Activities at Elm Bank Care Home

The residents and staff were delighted in attending the local St Thomas More Catholic Primary School to celebrate a beautiful Pentecost Service held in the school hall.

It was a warmly embraced service by the residents, as they returned to the school hall for the afternoon. Pentecost, meaning "fiftieth" in Greek, is a Christian holy day that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ, as described in the Book of Acts. It is celebrated 50 days after Easter and marks the birth of the Church and the beginning of its mission. It was wonderful to see the children who had worked so hard in creating what was a lovely service.

Resident Beryl said, "It was a beautiful service, the singing was lovely, and my daughter was once a teacher at the school, I was once a teacher many years ago now."

Tina, Activities Co-ordinator said, “It was lovely that the local school opened their doors to us to let us enjoy the service with them. It means so much to the residents, it allows for the young and the old to mix and the wonderful experiences are shared.  The residents were very engaged, singing to the songs and full of smiles throughout. Days like these are very important to our residents and as well as the religious meaning of the afternoon, it is also important to have intergenerational activities. It is crucial to create links with our local schools and within the community to continue for our residents to remain a part of the community.”

What an amazing afternoon of music with singer Devon and her puppet Bella, who delighted the residents on the dementia community.

We all know the impact music can have on a person’s mental wellbeing, the residents at Elm Bank, are always keen to have fun with musical entertainers in. An afternoon of pure joy was had by all on the Dementia community, as Devon with her puppet Bella sang and engaged with all. Each song got everyone testing out their singing and their feet moving to old classics and new surprises. It was just simply amazing to see how music lifted the spirits of the residents and created joy for all that allowed for all residents to reminisce on memories past.

Devon said, “It was great to come and sing for everyone, the residents really got engaged and it was just lovely to hear them sing and watch them dance. Bella my puppet certainly worked her magic on everyone, just a fun packed afternoon. I cannot wait to come to come back again.”

Marvellous Bindura, General Manager said, "Music is so important to many of our residents and helps are residents in many ways, it is lovely to see the residents engaged and joining in with songs and dancing, the puppet was a delight”.  

The residents and staff are always delighted in attending the local ‘Dementia Sings Out’ group. The group is held every Thursday at the Compass Church in Wellingborough and the residents have been attending the group for almost a year.

The group is a community choir that meets every week for those living with dementia, and for their carers, to sing songs that are not only uplifting but also inspirational. It is lovely for the residents and staff of the home to enjoy the music and songs from Gareth Fuller, who certainly has all up on their feet dancing and singing. As always the morning is enjoyable for all that attend, for people to simply let their hair down and immerse themselves in the wonderful group that make them feel so welcome. The volunteers at the group certainly make the morning extra special, Elm Banks residents and staff will definitely be returning weekly for more fun.

Tina, Activities Coordinator said, “We have been coming to this truly amazing venue for a year now and every time we have attended we can really see what a difference it makes to our residents. It is such a warm and welcoming place and with the volunteers who are full of smiles and ready to help, I can honestly say that our residents really enjoy attending, and so do we!.”

Marvellous Bindura, General Manager said, “It is lovely to see our residents and staff enjoying another morning with ‘Dementia sings Out’, the enrichment this group creates in the lives of all living with dementia is recognisable. It is very important to have links with local groups, it not only allows for good community relationship, but also the impact these groups have on residents here at the home is truly amazing”.

Elm Bank marked the 81st Anniversary of D-Day by having an afternoon of music from the fabulous D-Day Dollies. The residents enjoyed the beautiful songs of the past, with eyes closed and deep in thought about what the day meant to them.

Residents reminisced about their memories of that time, sharing stories and enjoying each other’s company whilst listening to the wonderful live performance. For many residents it was a time in their lives that meant so much, being able to share the stories was important to all.

Marvellous Bindura, General Manager at Elm Bank said: “Many of our residents can remember the time around D-Day, and sharing thoughts with each other was a beautiful experience, the music was amazing, and it certainly got everyone singing.”

Residents at Elm Bank said, “It was an important day for many off us, it was wonderful, the music was simply the best, the D-Dollies sang all the songs we loved back in the day and still do, simply perfect, a lovely afternoon.” 

The residents got their sun hats on, sun cream on and tucked in to a spectacular BBQ lunch cooked up by the homes talented chefs.

Everyone loves a good old BBQ and it was the perfect weather for all to enjoy the warm sun and the homes beautiful gardens. The chefs lit the BBQ and cooked up what was truly an amazing lunch for all the residents. The mood was relaxed, with music playing in the background, the birds singing and the wonderful smell of BBQ food in the air. All of the residents enjoy the wonderful outdoor garden space the home has to offer, and it was simply a joy to be entertained with good food and music in the surroundings.

Tina, Activities Co-ordinator said, “It was a lovely way for us to start the summer off, we have a great team here at the home that work so hard together to ensure that all our residents enjoy the things they love. We make everything all-inclusive and cater for everyone, not everyone wanted to be outside so they enjoyed a BBQ in the comfort of the beautiful dining rooms or their room. Our chefs really did cook up a delicious BBQ”.

Marvellous Bindura, General Manager said, “It is lovely to see our residents enjoying their BBQ lunch in the homes gardens. The sun was out and the birds were singing, it was just great to be out in the fresh air surrounded with the smell of beautiful flowers, and the sound of music and a tasty BBQ lunch. The gardens at the home are beautiful space for all of us to enjoy and we all try to get outside as much as possible throughout the year”.

Staff and residents have been celebrating because their brilliant Regional Directors, Claire Brewer and Isabela Andriuca, from Barchester’s Central Division, have beaten all competition to be crowned Cook Off Champions in the Barchester Charitable Foundation Cook Off 2025.  Not only did they win the Cook Off title but they also scooped the award for the Best Main for their delicious Pan Fried Salmon with fondant potatoes drizzled with a beurre blanc.

Isabela and Claire went head to head with Regional Directors from Barchester’s four other divisions and cooked up a storm to raise over £31,000 for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation which helps connect vulnerable people and those living with a disability to community groups in their local area by providing grants to improve mobility and quality of life.  Each year the Foundation distributes thousands of pounds to individuals, small community groups and charities across England, Scotland and Wales.  In 2024 the Foundation achieved a donation milestone of £335,000 which enabled the charity to provide vital help to 239 small groups and charities, plus 104 individuals in one year alone.

Stepping right out of their comfort zones, Claire and Isabela made a fabulous three course meal for their Cook Off Challenge, plus an afternoon tea item.  They started with Wild Garlic Soup served with a poached egg, followed by Pan Fried Salmon for main and they finished with a Sticky Toffee Bread & Butter Pudding with homemade toffee sauce all of which was very well received by the judging panel made up members of Barchester’s Executive team.

General Manager of Elm Bank care home, Marvellous Bindura, said: “We are all so proud of Isabela and Claire, they really are amazing – is there nothing they can’t do!  Their dishes looked absolutely fantastic and they raised so much for the Foundation, we think they are both absolute super stars!