Activities at Ashlar House Care Home

Our recent Summer Fête at Ashlar House was a roaring success, filled with fun, flair, and fabulous 1920s style! Residents, families and staff dressed to impress, bringing the glamour and spirit of the Jazz Age to life.

The dance floor lit up with Charleston moves, while beautifully displayed food and indulgent desserts added extra joy to the day. Our raffle was a crowd favourite, no one went home empty-handed!

A huge thank you to #EppingBeautyClinic for their generous donation of a free facial, set in their stunning beauty clinic. What a treat for our lucky winner!

We were also honoured to welcome Christine Burgess, former Mayor and current Secretary of the Epping Rotarians. It was a pleasure to have her celebrate with us.

A big shout-out goes to Amelia Jessica Green, daughter of our Activities Leader, for her fantastic work in organising the raffle. Your efforts made it extra special!

To top it all off, the event vibes were lifted even higher thanks to Claire from Creative Mojo, who added artistic flair to the day, and Paul, our live entertainer, who kept everyone smiling, singing, and dancing. 

At Ashlar House, we are committed to creating a warm, engaging, and enriching environment for our residents. One of the ways we do this is by embracing today’s technology to support wellbeing, entertainment, and connection.

Residents are gently encouraged to explore and enjoy modern devices in ways that feel comfortable and meaningful to them. iPads are shared amongst residents in communal areas and rooms, offering access to a variety of activities tailored to their interests and needs.

Whether it’s listening to soothing Italian or German music, engaging with “Alexa” voice assistant in the dining area, or using applications that stimulate memory and cognitive engagement, our approach is always resident-cantered.

Our Ashlar Bingo residents had a fabulous afternoon playing 4 exciting rounds — taking with them 1st prize for one line, a shiny trophy, and a choice gift to top it off! 

Oh, and did we mention… FULL HOUSE WINNERS too!     

There’s something truly special about the sea; the fresh breeze, the sound of waves, and the sense of calm it brings.

Today, residents from Ashlar House Care Home enjoyed a heart-warming day out with a trip to the beloved Southend Seaside, creating beautiful memories that will be cherished for a long time.

With the sun peeking through the clouds and spirits high, our residents strolled along the seafront, taking in the sights and sounds of the coast. The highlight of the day was a classic fish and chip lunch, enjoyed right by the water, complete with laughter, conversation, and that unmistakable seaside charm.

No trip to the seaside would be complete without a sweet treat, and our residents delighted in creamy, cold ice cream cones to top off the afternoon. It was a simple pleasure, but one that brought so much joy.

These moments are more than just days out, they are opportunities to reconnect, to relive fond memories, and to feel the warmth of companionship. We are so grateful to everyone who helped make the day so special. 

In an effort to ensure all residents feel included and uplifted, room entertainment has been reintroduced for individuals who may have less ability to attend daily group activities. Carly Ann kindly made personalised room visits, singing songs upon request and creating a warm, one-on-one experience for each resident.

These visits offer more than just music they create meaningful, personal moments and bring joy directly to residents’ rooms. For those who may spend more time alone, these visits help break up the day and bring a sense of connection and engagement tailored just for them.

This thoughtful approach to inclusive entertainment reinforces the importance of meeting residents where they are physically and emotionally.  

At Ashlar House, we’re always excited to welcome Performing Pets for their monthly visits, and today’s special guest was none other than Pinkie the Pig!

Pinkie may be little, but she made a big impact! Gently carried in by her handler, she oinked her way into everyone’s hearts, spreading smiles and cheer throughout the home.

These visits do more than just brighten our day. they offer real therapeutic benefits, helping to reduce stress, spark conversations, and lift spirits. 

Residents also enjoyed a bit of animal education, learning fun facts about pigs and how to care for them. Petting and interacting with Pinkie wasn’t just delightful, it was also a wonderful hands-on way to promote empathy and lifelong learning.

A big thank you to Performing Pets for another heart-warming and educational visit. We’re already looking forward to meeting next month’s special guest! 

At Ashlar House, our book club brings residents together on a monthly basis to discuss the latest book selection. These lively gatherings often spark thoughtful conversations and even the occasional book swap, allowing everyone to share their personal reading journeys.

Recently, we were honoured to receive a signed book by Sir William Addison, generously shared through the Loughton and District Historical Society. This special addition inspired engaging discussions as residents exchanged reflections on the book and reminisced about the places and history of Loughton and Epping, landmarks we all know and cherish.

It was a meaningful afternoon filled with shared memories, new insights, and a deep appreciation for both literature and our local heritage.

This morning at Epping Church, the warmth wasn’t just from the tea and coffee it was from the kindness and connection shared by all who gathered. Residents came together to socialise, catch up, and welcome new faces with open arms.

Candles were lit for those who requested, offering a quiet moment of reflection, remembrance, or prayer. It was a touching reminder of the care and compassion that fills our community.

Epping continues to be a place where everyone is known, valued, and embraced. Join us next time we’d love to welcome you!

Begin the day with tranquillity in our Morning Multi-Sensory Yoga session, a gentle blend of movement, sound, and visual serenity designed to soothe the body and calm the mind. Set against a backdrop of breathtaking waterfall views, residents are invited to flow through peaceful yoga poses as soft, relaxing music envelops the space.

Subtle LED lights flicker like candlelight, creating a warm, meditative atmosphere. With each breath, participants are guided to release pain, tension, and worries, letting them drift away like mist over the falls. This immersive, holistic experience awakens the senses and cultivates inner peace a nourishing start to a new day. 

Daphnie the Sensory Dementia Scarecrow is a thoughtful and purposeful creation, designed to raise awareness about dementia while providing comfort and sensory stimulation to those living with the condition. More than just a creative project, Daphnie serves as a symbol of compassion, understanding, and community spirit.

What makes Daphnie truly special is the involvement of our local Knit & Natter group at Ashlar House. Two residents participated in weaving the scarecrow’s arms, adding a personal and heartfelt touch to the project. Their contribution not only enhanced Daphnie’s sensory elements but also fostered meaningful engagement and connection through crafting.

Projects like Daphnie remind us of the power of creativity and community in making a difference one stitch at a time.

What a perfect way to ease into the weekend—an evening filled with fine cheese, a glass of wine, and the warmth of great company. Ashlar residents, families, friends, and staff came together to share laughter, stories, and a few joyful dance moves! 

A feel-good playlist set the mood in the background, creating the perfect atmosphere for relaxation and connection. It was truly a lovely night filled with smiles, music, and memories. Thank you to everyone who made it so special!

To each of you who gives your all, Who lifts us up when we might fall. Your kindness shines, your care runs deep. You soothe our pain, you guard our sleep. You meet each day with strength and grace, a gentle heart, a smiling face. In every task both big and small, you bring such love, you give your all.

At Ashlar House, your light is clear, a steady hand, a voice of cheer.
You go beyond what duty asks, with quiet strength in daily tasks.

Through every shift, through joy and strain, you carry hope, you ease the pain. You are the soul behind the care. A precious gift beyond compare.

Ashlar House was alive with colour and cheer as residents, staff, families, and friends came together to mark Trooping the Colour – a beloved tradition honouring the official birthday of the British Monarch. The celebration was a true reflection of community spirit, royal pride, and unforgettable entertainment.

The star of the afternoon was none other than entertainer Paul Lillie, who delivered a showstopping performance that had everyone singing and smiling. Paul took the stage dressed as some of Britain’s most iconic musical knights, including Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, and Sir Rod Stewart, each costume as dazzling as the last, with matching soundtracks that brought the house down.

But the performance didn’t stop there. With a theatrical twist, Paul also appeared as “King Charlie” a tongue-in-cheek tribute to His Majesty King Charles III, complete with regal attire and royal charm. Needless to say, “King Charlie” was a cut above the rest and left quite the impression!

With flags waving, voices singing, and hearts full of joy, the event was a true celebration of tradition, music, and the magic of shared moments. Ashlar House once again proved that when it comes to bringing people together, they do it in style.

Ashlar House is now six weeks into the pilot of Doccla, an innovative remote monitoring tool aimed at reducing unnecessary hospital admissions. The initiative supports the concept of a “virtual hospital at home,” enabling patients to be closely monitored in the comfort and familiarity of their own surroundings, while still under the clinical oversight of healthcare professionals.

As part of the project, patients receive a Doccla box, which includes a set of monitoring devices and a mobile phone or tablet. With this equipment, patients can regularly share updates on how they’re feeling and record vital signs such as blood pressure, oxygen levels, and heart rate. This information is then reviewed by clinicians, including doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists, who track their progress and intervene if needed.

The Ashlar House team has been actively engaged in the rollout and evaluation of the technology, working closely with the Doccla team to integrate it into day-to-day care. Recently, we were pleased to welcome colleagues from Germany, who visited to observe the system in action and learn from our experience.

A special thank you goes to our resident Gertrude, who generously took part in a live demonstration and helped us showcase the potential of remote monitoring to enhance care and promote independence. 

Ashlar House brought the spirit of Dementia Action Week 2025 to life with a vibrant Dementia Disco! Residents and staff embraced the fun by donning funky glasses and dancing through the decades — from the rocking’ 50s and grooving’ 60s to today’s top hits.

Music is a powerful connector — it gets people moving, and even those with limited mobility light up with smiles, wave their hands, sing along, and often show pure joy in their eyes. 

For our residents, music sparked treasured memories, heartfelt connections, and pure happiness. Best of all, families couldn’t help but join in the fun!

From singing along with Elvis to dancing to today’s beats, it was a heart-warming celebration of life, community, and the enduring magic of music.