Activities at Laurel Bank Care Home

Lighting up Laurel Bank has come around even bigger and better this year and the community came together to see the home’s Christmas lights switched on. Staff and residents at Barchester’s Laurel Bank care home, in Lancaster, got in the Christmas spirit by inviting the community to come and join in with staff and residents who all gathered in the home’s garden for the occasion. There was mulled wine, hot chocolate, mince pies, all freshly prepared by our chef Melvin to keep everyone warm.  The Christmas tree and all the lights looked amazing when Golfer Gary Wolstenholme flicked the switch for the big reveal. We had the Gospel Peace choir sing all the Christmas carols beautifully, all organised by Adewale who works at Laurel Bank

Last summer, the Lower School helped Laurel Bank, set up a small vegetable plot. You might remember hearing about them planting carrots, parsnips, beetroot and other vegetables. The children returned to take part in the harvest. Although the carrots were less successful, the children pulled up handfuls of delicious looking parsnips and beetroot. These were carried back to their school, where some were set aside for children to take home for their evening meal, and the rest taken to the kitchen to be scrubbed.

Staff at Laurel Bank took part in the first of Laurel Bank bake off 2023. There was a delicious variety from chocolate brownies to pumpkin bites we have some very talented bakers here at Laurel Bank. A huge congratulations to the winners of our Laurel Bank Bake Off! The first prize went to Tracey who made the best chocolate brownies ever.

The biggest thank you to all of our bakers who got involved! We're so proud of everyone pulling together and having some fun, and our residents definitely enjoyed themselves and their sweet treats!

Our residents were treated to a fascinating virtual session led by Lauren Collier, Head of Interpretation for the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, about life in and around the Ironbridge Gorge at the start of the Industrial Revolution.

In her talk, Lauren explored the events which took place in the Ironbridge Gorge and discussed the history of this globally important area by exploring the lives of the people who worked in the industries of the Gorge, delving into the fascinating histories of the iron and ceramic industries as well as the activities which supported them, such as mining and the river trade.

Laurel Bank residents enjoyed an afternoon with a mobile zoo full of cute and crawly animals. Residents enjoyed looking and holding centipedes, snakes, African snails and cute chic’s only days old. Children from the community were also invited to join in on all the fun as it was the holidays it was such a fantastic afternoon.

Staff and residents at Laurel Bank care home in Lancaster recreated the atmosphere of the Notting Hill Carnival by decorating their gardens and having their own carnival extravaganza complete with international dress and a fantastic buffet courtesy of the home’s head chef, Grant Prichard.  Staff and residents were joined by family and friends and everyone had a fantastic time experiencing foods from around the world.  In honour of the event, the home decided to create its own carnival with international dress created by the staff and the residents loved the idea. There was a magician for the children and lots of outdoor games for everyone to enjoy.