Activities at Fountains Care Home
We understand that the people we support have passions and interests that could be difficult to pursue after moving into a care home – but that doesn’t mean we don’t encourage them to try! Some hobbies can define a person, so our Activities Coordinators are dedicated to ensuring that everyone we support is able to do what makes them happy to the best of their abilities. Social events are organised with individual tastes in mind and with the idea that residents have the opportunity to try new and exciting things.
Louise Crooks
Hello I am Louise, my first role with Barchester was caring for our residents. Previously I worked in an early years environment for 17 years where I organised activities and events. I am thrilled to now be Activities Lead and being able to continue enriching the life’s of our lovely residents here at Fountains.
Read our brochure 'Life-enriching activities' for more information about life in our care homes.
Read our brochure
Activities and Events Partnerships
As part of our bespoke life-enrichment programmes, we host a number of live virtual events in the home on a regular basis through a number of partnerships with places of interest and world class performance companies
Life at Fountains Care Home
Mozart's Birthday Celebrations
Fountains residents had a wonderful afternoon indulging in a selection of cheese and wine to celebrate Mozart’s Birthday.
We relaxed, socialised and listened to ‘Mozart’s final symphony’ from the BBC Proms. It was a wonderful afternoon and a lovely opportunity to spend time with friends and neighbours.
CQC rating
Fountains are celebrating after receiving a "good" rating in all five areas after an unannounced inspection.
We couldn't be more delighted!
To view the full report please click on "reviews" tab on our website.
International Flower Day
In celebration of International Flower Day Fountains residents had great fun getting into the spirit of the day with a variety of themed activities.
We began with floral themed quizzes and crosswords for those residents that enjoy a challenge.
We then came together for a creative writing session. Our residents love poetry writing so we decided to write our own poem for the occasion.
After a morning of themed fun we spent the afternoon in the café making our own handmade Hyacinth Flower Cards. And the finished results certainly were beautiful.
After a discussion amongst the staff we agreed to gift them to local domiciliary care agencies. As care providers we have all worked tirelessly to support our elderly client group with our purpose being the same, to make a difference.
It was an opportunity to make new relationships as well as build on old ones as well, with a view to working collaboratively to continue to improve lives for our older community in Solihull and surrounding areas.
Our kitchen team wanted to join and made some lovely vanilla cupcakes with a floral theme.
One of our wonderful residents Margaret wanted to share her love of knitting with the community and made some beautiful crochet flower badges.
It was then the job of our Activities Coordinator to head out into the community.
We visited Unique Senior Care, Bright Dawn Home Care, Solihull Home Care, Helping Hands Home Care and our good friends at Home Instead Solihull.
Everyone was delighted with their goody bags and floral themed gifts and were very appreciative of the kindness shown.
Happy International Flower Day everyone!
Burns Night celebrations
Fountains residents had great fun celebrating Burns Night yesterday!
Burns Night is a Scottish celebration to honour the poet Robert Burns and is enjoyed by many, all over the world.
To begin the day our residents enjoyed an art class with our carers making colourful flags to be displayed around the home.
We then relaxed in the cinema room and listened to the Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Our residents loved singing and clapping along.
To end a wonderful day we shared a delicious Scottish spread of Haggis neeps and tatties, poached Scottish salmon, and a yummy dessert of Cranachan - a traditional pudding of raspberries, cream, toasted oats and whiskey. All prepared by our talented kitchen team
Our residents enjoyed sampling some wee drams of whiskey too.
It was a wonderful celebration for us all here at Fountains. We look forward to celebrating Burns Night again next year!
Jeanette Gill awards
We are launching three grants totalling £30,000 in the name of a former Barchester resident, Jeanette Gill, who generously donated part of her legacy to Barchester’s Charitable Foundation. The Foundation is calling for deserving local charities and community groups to apply for these special awards.
Named in her memory, the Jeanette Gill Special Awards are open to groups and individuals in need in our local community, and will be awarded to projects that enrich lives and encourage an active lifestyle through arts, music, sports and culture for older people or adults with a disability, or those that may have challenges with mental health.
There are three awards available:
• £15,000 GOLD AWARD (open to groups)
• £10,000 SILVER AWARD (open to groups)
• £5,000 BRONZE AWARD (open to individuals)
The Foundation is particularly interested in innovative initiatives that tackle isolation and loneliness, and which bring sustained outcomes and positive changes for the people benefitting.
To find out more about how to apply for a Jeanette Gill Award please visit www.bhcfoundation.org.uk. The closing date for applications for this round is 28 February 2022.
A fond farewell
This week we said goodbye to one of our residents Margaret, on her return home.
Margaret joined the Fountains family in September after a stay in hospital. Since living with us Margaret has enjoyed making friends, experiencing a wonderful dining experience with tasty and nutritious meals, receiving excellent care and taking part in a variety of fun activities.
After discussions with her family Margaret decided she was fit and ready to return to her home. A testament to the great care she has received at Fountains, supporting her back to full health so as she can return home to live independently.
Staff joined together to say a fond farewell. We presented Margaret with a beautiful Bonsai Tree which symbolises harmony, peace and balance- all of the things we wish for Margaret’s return home.
Margaret said she has had the most wonderful stay at Fountains and will miss “the friendships and the fun.”
We look forward to keeping in touch with Margaret and we hope to see her again for respite visits.
Upcoming events
May Life Enrichment
We hope to see the end of the April showers and look forward to sunnier days in May. Please come and brighten our day and join us for our May events.
Reminiscence Cafe
Please join us for our monthly Reminiscence Cafe where we will pick a topic and talk about our memories, whilst making new friends and enjoying some refreshments.
Don't Dine Alone
We know meal times can be a lonely time for some people, that's why we're inviting local older people to join us for lunch every Friday from 12.30pm.
Room for Hire
Looking for somewhere to hold your meeting or event? We have a meeting room that is available for free to members of the local community and professionals.
