Activities at Ashlar House Care Home

Our little friends from the local nursery came to visit our residents, dressed as their favourite book characters. 

Together they shared stories, laughter, and plenty of smiles as they read to each other.  It was wonderful to see different generations connecting through the joy of reading. Thank you to the nursery for such a magical visit our residents loved every moment!     

The “Getting to Know Me” board game is a meaningful and engaging group activity designed to encourage residents to share their life stories, interests, and personal memories in a relaxed and supportive environment.        

Once everyone is comfortably seated together, the session begins with a gentle introduction to help residents feel at ease and understand the purpose of the activity. Clear instructions are given, and reassurance is offered to ensure that everyone feels comfortable participating at their own pace.

The game promotes positive social interaction and strengthens relationships among residents. As conversations begin to flow, individuals naturally connect over shared experiences, hobbies, family life, careers, and treasured memories. Discovering common interests often sparks further discussion and laughter, helping to create a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

In addition to supporting social wellbeing, the activity stimulates memory recall and cognitive engagement. Reminiscing encourages residents to reflect on meaningful moments from their past, often bringing back detailed stories that evoke joy and pride. This process can help maintain cognitive skills and promote emotional wellbeing.

Overall, the “Getting to Know Me” board game is a valuable group activity that enhances wellbeing, encourages meaningful connection, and celebrates each resident’s unique life journey.   

What an incredible milestone #50 years of love, partnership, devotion, and shared memories. Graham and Sue, your journey together is a true inspiration to us all, showing what commitment, kindness, and enduring love really look like.

The Ashlar House team, families, and children were honoured to come together to celebrate such a special occasion, with wonderful live entertainment from Tim Arthur setting the perfect tone for the day. It was a celebration filled with warmth, laughter, and genuine affection.

A beautifully personalised cake, thoughtfully prepared platter sandwiches, and celebratory bubbles added a special touch, symbolising the sweetness, care, and joy that have surrounded your 50 years together.

What made the day even more touching was that Ashlar staff, who were off shift, made a special visit to personally share their love and appreciation, a reflection of just how deeply valued and cherished you both are.

Fifty years is not just a number; it is a lifetime of shared dreams, challenges overcome, family moments, and unconditional love. May the years ahead continue to be filled with happiness, good health, and many more treasured memories.

With heartfelt congratulations and love to you both.     

As hearts beat a little softer and smiles linger a little longer, there’s no better place to celebrate romance than Ashlar House.

Step into an ambience thoughtfully prepared to set the perfect mood with warm lights that glow like candlelit promises, elegant décor that whispers intimacy, and an atmosphere designed for connection. Every detail has been carefully curated to create moments that feel timeless, tender, and unforgettable.

Whether it’s a quiet dinner for two, a toast to lasting love, or the beginning of a beautiful new story, Ashlar House is ready to make your Valentine’s celebration truly magical.

Because love deserves a setting as special as the story you share.             

The sound of live music carries a special kind of comfort around the home. Today, music has no fixed setting; it moves freely, filling rooms with gentle entertainment, whether enjoyed quietly or shared among larger groups.

Carl Ann was invited to offer a relaxed musical approach throughout the Ashlar home, allowing melodies to drift naturally through the space. With no microphone and no speakers, just her voice and her laptop, the music felt personal and unforced, creating a calm and intimate atmosphere.

The music could also be enjoyed in the salon, where residents were able to pause, listen, and simply be present with the sound. Live music around the home becomes more than entertainment—it becomes a shared experience that softens the day and brings a sense of peace to everyone who hears it. 

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!     

We embraced the vibrant spirit of Chinese New Year with our exciting Year of the Fire Horse theme!

It was fantastic to welcome new families alongside our regular attendees. Everyone loved seeing the templates come to life, transformed with colour, creativity, and imagination into one beautiful collaborative collage. 

The energy in the room truly reflected the Fire Horse spirit, bold, lively, and full of passion! Thank you to all the families who joined us and made it such a special session.

We can’t wait to share next month’s creative adventure with you! 

What a flipping fantastic afternoon we had celebrating Pancake Day! The room was filled with laughter, sweet aromas, and plenty of pancake flipping fun.

Residents enjoyed delicious warm pancakes topped with all their favourites from fresh fruit and syrup to cream and chocolate treats.

To make the day even more special, we were treated to wonderful live entertainment, adding the perfect touch to a joyful and lively afternoon.

Thank you to everyone who helped make it such a sweet success!    

This certificate is proudly presented to Alex

in recognition of her dedication and commitment during two years of work experience at Ashlar House Care Home.

Throughout her time with us, Alex has shown compassion, professionalism, and a genuine passion for caring for others. Her positive attitude and willingness to learn have made a meaningful impact on both residents and staff.

As she leaves us to begin her degree in medicine in Cambridge, we wish her every success in this exciting next chapter and have no doubt she will achieve great things in her medical career. 

Back in November, we were introduced to the adorable Dashipoo puppies, Jack and Jill, through our amazing pet therapy team. During their visit, one of our staff members instantly fell in love and decided to rehome one of them.

This week, Mochi returned to Ashlar House to visit her extended family. The familiar smells and surroundings made her feel right at home as she joyfully wagged her tail, spreading happiness to the residents. 

A huge thank you to Performing Pets for bringing us together and creating such a heart-warming bond. And a special thanks to Sharon for allowing Mochi to take the lead in our activities and share her joy with everyone. 

These moments truly remind us of the special connections animals bring into our lives.

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.       

Paul took us all back to the 60s and 70s with an incredible afternoon of music. From classics by The Beatles to favourites by Elvis Presley, the room was filled with singing, smiling, and plenty of toe-tapping!

He tailors his performances specially for our residents, and you can truly see the joy on their faces as the memories come flooding back.

The residents absolutely loved it. Thank you, Paul, for bringing the music, the memories, and the magic!    

The rhythm of the week found its groove on Monday afternoon at Ashlar House, as the smooth sounds of jazz filled the air. Residents gathered in the lounge, tapping their feet and swaying gently to the music, ready for their much-loved session with Alex.

From the first warm notes, the atmosphere transformed. Classic jazz standards blended with familiar favourites, creating a soundtrack that sparked memories and smiles. Some residents hummed along, others softly sang, and a few couldn’t resist moving to the beat. The music became more than just a background sound; it was a shared experience that brought everyone together.

Alex’s warm presence and lively performance encouraged participation, with stories and laughter flowing between songs. The session wasn’t just about listening; it was about connection. Residents shared memories of dance halls, favourite artists, and evenings spent enjoying live bands in years gone by.

By the end of the afternoon, spirits were lifted, and the room was buzzing with conversation. Monday Afternoon Jazz has quickly become a highlight of the week at Ashlar House, a time to relax, reminisce, and celebrate the timeless joy of music together.

10th February 2026 dawned with a very special kind of magic, as the home was lovingly prepared to celebrate an extraordinary milestone: Eve’s 100th birthday. The air buzzed with excitement and anticipation as members of Home Instead made their very first visit of the day, popping in before their shifts to shower the birthday girl with warm wishes, smiles, and heartfelt joy.

We had been waiting patiently for a truly royal moment. Thanks to the kindness and dedication of Salim Kasab at the Royal Mail Delivery Office in Epping, the birthday card from His Majesty King Charles III was carefully watched over and safely delivered to the home. It waited there, full of meaning, until Eve’s son Barry could present it to his mum — a once-in-a-lifetime moment filled with pride and emotion. Thank you, Salim, for your support and for the honour of seeing Eve in person on such a remarkable day.

Adding to the celebration, we were delighted to welcome our Guest of Honour, Town Mayor Janet Whitehouse, who arrived with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, bringing grace and warmth to the occasion. Our little friends from Brighton Horizons also joined the festivities, proudly presenting Eve with a lovingly handcrafted birthday card that melted hearts all around.

Glasses were raised in celebration of a century well lived, laughter filled the room, and sweet treats — Pick n Mix for the little ones — added the perfect finishing touch.

A day wrapped in love, community, and magic… and a birthday that will be treasured forever.

Our monthly pet therapy visit to Ashlar House is always a truly mesmerising experience. Each visit fills the home with smiles, laughter, and moments of pure joy for both our residents, families and staff.

This month was especially memorable as our wonderful performing pets paid us a visit, including the most adorable 4-month-old miniature flop-eared rabbit. Watching our residents connect, cuddle, and light up in the presence of these gentle animals was incredibly touching.

I, Rita, had the pleasure of capturing these precious moments, and each photo tells a beautiful story of comfort, companionship, and happiness. These are the moments that remind us how powerful animal therapy can be — enriching lives, lifting spirits, and creating lasting memories.

A truly special day at Ashlar House.