Activities at Meadow Park Care Home

To celebrate National Vegetarian Week, staff and residents at Barchester’s Meadow Park care home in Bedlington were treated to an interactive virtual cookery demo courtesy of chef, Alex Connell, from Vegetarian for Life.

Alex says “It was an absolute pleasure to be able to prepare these dishes for the Barchester residents and even more so because they got to taste them, despite my not being able to be there in person. Thanks to all the chefs in Barchester homes across the country who supported me to deliver this really lovely activity.”

Staff and residents at Barchester’s Meadow Park care home in Bedlington were treated to an armchair work out courtesy of the Green Goddess, Diana Moran, and Shackleton’s furniture company, followed by a mindfulness session led by Shackleton’s Emma Raybould.

Shackletons and Diana both celebrate the importance of exercise, a healthy diet and mindfulness, particularly in later living. Diana has been working with Shackletons since 2019 to promote their bespoke seating. She has produced a series of exercise videos extolling the virtues of gentle exercise in a Shackletons chair.

Residents enjoyed planting seeds to compete against one and other to see who could grow the biggest sunflower, which in time will be planted in the homes garden. 

Residents were able to feel the soil used to plant, enabling the sense of touch, for those that don’t like to go outside as often as others, a lot of residents reminisced about times when they would plant and grow with their family’s and grandchildren, bringing back wonderful memory’s.  

As part of Barchester’s Life Enrichment Programme, staff and residents at Meadow Park in Bedlington enjoyed an exciting virtual presentation, provided by SEA LIFE London Aquarium.

Everyone at the home had the opportunity to learn more about the SEA LIFE London Aquarium, which is a home to more than 300 species and 4,000 creatures and to see green sea turtles, feeding of Gentoo penguins and sharks in their 1 million litre shark tank.

The SEA LIFE London Aquarium is located on the ground floor of County Hall on the South Bank of the River Thames in central London, near the London Eye. It opened in March 1997 as the London Aquarium and hosts about one million visitors each year.

Lucy Tomlinson, Resident Experience Manager for Barchester Healthcare, commented: “Our varied life enrichment programme keeps the residents active, and provides a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to the residents’ interests and abilities.”

Residents of Meadow Park took to the homes beautiful garden to take advantage of the early spring sunshine to enjoy a breath of fresh air and re-fill their bird feeders and a do a spot of gardening.

Everyone commented on how much better they felt for grabbing a breath of fresh air, feeling the sun on their faces and checking on the progress of the spring bulbs growing in the homes extensive grounds.

As part of our continued partnership with V&A Dundee, team members and residents at Meadow Park in Bedlington enjoyed a "Creating V&A Dundee" virtual talk.

Everyone at the home had the opportunity to discover the fascinating story behind the origins of V&A Dundee – Scotland’s design museum and the latest addition to the country’s list of instantly recognisable buildings.

They heard how the history of the city and site inspired the architect to draw from a range of unusual sources to create a thoroughly modern museum that is as intriguing as it is complex. The presentation showed incredible images of the entire design and construction process – from initial concept to opening celebration – as well as sharing a few of the building’s lesser-known secrets! It was a testament to the skills and creativity of all of those who brought V&A Dundee to life.

Lucy Tomlinson, Resident Experience Manager for Barchester Healthcare, commented: “Our varied life enrichment programme keeps the residents active, and provides a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to the residents’ interests and abilities.”