During these uncertain times, our hospitality team ensure our residents spirits are kept high with delicious food and tasty treats.

All of our residents were invited to attend our High Tea, which included scrumptious savoury treats, homemade soup and an abundance of sweet delights.

At the moment we are unable to enjoy our usual coffee mornings, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy a cup of tea and a chat together, along with a scone!

Arts and crafts are a favourite here at Queens Manor and to bring in some cheer, our residents have been enjoying creating some reef art.   We have spent some time learning about the ocean, reefs, corals and expressing our love for the ocean.

Our residents then enjoyed a fishy quiz and reminisced over our favourite sea adventures.

Staff and residents at Barchester’s Queens Manor care home in Edinburgh were treated to an interactive virtual floristry masterclass courtesy of Master Florist, Michal Kowalski, from Blooming Haus. 

Blooming Haus started with a small pop-up shop in Chelsea.  They have since blossomed spectacularly on to the floristry scene as ‘floral engineers’, carving themselves an outstanding reputation as one of the UK’s most innovative floral design studios. The company is the vision of Master Florist, Michal Kowalski and his business partner, Michael Dariane. The pair bring a completely fresh approach to floristry and their ambition to push the boundaries of traditional floristry has laid the foundations of Blooming Haus’ success to date.

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

Chef Alex whipped up some tasty, healthy vegetarian snacks in a live, interactive cookery demo.  Much to residents’ delight, Queens Manor head chef had prepared the same recipes so that residents could try all the dishes. Residents sampled delicious, light and summery veggie dishes including Borlotti bean and dill pate, Greek fritters with Tzatziki and Coronation 'chicken' pastries. All finished off with a sweet and simple but totally yummy banana bread.

Staff and residents at Barchester’s Queens Manor home in Edinburgh 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.

Diana rose to fame as a glamorous fitness guru on BBC’s Breakfast Time in the 1980’s and has made an outstanding contribution to improving the health and wellbeing of people in the UK. She now brings that experience to Shackletons as their Health and Wellness Adviser.

Staff and residents at Barchester’s Strachan House and Queens Manor care home in Edinburgh were treated to an exciting virtual tour of Five Sisters Zoo, hosted by Head of Education, Adam Welsh.

Five Sisters Zoo is a family run zoo with over 160 different animal species from around the world.  Originally a garden centre that helped to rehome unwanted pets, the animal collection grew and grew until the zoo was officially founded in 2005.  Now Five Sisters Zoo is the most visited wildlife attraction in West Lothian.

Gone are the days when a visit to the zoo was merely a fun day out.  Adam’s presentation showed all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes at the zoo and explored the vital conservation, rescue and education work carried out at FSZ, and at most modern zoos.