Activities at Hurstwood View Care Home

Staff at Hurstwood View Care Home in Uckfield swapped their uniforms for costumes on National Elf Day in an effort to raise funds to help people living with dementia.

Launched by the Alzheimer’s Society and delivered direct from the North Pole, Elf Day was created to sprinkle some festive cheer on fundraising towards finding a cure for dementia. From stripy socks to head-to-toe elf outfits, anything goes – there’s snow better way to raise money to help beat dementia.

Residents and staff at Hurstwood View were able to enjoy an action packed day with a best-dressed elf competition and a party in the afternoon with their sister homes Lydfords care home and Dudwell St Mary care home.  All enjoyed some festive fizz, Christmas music and lots of cheese!  Everyone enjoyed the tombola with great prizes won.  The home has so far managed to raise approximately £300 towards the cause and still fundraising.

A resident of the home said: “It is always a very festive day and the staff always make us laugh in their costumes. What a wonderful way to raise money for charity!”

Kirsty Heaver, General Manager at Hurstwood View and head elf, said: “Elf Day at Hurstwood View is always a lot of fun and we are home to some of the most unusual elves I have ever seen! We know first-hand that many people, including a good number of our residents, are living with some form of Alzheimer’s. That’s why raising money to support dementia charities is dear to our hearts and we’re always so keen to get involved.  We’re proud that the money we’ve raised will go towards such a good cause.

There was huge excitement at Hurstwood View care home as Santa came by to visit the residents ahead of their big night delivering presents on Christmas Eve.

Staff and residents at Barchester’s Hurstwood View care home, in Uckfield, along with children from the local community had a wonderful time.  Lots of children came by to visit Santa and his elves and enjoyed plenty of cakes and a hot chocolate.  Ensuring no one was missed out, Santa even visited the residents in their rooms to wish them a Merry Christmas. 

General Manager, Kirsty Heaver, said: “We had the best time with Santa.  The home was filled with so much happiness and laughter.”

Barchester’s Hurstwood View care home, in Five Ash Down, was a den of ghoulish activity as the home’s spooky Halloween Disco got in to full swing.

Residents and staff got in to the spirit of things by decorating the home, icing spooky biscuits and cupcakes prepared by the home’s chef - all in preparation for a themed Halloween disco night. The local community’s children were invited in to trick or treat, with more than 50 attending!

General Manager, Kirsty Heaver cackled: “Our staff and residents love any excuse for a party!  The home looks fantastic with all the decorations and our head chef did us proud with lots of spooky treats – we’ve all had a brilliant time.”

Pat, resident at Hurstwood View said: “It has been such a fun day. It was wonderful to see everyone go to so much effort to get into the Halloween spirit. I really enjoyed seeing all the local children visit, their costumes were fabulous!

What a wonderful afternoon we have all had today. Cheese, wine and a good sing-a-long and dance to Frank Sinatra and Elvis along with lots of laughter.

Hurstwood View in Five Ash Down was invited to celebrate the 2nd birthday of Ridgewood Village Hall where they hold a monthly lunch club for the local community which is run by volunteers and sponsored by many local .businesses.   

The local community, volunteers and sponsors were invited to join the celebrations. Food and drinks were provided along with Marco the magician who performed his magic at the tables.

General Manager at Hurstwood View care home, said: “It has been a pleasure to sponsor live entertainment and provide cakes for this fantastic lunch club. Ridgewood Village hall’s lunch club has become a hub of the community and helped form friendships and avoid isolation. A lady at the club said: “We are so thankful to all our sponsors and volunteers that support the lunch club as it’s such an important part of my week.”

We had such a wonderful afternoon hosting birthday celebrations for our lovely resident, Pat, and 22 of her family members. These moments are so special, and we’re really honoured to make them possible for everyone involved. To us this is what delivering person centred care is all about. Thank you to our wonderful Kitchen team for sandwiches, cakes and scones – they were delicious!

Happiest of Birthdays, Pat. We know from your ear to ear smiles, you’ve had a wonderful time.