Activities at Cookridge Court Care Home

Staff and residents at Barchester’s Cookridge Court care home in Leeds had a fantastic time celebrating National Chocolate Cake Day on January 27th, surely one of the best days of the year!  

Overseen by head of Activities Laura Marshall, staff and residents whipped up a selection of different chocolate cakes from chocolate logs to cupcakes, chocolate fudge cake and even a Mississippi mud pie.  Once they had cooled, everyone got busy decorating with icing, buttercream, cream & fruit to make some of the most fabulous cakes in town.

Deputy Home Manager, Vicki Foster said: “It wasn’t just the residents that were excited when we found out there was a National Chocolate Cake Day, the eyes of all our staff lit up too – everyone loves chocolate cake and even better when there is a good excuse to eat it!”

Staff and residents at Barchester’s Cookridge Court Care Home in Leeds had a fantastic time hosting a Cheese & Wine afternoon, which was most definitely the most popular activity of the week!

The activities team and Chef, Lindsay Thewlis, got together to source some local cheeses, as well as some more exotic ones, and paired them with all sorts of wines.   The residents had great fun trying different styles of wine with the different cheeses along with relishes, grapes, plus a range of breads, biscuits and crackers.  There was a lot of debate over which flavour combination was best, it was very hard to decide on a winner!

Across our services our residents have enjoyed a wonderful live virtual talk about starlings, one of the UK’s most gregarious birds, hosted by Rachel Dowse from The Royal Parks London.

Rachel examined our long history with this bird and the importance of common species to our lives. Our residents had the opportunity to find out more about the great murmuration and why we need to pay special attention to these beauties before it's too late.

The virtual experience was truly enjoyed by all.

Cookridge Court care home, in Leeds hosted a Magic afternoon, with special guest Rob Hutchinson for family and friends to come along and enjoy as part of the homes Christmas life enrichment programme.

For the first time ever, Cookridge Court welcomed Rob Hutchinson Magic to come and perform an afternoon of Magic for everyone to enjoy. We welcomed family & friends to join in the fun, as we watch some magnificent tricks being performed by Rob. Throughout the afternoon our residents were truly fixated on each trick and thoroughly enjoyed themselves, bringing even more Christmas spirit into the home.

The well-known magician is based in Ripon and his magic tricks have seen Rob perform at both Ripley Castle and Lake Henry, he also travels the county, able to entertain audiences in Ripon, Harrogate, Leeds, York, Selby, Pocklington, Tadcaster, Otley, Thirsk, Skipton and beyond.

Barchester’s Cookridge Court care home, in Leeds got in the Christmas spirit by hosting a Pantomime for all residents, families & friends.  Cookridge Court Care Home got in the full swing, as they welcomed Northeast Producers Ltd who came to perform a magnificent show of Annie. This year we had audience participation, with resident Emily and Senior Care Assistant Emma making their debut and playing a part each. Residents enjoyed a tasty festive treats which were prepared by the home’s chef Lindsay Thewlis.

Residents at Cookridge Care Home in Leeds took part in a week of rituals and customs to celebrate Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, which took place from December 18-26. Family and friends gathered, along with other residents who don’t follow the Jewish faith but wanted to attend the beautiful festival.

Hanukkah commemorates a miraculous Jewish victory over 2,000 years ago. Hanukkah traditions are themed around the long-established rituals and customs that took place at that victory, the most important being the lighting of a Menorah or eight candles each evening to signify the eight days that the festival lasts.