Activities at Mount Vale Care Home

Residents at Barchester’s Mount Vale Care Home were buzzing with excitement during our special bee-themed day!

We were treated to a fascinating live talk from Cheshire-based beekeeper Julia Young, who gave us an inside look into the life of bees – from hive hierarchy to honey-making, and even some surprising facts about bee behaviour!

Our residents got creative colouring beautiful bee pictures, tested their knowledge in a fun-filled bee-themed quiz and shared stories about their love for delicious honey over tea and treats.

Big thanks to Julia for sharing her buzzing passion with us and to our wonderful residents for making it such a fun, sweet day! 

Residents from Mount Vale Care Home recently enjoyed a fantastic day out at the Hopetown Railway Museum in Darlington, filled with nostalgia, discovery and plenty of fun!

The group explored a wide array of wonderful historic trains, sparking conversations and heartwarming memories of past railway journeys. Many residents reminisced about their own experiences of rail travel over the years, sharing stories and laughter along the way.

A variety of interactive activities kept everyone engaged — from picture rubbings and certificate-making, to exploring hands-on exhibits designed to help residents learn, reflect and remember how trains and travel have evolved through time.

A big hit was the selfie station, where residents had great fun dressing up in vintage clothing and posing for photos. There was also a virtual train ride experience, offering a moving journey through time — even passing through Northallerton, much to everyone's delight!

No outing would be complete without a stop at the café — the cheese scone and Millionaire’s shortbread were the clear favourites!

The day wrapped up with a visit to the exhibition hall, showcasing amazing vintage motors and how they’ve changed through the years, followed by a good browse through the gift shop to pick up a few mementoes.

It was a day full of joy, learning, and treasured memories. We can't wait for our next adventure!

Tracy Millichap of Mount Vale Care Home has been named Hospitality Champion for the North East in the prestigious Barchester Care Awards 2025. Chosen from over 5,000 national nominations, Tracy impressed judges with her dedication and passion for resident care. 

She now advances to the national finals in October. Tracy said she was "thrilled and honoured" by the recognition. General Manager Trudi Gillespie praised Tracy’s hardworking and positive nature, adding that her contribution makes a real difference. 

Residents, staff, and volunteers enjoyed a fantastic day out in the town centre, celebrating the much-loved annual vintage vehicle exhibition and 1940s extravaganza.

Our residents had a delightful time reminiscing as they admired a stunning collection of classic cars, vintage buses, and historic army vehicles. There were plenty of smiles as they pointed out favourites from their youth and posed for photos beside the vehicles. The mini-steam train ride was also a firm favourite!
 

We had the absolute pleasure of welcoming Chris Gilly to entertain our wonderful residents, staff, and volunteers! He treated us to a fantastic variety of classics, including: Saturday Night at the Movies, Dancing Queen by ABBA, See You Later, Alligator, The Day When I Die, Sweet Caroline, Pretty Woman …plus unforgettable hits from Doris Day, Elvis, and Neil Diamond!

The room was alive with singing, clapping, laughter, and plenty of dancing—each person moving to the music in their own wonderful way. Thank you, Chris, for bringing such joy and energy to Mount Vale! 
 

Our wonderful residents, families, staff, volunteers, and work-experienced students came together for a special outing from Richmond Train Station to the stunning Easby Abbey.

The walk was not only a chance to enjoy the beautiful riverside scenery and historic surroundings, but also to raise awareness for the Barchester Charitable Foundation, supporting older people and adults with disabilities across the UK.

To top off a perfect day, everyone gathered for a picnic prepared by our talented Head Chef, Danny!  We tucked into a delicious spread of sandwiches (all kinds!), sausage rolls, lemon slices, and crisps – the perfect fuel after a lovely walk.

Mount Vale proudly took part in Barchester’s ‘Get Moving Week’, and it’s been full of laughter, activity, and heartwarming moments! From balloon badminton and swing ball to a lovely visit from the children at Looby Lou’s Childcare Limited, our residents enjoyed a wonderful mix of fun and fitness. Intergenerational activities like these are so important — they bring joy, connection, and a beautiful sense of community to all involved

Movement matters — it keeps our bodies strong, our minds sharp, and our spirits lifted. We even planted a few more seeds in the garden while walking around to clock in some extra "movement minutes"!
 

Over four days, from June 9th to 13th, a team of Barchester staff cycled over 225 miles through Dumfries, Cumbria, Lancashire and Cheshire, stopping at 17 care homes across Barchester’s North West & Midlands division to meet well-wishers, have a well-earned break and refuel before continuing on their way.

At Mount Vale, staff and residents embraced the challenge in their own way—using exercise bikes within the home to collectively reach an incredible 157 miles in four days, clocking over 27,000 minutes of movement.
 

Mount Vale have transformed our home into a vibrant green oasis in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Day! It's been a delightful day filled with a variety of activities designed to boost our spirits and promote mental well-being. We kicked things off with some lively movement to music, where everyone got a chance to dance and sing along to their favourite tunes. The energy was infectious!

Adding to the joy, we were thrilled to have a special visitor—Bill, a charming therapy dog from Jack and Pals. It's truly amazing how animals can bring so much calm and happiness into a space. Bill was a hit at Mount Vale, bringing smiles to everyone's faces and reminding us of the simple joys in life.

Remember, taking care of our mental health is crucial, and days like today help us remember to pause, enjoy the moment, and cherish the company of good friends and gentle animals.

Let's keep the conversation about mental health going, because it really does matter!