Activities at Overslade House Care Home

Residents celebrated British Pie week this week by watching videos on Melton Mowbray and how to make a pork pie, did you know it takes 4 days? We of course then had to sample some Melton Mowbray pork pies they were delicious. Residents then went on a scenic virtual trip over the Welland viaduct and finished off with a documentary on the discovery of King Richard III in a Leicestershire car park.   Over the course of the week, overseen by our Chef Dario Mozzettini, staff and residents experimented with many different types of pie fillings and flavour combinations.

John, a resident said: “I absolutely love pies!  I don’t mind if it is sweet or savoury, there is just something so satisfying about a pie – whether it is served with gravy or ice cream and of course you cannot beat a Melton Mowbray Pork Pie!”

Lucy Sharpe has been with Barchester for 15 years and has worked with residents and their relatives to ensure that their needs have been met over the years. Carers, residents and staff came together to celebrate this occasion.  Lucy received a gift voucher , flowers and a gold brooch award.  Lucy said “I really enjoy my job and love the residents, I can’t believe I have been here 15 years!”

Violeta Baesu, General Manager, said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating a total of 15 years of loyal service with Lucy. Lucy has demonstrated her dedication and loyalty to this home and its residents year after year. I speak for all of us here at Overslade House when I say that I’m looking forward to many more years of working with Lucy!

Well it was eyes down, look in, at Overslade House as staff and residents joined fellow dabbers from over 250 Barchester care homes and hospitals across the whole of the UK, including Wales, Scotland, Jersey and the Isle of Wight, to compete in the biggest game of bingo Barchester has ever seen!

Everybody waited with bated breath as we linked up via Zoom and were ready to shout Line or House for a win.

Resident Joyce, said, “It has been such a fun afternoon, it was wonderful to see everyone in all the other homes joining in. This technology is all new to me, I really enjoyed getting together with my fellow residents to take on the other homes”.

Joyce and Doreen were our lucky winners today and were thrilled with winning and receiving their prizes.

Overslade House raised a wee dram of Scottish Whiskey to Poet Robert Burns on 25th January to mark the Scottish institution, including giving the time-honoured address to the ‘Great chieftain O’ the pudding race’ – the haggis. Residents also enjoyed learning Flower of Scotland and Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond during their choir practice. A game of Perfect Pairs was played with pictures depicting Scotland and Margaret our resident who is actually Scottish was delighted to win. Our residents also had a wonderful time creating images of Scotland in a lovely collage with Olivia from Creative Mojo and Resident Nathan was thrilled to be made artist of the day. Later residents enjoyed Robbie Burns Quizzes supplied through the Oomph Wellness programme after watching a short documentary on Robert Burns who died aged 37. This was followed by videos of Glencoe, Loch Lomond and the Isles of Harris and Luke with stunning scenery and the recital of a Robert Burns poem by our King . The tables were set and residents were given the choice to try Scotch broth Haggis, Neeps and Tatties prepared by Head Chef Joanne Kolat- Furca and also enjoyed Scottish ginger shortbread and Scottish Tea Cakes. Residents John and Peter thoroughly enjoyed their whiskey with ginger but did you know a dram is only a teaspoonful?

The Six Nations Rugby Championship has begun. Residing in Rugby the birth place of the game, residents have been watching the Rugby and also took part in a quiz supplied through the Oomph wellness programme that Barchester provide for all homes. We did get a little stuck on the question which county is Rugby in, of course we knew really. Another interesting question and fact is that the Fijian team wear an all-white kit and we all thought only England players could wear all white. Quizzes are not about competing or winning although taking part is fun but about what you learn from these quizzes and the mental stimulation they provide. The quiz was followed by a game of Pyramid based on the Family Fortunes gameshow and a drinks trolley with beers and wine for the residents. General Manager Violeta Baesu, said: “We have loved watching the Six Nations, we have watched pretty much all the matches – lots of our residents are rugby fans.  It has been fantastic to be able to cheer on all the home sides.  We look forward to the results.

Celebrations have been in full swing at Overslade House, as one of its residents reaches her 90th birthday in style.

Rita Bright was joined by staff, relatives, and friends as she celebrated another landmark birthday. Guests enjoyed a special birthday cake made by the home’s chef Joanne Kolat-Furca.

Rita was born in Peterborough in 1934 and was married to Dr John Bright for 35 years. During their marriage Rita and John had 3 children, David, Amanda and Jeremy and one grandson Seth.

Rita was a magistrate in Rugby for 30 years and in her spare time, Rita loved to cook and was apparently a very good one. Rita also enjoyed gardening and flower arranging and also ran the 18th Rugby Brownies Pack in Hillmorton. Rita raised a lot of money for charity and was affectionately known as “Mrs. Womble” for her thriftiness. Rita’s kindness also extended to animals she had cats and also 3 rescue dogs, Harriet, Harry and Humphrey. Rita also ran a Christmas card shop at St Andrews Church in Rugby to raise money for charity. Rita went to St Andrews church regularly after the passing of her husband John and it was here that she met Noel who had also lost his wife. Rita and Noel love to sing and regularly sang in the choir, they also loved to travel and went on many coach trips. A wonderful partnership blossomed and Rita and Noel have been together for 27 years now and both live at Overslade House. Noel also has two sons Chris and Alex and Chris said “Rita was a godsend to my father”

When asked the secret to a long life Rita said, “Well one must stay positive and not complain too much” Rita was described by family as a very welcoming and very uncomplaining person and here at Overslade House we have to agree.