing Home, the Dining Room filled with energy as Mike, our Resident Ambassador, and David's fellow resident, and self-appointed grandmasters of the tiles, took the lead in a lively afternoon game of dominoes. Sitting proudly at the table, they expertly shuffled the facedown pieces with warm smiles. Mike called out the first double, instantly sparking a sense of friendly competition and camaraderie among his fellow residents. 

The rhythmic, satisfying click of matching tiles filled the room, punctuated by bursts of laughter and light-hearted banter as Mike and David coached a few neighbours on their strategies. More than just a simple pastime, Mike and David's impromptu tournament brought everyone together, filling the afternoon with sharp focus, shared nostalgia, and the vibrant sense of community that makes life at Challoner House so special.         

Today we welcomed back the singing sensation Sarah Hobbs. Sarah started off our singing along with some old-time musical classics before getting us all moving with some Hand Jiving Rock and Roll Songs. Our residents love to see Sarah. She is always so upbeat and interactive, singing and dancing with them. 

One resident, Ken, especially loved to see Sarah as the both belonged to the same local choir. Sarah comes along to sing with the residents at Challoner House every few months, and we look forward to seeing her again very soon.     

The residents, relatives and staff at Challoner House all had great fun celebrating this fun-themed day, dressing up and decorating the dining room ready for the amazing performance by The Steam Town Shanty Crew who sang us through some tow-tapping thigh-slapping shanty classics.           

At Challoner House, we love to celebrate every possible themed day as well as our traditional celebrations, it brings cheer and laughter around the home brightening up everyone's day.  

International Talk Like a Pirate Day is a parodic holiday created in 1995 by John Bauer and Mark Summers of Albany, Oregon, who proclaimed September 19 each year as the day when everyone in the world should talk like a pirate (that is, in English with a stereotypical West Country accent). The holiday resulted from a sports injury. During a racquetball game between Summers and Baur, one of them, in pain, said, "Aaarrr!" and the idea was born. The game took place on June 6, 1995, but out of respect for the observance of the Normandy landings, they chose Summers's ex-wife's birthday, as it would be easy for him to remember. At first, an inside joke between two friends, the holiday gained exposure when Baur and Summers sent a letter about their invented holiday to the American syndicated humour columnist Dave Barry in 2002. Barry liked the idea and promoted the day and later appeared in a cameo in their "Drunken Sailor" Sing Along A-Go-Go video. Michigan filk musician Tom Smith wrote the original "Talk Like a Pirate Day" song in 2003.

Gorgeous Cara the golden retriever brightened everyone’s day when she came to visit this week, just like she always does!   

Two fabulous trips out for our residents to spend important time with their loved ones outside the home. One was to meet his wife at a local café and enjoy refreshments and one was to meet his wife and son at our local national trust and spend quality time together added bonus the sun was shining for them.       

All involved had a fantastic time and said how much it meant to them to enjoy time away from the care home and share experiences.   

We are delighted to announce the well-deserved promotion of Toni Marie Arana our clinical Deputy Manager, to General Manager here at Winchester House.

Toni has worked very hard, and her dedication and commitment has shone through and has now been recognised within the company.

Toni is a very warm and compassionate manager, who will always support and listen to her teams, and is there to lend a hand when someone needs her.

We want to wish you ever success in your new position. She absolutely deserved this promotion.

Congratulations from all at Winchester House.