Celebrating life at Barchester

We enjoyed celebrating with Beryl and Alan already this year for their January birthday's. 

Both residents enjoyed rousing singing from the staff and sharing their cakes with their fellow residents 

We had a lovely party with entertainment from the lovely duo, Serenade. 

We sang, danced and toasted the New Year in altogether. 

What a fantastic day we had celebrating a Day in the Philippines as part of our Around the World project. The team spirit was incredible, and our wonderful Philippines’ community came together to give our residents a truly memorable experience.

We began with a themed lunch prepared by the brilliant brothers, John and Jerome, and overseen by our chef to ensure all dietary requirements and food policies were met in line with Barchester standards. Our residents enjoyed a delicious menu featuring a starter of Tinola soup and Lumpia (spring rolls), followed by mains of Chicken Adobo and Beef Caldereta, served with either boiled or fried rice. To finish, we indulged in Champorado, a comforting chocolate rice pudding. The food was a big hit, with many compliments from residents, including one of our Singaporean ladies who told us Asian cuisine is her absolute favourite.

We then explored Philippines’ culture through an engaging and informative talk by our much-loved nurse, Angie- well known for her fabulous sense of style- who went above and beyond by bringing in traditional outfits for staff to wear and present to residents. In the spirit of inclusivity, our team also visited residents in their rooms, bringing the colour and beauty of Philippines’ fashion right to their doors. Angie later led a captivating session that took us on a personal journey through the culture and sharing stories through music that truly brought the Philippines to life.

In the afternoon, our residents enjoyed armchair travel videos, discovering the breath-taking landscapes and most famous places across the Philippines, from stunning beaches to vibrant cityscapes.

It was a day filled with joy, smiles, and a wonderful sense of Philippines’ warmth that our residents felt throughout. 

We’re absolutely over the moon to share that our very own Aga has been crowned National Activities Coordinator of the Year at the Barchester Care Awards 2025.

Aga has poured her heart into life at Glenroyd, creating meaningful experiences for our residents every single day, and we couldn’t be prouder to see her talent and dedication recognised on the biggest stage.

With more than 5,250 nominations received from across Barchester’s 268 care homes and private hospitals, the standard this year was exceptional. Aga’s national win, announced at the awards ceremony, is a testament to her creativity, compassion and commitment to making every moment count for our residents and their families.

Aga said: “I am absolutely thrilled. This recognition means a great deal to me personally and professionally, and to everyone at Glenroyd. It would not have been possible without true teamwork. I’m fortunate to work alongside Karen, our Activities Assistant, whose support completes our department, as well as the wider team and the strong relationships we share with our residents and their families. This award belongs to all of them, and I only wish I could share it with each person who has contributed.”

Our General Manager, Yvonne Hand, summed it up perfectly: “This is a remarkable achievement, and everyone at the home is incredibly proud of Aga. She consistently goes above and beyond for our residents, putting her heart and soul into everything she does. This recognition is thoroughly well deserved.”

We also want to give a special mention to Mark, our divisional winner for Chef of the Year, whose passion and skill shine through every day. Congratulations, Aga- you make Glenroyd proud, and we’re so lucky to have you.

We had a truly special day as we celebrated Oktoberfest with a German‑themed day at Glenroyd.

Originating in Munich in 1810 to mark a royal wedding, Oktoberfest is now enjoyed each year from late September to early October, with lively brass bands, Bavarian folk costumes, bustling beer tents and classic treats like pretzels. We brought a taste of that festive spirit to Glenroyd, and the smiles said it all.

Our residents explored German culture through armchair travel videos, taking in some of the most popular sites across Germany, and delved into the country’s rich history and heritage with Oomph! activity books.

There were plenty of hearty “Prost!” as we raised a glass during a German beer tasting and tucked into freshly baked pretzels. Peter, one of our residents, summed it up perfectly: “It was wonderful to ‘visit’ places that are so close to my heart, even if only virtually. It’s been a truly lovely day.”

It’s been wonderful discovering another country on our ‘Around the World’ map, and we’re already looking forward to many more cultural adventures together.

What a wonderful time we’ve had at Glenroyd, soaking up the magic of the World Fireworks Championship in Blackpool!

Our gentlemen headed out for the India display, and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect along the Promenade. Our gentlemen enjoyed their favourite beers and tasty refreshments prepared by our amazing hospitality team. There was laughter, smiles, and plenty of “oohs” and “aahs” as each firework lit up the night sky.

The following night it was the ladies’ turn with a “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” theme. We had the tunes on, sang our hearts out to the best female anthems, and waited in our Illuminations-ready minibus- headbands on, a glass of wine in hand, and spirits high. With the door open and voices loud, our ladies soon had people around us singing along and cheering. When Ukraine’s much-anticipated display began, it absolutely delivered. What a show! The vibes were pure joy and our ladies had the best night out.

Here’s to more adventures together and making happy memories for everyone at Glenroyd.

We welcomed the lovely children from West Park Kindergarten for an intergenerational visit in our garden- and it was simply wonderful!

We began with some autumn-themed colouring, but it wasn’t long before the giggles took over with beanbag toss games and plenty of dancing to favourite nursery rhymes. We even brought out the colourful parachute, which was a big hit with both the children and our residents!

Beyond the fun, visits like these make a real difference. Time spent with children lifts spirits and eases loneliness, encourages gentle movement and coordination through play, and sparks conversation, music and memories that keep minds active. Our residents tell us they feel a renewed sense of purpose and belonging after these afternoons, while the children grow in confidence, empathy and respect for older generations.

It was an afternoon full of smiles, helping hands and meaningful connections.

Our residents had a brilliant time celebrating the National Day of Arts in Care Homes with a V&A Virtual Make-along, led by Holly from the V&A Learning team and designer-artist Rafin Jannat.

Inspired by the stunning South Asia Gallery at the V&A, we experimented with paints and pigments made from everyday ingredients and created our very own works of art. The creativity, colour and conversation flowing around the room were simply wonderful.

A huge thank you to the V&A team for such an inspiring session- we’re still buzzing with ideas!

Here’s to more art, more colour and more creativity at Glenroyd!

we were privileged to make our annual journey to the magnificent York Minster for the Christmas Carol Service. A tradition that means so much to us all. The beauty of the Minster, with its towering arches and peaceful glow, was breath-taking as always. As we walked through the charming streets of York, the Christmas lights shimmered brightly, reflecting off the rain-soaked cobblestones. Even though it was pouring with rain, nothing could dampen our spirits; in fact, the contrast between the wild weather outside and the warm welcome inside made the experience feel even more magical.

Together, we soaked up every moment: the stunning music, the outstanding choir, and the chance to join in with so many cherished carols. Hearing our residents’ voices blend with the choir and the congregation felt truly heartwarming.

For us, this isn’t just an outing, it’s a moment of connection, reflection, and festive joy. We are genuinely privileged to be able to share experiences like this, to witness the happiness on our residents’ faces, and to help them continue traditions that matter deeply.