Activities at Rose Lodge Care Home

Rose Lodge care home, in Wisbech, was full of animal fun on Wednesday 31st July when some donkeys came to the home. Residents (and staff) at Rose Lodge were overwhelmed with happiness to see both Milly, aged 6, and her older sister Pixie, aged 8, roaming around the garden and home.

General Manager Meg Jones said: “Animals hold such a special place in so many of our residents’ hearts and we wanted to foster this love and be able to support residents, especially those who may find it difficult to go out on our minibus. Today has been wonderful to see the positive therapeutic influence these gentle animals can have on our residents. We have some of our residents living with frailties and dementia who responded really well to being able to pat and stroke both the donkeys”

Rose Lodge  was full of celebrations for one of their staff who has celebrated 20 years of service. Joyce Turney started at Rose Lodge in July 2004 as a Senior Care Assistant and then completed her Care Practitioner course in May 2019, meaning she is able to support residents who have a nursing need.

General Manager Meg Jones said: “Joyce is a well-respected and liked member of our team with both residents, visitors and colleagues and it was so special to be able to celebrate her today and the loyalty and dedication she has shown to our residents and the home over the 20 years she has been with us, thank you Joyce”

Barchester care homes and hospitals nationwide linked together for a fantastic quiz in celebration of Barchester’s 100th live virtual event.

Residents engaged in a variety of questions ranging from historical trivia to visual puzzles and brainteasers.

Everyone who joined had a fantastic time and enjoyed some friendly competition.

Residents enjoyed a lovely afternoon visiting the Magpie Centre where we were welcomed by the centres volunteers. They provided an informative talk about the running of the centre and the things in which they do before we were taken on a tour of the gardens where we met ‘Pebbles’ the pony.

We enjoyed a lovely afternoon with tea and some delicious cakes whilst spending time with Pebbles. Pet therapy ponies are good for those living with dementia or other disabilities and equine assisted learning therapy encourages interaction between horses and people to promote mental wellbeing.

The Magpie Centre has been carrying out our life-changing activities at nearby Wallington Hall location for over 30 years, and they take great pride in the exceptional standard of our instructors and volunteers. They rely on voluntary help, as well as donations and legacies to deliver their services.  All our residents said they had a lovely afternoon and it was so lovely to meet Pebbles and we look forward to visiting again soon.

Residents were invited to Thomas Clarkson Academy to watch the Annual Showcase of Bugsy Malone! This was such a treat for the residents and a wonderful performance to watch. All of the cast were Thomas Clarkson Academy drama students and really knew their stuff.

Wendy said, "I thoroughly enjoyed the dancing and all the lovely costumes".

We would all really like to thank Mr Clay, the amazing drama teacher for inviting us and all the very impressive students.

Staff and residents are celebrating because their wonderful Managing Director, Fiona Fagan, from Barchester’s North East and Scotland Division, has stepped completely out of her comfort zone to compete in the Barchester Charitable Foundation Cook Off 2024.

Fiona went head-to-head with the Managing Directors from Barchester’s four other divisions and cooked up a storm to raise a phenomenal £24,595 for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation which helps connect vulnerable people and those living with a disability to community groups in their local area by providing grants to improve mobility and quality of life.  Each year the Foundation distributes thousands of pounds to individuals, small community groups and charities across England, Scotland and Wales.