Celebrating life at Barchester

There was plenty to celebrate at Magnolia Court Care Home this week as our very own Head of Maintenance, Stephen Hughes, was crowned Apprentice of the Year at the prestigious Leaders in Care Awards.

The ceremony took place on Tuesday evening at the Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club, recognising outstanding achievements across the care sector.

Stephen received the award for his hard work, dedication and commitment to developing his skills through the Barchester Property Maintenance Apprenticeship.

As Head of Maintenance, Stephen plays an important role in ensuring Magnolia Court is a safe, comfortable and welcoming home for our residents. But his contribution goes far beyond maintaining the building.

Always friendly, helpful and professional, Stephen is happy to lend a hand wherever needed. Whether assisting residents with their requests or supporting colleagues, nothing is ever too much trouble.

Stephen has worked incredibly hard to develop his knowledge and skills alongside his busy role, making this national recognition all the more special.

Everyone at Magnolia Court is absolutely delighted for Stephen and couldn't be prouder of his achievement.

Congratulations, Stephen! This award is thoroughly deserved, and we thank you for everything you do for our residents, colleagues and home.

Today we were delighted to welcome Making Space, a wonderful local charity based in Leigh Park, to Bere Grove for the first of a series of clay workshops. Residents enjoyed a demonstration on working with clay before creating their own unique candle holders and vases. The session sparked plenty of creativity, laughter, and conversation, with everyone enjoying a well-earned cup of tea halfway through. A huge thank you to the team at Making Space for bringing this fantastic activity to our home. Their work supporting wellbeing, creativity, and community connections makes such a positive difference, and our residents thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I'm sure you'll agree what you see so far. We look forward to welcoming them back soon when our creations have been fired and are ready for the next stage in the process!

We couldn't be more prouder as we celebrate a truly special milestone, our wonderful Senior Healthcare Assistant, Nina, is celebrating her 20th anniversary with us!

For two decades, Nina has poured her love, passion, and unwavering dedication into our home, making a lasting difference in the lives of our residents every single day.

To mark this amazing achievement, our Deputy Manager, Deepak Sharma, congratulated Nina on 20 years of incredible support and presented her with flowers, chocolates, and her official 20-year long-service pin. 
The celebrations took place in our lovely Garden Room, where Nina was joined by her proud colleagues, including some of our other amazing long-serving team members who have been with us for 13, 14 & 15 years!#

Nina thanked everyone for the beautiful surprise gathering and gifts. She also shared how proud she is to have supported and trained so many staff members over the years, helping them build successful careers right here at the home.

Thank you, Nina, for being the heart and soul of Claremont Parkway. Here’s to you and 20 years of wonderful memories!

There is always something to enjoy in the garden at Darcy Gardens, and autumn is a lovely time to look ahead to spring.

This week, residents visited the local garden centre to choose their spring bulbs, including tulips and grape hyacinths. They also admired the autumn displays and the roses. With a little assistance from our team, everyone could join in and take part at their own pace.
Back at Darcy Gardens, residents gathered at the patio tables in the autumn sunshine. Gloves on and compost out, they potted up the bulbs, with plenty of chatter and laughter along the way. Our garden has also had a tidy-up and refresh, with new plants added.
Why gardening matters
•    Fresh air and gentle movement: Time outdoors in natural daylight lifts mood and keeps residents active.
•    Something to look forward to: Planting bulbs means watching for the first shoots of spring.
•    Shared enjoyment: Working side by side encourages conversation and friendship.
•    Memories and skills: Many residents have gardened for years, and sharing that knowledge brings pride and reminiscence.
•    Choice and independence: Residents choose their own bulbs and decide how much they would like to do.
A place to remember
New roses have been planted ready for our Memorial Garden: Jane Austen, Emma, Persuasion and Sense & Sensibility. They will be ready for our Remembrance event on 2nd November, when we remember those no longer with us.
We look forward to sharing photos of the bulbs when they bloom in the spring.
 

Following our Harvest Festival this week, we were delighted to present Hirndean and Clanfield Food Bank with a generous package of donations to help replenish their supplies. The food bank is such a valuable charity, supporting members of our local community when they need it most, and we are proud to be able to play a small part in helping them continue their wonderful work. It was a real pleasure to welcome Liz and show her around our home, as well as contribute to their much-needed stocks. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make our Harvest Festival so special! We look forward to working with the food bank again in the future.