Celebrating life at Barchester

Staff and residents at Mortain Place care home in Eastbourne are celebrating because their fabulous Managing Director, Michelle Macadangdang, from Barchester’s South East Division, is stepping out of her comfort zone to compete for culinary supremacy in the Barchester Charitable Foundation Cook Off 2026.

Swapping their business suits for chefs’ whites, Michelle and her fellow Managing Directors from Barchester’s five divisions are going head to head with members of Barchester’s Executive team to cook up a storm and raise vital funds for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation.

The Charitable Foundation helps connect vulnerable people and those living with a disability to community groups in their local area by providing grants to improve mobility and quality of life.  Each year the Foundation distributes thousands of pounds to individuals, small community groups and charities across England, Scotland and Wales.  In 2025 the Foundation achieved a donation milestone of £424,000 which enabled the charity to provide vital help to a staggering 262 small groups and charities, plus 123 individuals in one year alone.

Michelle and the other MDs are keeping their cards very close to their chests regarding what they will be cooking but they have been practising hard.  Michelle comments: “I have to admit I am a little bit nervous about it all but I’m also excited to take part in something so different from my day job.  People that know me, know my cooking skills are somewhat limited but I am extremely competitive and I want to win so I will do my very best, and it is for a very good cause.”

General Manager of Mortain Place care home, Katie Brewster adds: “We are all so proud of Michelle for taking part in this challenge, we know she will give it her absolute best shot!  The Foundation is so close to all of our hearts and the Cook Off will raise vital funds to help so many people, we’re 100% behind her – MDs for the win!   

Staff and residents at Braeburn Lodge welcomed the children from the Carousel Nursery to join them for a morning of intergenerational ‘arts and crafts’ as young and old came together to show their mutual love for all things art and creative.

Victoria, the Activities Co-ordinator at Braeburn Lodge commented: “Our residents love to paint, colour and sketch, so World Art Day is a fantastic excuse for us to get out all our art materials and really get creative and what better way to do this than embracing the joy of art with young and old.”

There has been a special kind of excitement in our home over the past week, thanks to the arrival of our newly hatched ducklings. From the moment they joined us, these tiny bundles of fluff have captured everyone’s hearts  and quickly become part of our daily routine.

Yesterday was an especially memorable day as our residents gathered for the ducklings’ bath time. The room was filled with laughter, gentle splashes, and plenty of smiles as everyone helped care for our newest little members. Watching the ducklings paddle around with curiosity and confidence brought a sense of calm and joy for all of our residents.

Our ducklings are growing fast, and we’re excited to continue watching them explore their world  and to share many more heart-warming moments with our residents along the way.

If you would like to come along to our home and visit our new fluffy friends please call us on 01483 359340!

We had the joy of celebrating Tamil New Year with one of our lovely residents Sri. 
She shared her traditions with us, and we shared the moment with her, complete with delicious marruku and parytham paryinia for everyone to try.

 

We were so touched to discover this beautiful hand-knitted bear left outside our care home by our Warkton WI (Northamptonshire Federation of WIs). His little note says it all:

"I am not lost, but all alone
If I make you smile, take me home
Yours to keep, or give away
To bring you luck along the way"

Our Resident Ambassador; Alice said; "on behalf of everyone here, we truly believe he's found exactly the right home. Claremont Parkway is full of love to give and we've set up a special rota so that everyone here gets to spend time with him in their room and feel the warmth and love that went into every stitch!"
 

Thank you so much to the wonderful members of Warkton WI. This small act of kindness has meant the world to our residents. You are the very best of our community. 

Children from Purley Pre-School and the local community visited us for an Easter Egg Hunt, and we all had a wonderful time. Our residents were delighted to see the children running around and collecting the colourful eggs hidden in the garden.

Dorcas, a resident, said: “I loved taking part in the Easter egg hunt, it was such a lovely idea, and we were so happy to be able to give Easter surprises to all the children. I think the children all had a great time too."    

On Monday 13th April in the evening we got together to have a very enjoyable game of scrabble we paired up with friends and got our thinking caps on to see who could come up with the best word.

Evenings like this are a lovely way for residents to spend time together whilst engaging in some laughter, friendly competition and companionship.

We celebrated Mother's Day in style by inviting families to attend a cream tea held in our bistro! We had a fabulous afternoon filled with cakes, tea and entertainment by Rosie ...., who had everyone up and grooving! 

A big thank you to all the staff who made the afternoon possible. It was so nice to see everyone so happy and dancing the afternoon away!