Activities at Marnel Lodge Care Home
Activities are the cornerstone of a wholesome home experience and our Activities Coordinators are always putting their creative minds to the test by organising new and exciting social events for residents to partake in. Of course, we take into account the likes and dislikes of those we support, so if someone doesn’t feel like trying something new, there will always be something on offer to reflect their personal interests. For the people who may just prefer some peace and quiet instead, we also offer one-to-one time that can be enjoyed with a nice cup of coffee or just a simple chat – whatever they desire.
Sarah Yarney
I have worked with the elderly for more than forty years in various roles, gaining varied knowledge and experience. I have been a relative at Marnel Lodge for ten years and worked as an admin assistant for a year and a half. I have now taken on the exciting role of Activities Coordinator at Marnel Lodge and I am looking forward to working with the residents, families and the Marnel team to start some new activities and adventures.
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 Marnel Lodge Care Home
Celebrating our nurses at Marnel Lodge
We marked International Nurses Day with a heartfelt celebration of the incredible nursing team here at Marnel Lodge Care Home.
Residents created beautiful handmade cards filled with personal messages, and our kitchen team cooked up a special treat to say thank you. Each nurse also received a small gift, but it was the love and gratitude behind it all that truly made the day special.
One resident, Joan, summed it up perfectly: “The nurses here feel like family—they look after us so well.”
Gardening club update
A big thank you to Jeanne, our wonderful volunteer, for her generous donation of plants to our gardening club! She kindly provided tomatoes, peas, red and white onions, and a lovely selection of herbs. Jeanne mentioned she would have brought even more, but space is currently limited — so the veggies are sharing their raised bed with the fruit for now, until the rest of the beds are ready.
We have also sown some carrot seeds, and several residents got stuck in helping to build a frame to support the fruit netting. The netting is doing a vital job protecting our fruit bushes from hungry insects and birds.
It’s been wonderful to see everyone getting involved — here’s to a bountiful and colourful season ahead!
A special evening out for Ian
Phil—one of our wonderful volunteers at Marnel Lodge Care Home—accompanied resident Ian to An Evening with Simon Reeve: To the Ends of the Earth at The Anvil Theatre.
Ian had spotted the event on a previous visit and expressed a keen interest in attending. Thanks to our dedicated Activities Team, tickets and transport were arranged for both gentlemen to enjoy the show.
Ian shared that it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening—and we hear there may have been a favourite tipple involved during the interval too!
At Marnel Lodge, we love creating opportunities that are personal and meaningful. If your loved one has a special wish or interest, please let our Activities Team know—we’ll always do our best to make it happen.
Another Memorable Canal Boat Trip for the Gents of Marnel Lodge
Our latest canal boat outing was a great success – this time it was the gentlemen's turn to enjoy a relaxing cruise from Odiham towards Winchfield.
With calm waters and beautiful scenery, the trip offered the perfect setting for a leisurely afternoon. Chef treated everyone to warm Cornish pasties, which were happily washed down with cold beers and refreshing juices. Barry, our knowledgeable volunteer skipper, shared fascinating facts about the boat and the history of the canal. The residents were full of curiosity, asking plenty of questions and keeping the conversation flowing throughout the journey.
The gents returned with big smiles and said how much they had enjoyed the day – a truly uplifting experience for all involved.
Marnel Lodge Residents Visit Basingstoke College of Technology Basingstoke College of Technology
The afternoon was absolutely amazing as a group of residents from Marnel Lodge enjoyed a special visit to Basingstoke College of Technology. We received a warm welcome from Fi, the staff, and the students, who all went out of their way to make the experience memorable.
The ladies particularly loved their time in the college hair salon, where they were pampered and had their hair done beautifully. We were then treated to a delightful afternoon tea, joined by none other than Anthony Bravo, the Principal of the college. He spoke warmly about the value of students connecting with and giving back to the community.
The sandwiches were lovely, and the cakes were simply divine. Following tea, we joined the Health and Social Care students for a fun session of games, which had everyone smiling and laughing. Fi thanked us for attending and shared how valuable the afternoon had been for the students as a learning experience. She called it a great learning curve and appreciated our patience as the event was a first for them. We felt the whole afternoon was a brilliant success.
Fortnightly trip to Lenny's Dementia Cafe
On Thursday mornings, residents from Marnel Lodge Care Home enjoyed a heart-warming visit to Lenny’s Dementia Café, where they were joined by Mark, the vicar of St Leonard’s Church.
This wonderful initiative, run entirely by trained volunteers, offers a welcoming and supportive environment for people living with dementia and their carers. It's a place to relax, share experiences, and connect with others in similar circumstances – and it’s completely free of charge.
Our residents always come away feeling uplifted and valued. During the morning, they enjoyed reminiscing, playing dominoes, decorating cakes, and even taking a gentle stroll around the beautiful grounds with support. As always, we were treated to lovely refreshments and made to feel truly welcome.
