Activities at Broadway Halls Care Home

The residents were offered a nice hot drink and a biscuit upon visiting Bramford Primary School, which they all enjoyed!

The students, aged 6 to 7 years, have been learning about fairytale stories and learnt all the words and actions to The Three Little Pigs and Jack and the Beanstalk, which was brilliant to see and hear.

The residents asked all the students' names, which was lovely. The students had their turn and asked their names and how old they were. The students then read a couple of pages of their own favourite books. Maureen said they were very good at reading for such a young age.

All the residents couldn’t believe how school life has changed so much from their school days and how fabulous it was now with all the equipment and facilities they have to offer.

The students and residents finished off doing arts and crafts and having a good old natter.

Thank you to the teachers for letting us visit and what well-behaved students you have at the school.

A silent disco is a fantastic way to engage residents, especially those with dementia or mobility challenges. It allows them to enjoy music at their preferred volume without overwhelming noise, and it can bring back memories, encourage movement, and boost moods.

Thank you to Sutton school for joining us for this special event, and thank you, Frankie, for DJ-ing and giving up his spare time to help. The pupils from Sutton School chose their favourite songs from the 2000s to the present date. The residents choose their favourite song or artists from the 1950s and 1960s.

The residents and pupils swapped channels to listen to each other’s favourite songs. It was nice to see everyone singing and dancing. 

A resident said, “It’s been an exciting experience and I wouldn’t have dreamed of doing this in my life, but I have had a great time singing and dancing and watching the students singing and dancing to their songs. Hope we can do this again, it was brilliant!”

We are pleased to announce that our talented hospitality team, led by Head Chef Olivia Riese have been named the winners of the annual Barchester Christmas Cake competition for the North West & Midlands Division.   

Each year hospitality teams from Barchester homes and hospitals up and down the country compete for the coveted Christmas Cake of the Year title.  The competition is run by the central hospitality team and the bar is set very high. Many of Barchester’s chefs are trained in patisserie and the Christmas cake designs are very elaborate and highly technical.  Competition is fierce and only the very best recipes and designs will prevail.

The hospitality team put their heads together and donned their aprons to come up with the most amazing Christmas cake decorated to perfection.  Their fabulous cake is a two-tiered design featuring iconic festive characters and decorated in traditional themed holly and colours.  Inside was a bouncy vanilla sponge, layered with strawberry jam and smooth vanilla butter cream – a firm favourite with the Residents.

Head Chef Olivia, has recently graduated from the Barchester Chef Academy, so this is a testament to the hard work and dedication she brings to her work.

Yesterday we welcomed the assemble of St. James Voices Choir into the home. 

We all gathered to listen to the perfect pitch harmonies of the talented group as they performed Christmas carols for our Residents, staff and relatives. 

We did of course thank them for their festive performance by serving up drinks and Christmas cookies.

Thank you St James Academy - Dudley

We recently welcomed into our home the very talented English actress and singer Sian Reeves, best known for her roles in Cutting It, Emmerdale and Coronation Street.

Sian visited us to launch her charity album ‘Remember This’ in support of the Alzheimer's Society.

Sian’s aim is to visit as many care homes as possible across the country, sharing her music to not only entertain residents but also to help stimulate their minds through the therapeutic power of music.

We all ha an amazing afternoon as Sian sang and interacted with all of the residents and told us about her career and all of the exciting roles she’s played.

The Broadway Halls 'Make a Wish Come True' initiative continues, with a story about the lovely Dorothy and her dream to swim again.

79 year old Dorothy has been a Resident with us since November 23 and is a well loved member of the Broadway Halls family. Dorothy was raised in beautiful Cornwall, and as a young child this is where her affinity with water began.

When Dorothy arrived at Broadway Halls, she could hardly weight bare, but with support from the team and regular physio, we now see her walking the hallways with her frame. This is a testament to her determination to regain her independence, which we wholeheartedly support.

24 years ago was the last time Dorothy had entered the water and with her continuing determination to break barriers, we supported Dorothy to dip her toes in the water once again.

Well done Dorothy!