Activities at Ross Court Care Home

Every Friday morning, we are fortunate to be joined by Jim from Ross Junior Community Outreach Programme, who leads a popular uplifting exercise session for Residents of Ross Court. Each week we have a different team captain, giving everyone a chance to take a leadership role. The captain helps to co-ordinate the group and is responsible for nominating the player of the day and the trainer of the week.

The sessions are friendly, inclusive and certainly competitive, with plenty of laughs along the way. Residents really look forward to seeing Jim, and getting involved, whether that's taking part, cheering others on, or helping with the weekly roles. 

This activity is also fantastic for morale, mood and overall wellbeing. It supports mobility, balance and confidence, as this is one of the gentler, seated exercise classes at Ross Court. Most importantly, it brings people together and creates a real sense of community.

Ruby is a beautiful 9 year old Red Setter, that visits us on a weekly basis with her Mum Jackie. Ruby has been a part of the Ross Court family for years and visits so often, that she recognises all of her favourite faces around the home. She's loved by so many of us, and we all look forward to seeing her every week. 
Thankyou Ruby! (and Jackie of course). 

We are hosting our Annual Dog Show on Saturday 05/09/2026, and we are sure that Ruby could be in the running for an Award or 2...

Ho! Ho! Ho! 

Last week we were very lucky because a very special person visited our home! On 6th of December Santa Claus himself came to Ross Court to taste some mince pies and meet our lovely residents, staff and some very lucky children! Satna took time to walk around the home and meet all the residents and, like a celebrity he is, he posed for some pictures in our pop-up Grotto and gave out sweets and plenty of hugs! 

Our Admin and Activities teams also didn't disappoint- they all came dressed up as Elves and entertained our residents and visitors with fun games including throw a hoop at reindeer antlers. Some of the children who visited also joined in Christmas colouring and residents complemented their art skills. 

We are hoping Santa will visit us every year, after all you're never too old for some Christmas cheer!

Our residents enjoyed a fantastic trip to the Forest of Dean Heritage Centre, and it truly was a day to remember. From discovering fascinating pieces of local history to taking in the beauty of the surrounding woodland, the outing was filled with smiles, stories, and cherished moments.

Our team worked hard to make the day special, ensuring everyone felt supported, engaged, and free to explore at their own pace. We are incredibly grateful for their dedication — and equally grateful to our residents, whose warmth and enthusiasm bring joy to every adventure.

Days like this remind us how valuable shared experiences are in creating a vibrant, connected community. We look forward to many more excursions, opportunities to learn, and moments of happiness together.

At Ross Court, every day offers the chance to make new memories — and we can’t wait for the next one.

This year, for Emergency Services Day, we spent the afternoon delivering these wonderful hampers across Ross and beyond, to show our gratitude to the wonderful people and teams that we work so closely with. Our Deputy Manager Catherine, and the wider team, work with so many of our local healthcare professionals on such a regular basis, that it felt right to show our gratitude by keeping them fueled up with a Barchester hamper full of indulgent chocolates and treats.

To Ross-On-Wye, and the wider Herefordshire NHS support teams: We thank you for everything you continue to do for us. 

Our New Year's Eve party for residents was a truly special! The home was beautifully prepared for the evening with soft candlelight creating a calm and welcoming atmosphere that made everyone feel relaxed and comfortable from the moment the celebrations began.

Live singers entertained residents with a selection of well-loved songs, encouraging everyone to join in, sing along, or simply enjoy the performances. The music soon led to dancing with residents, staff and visitors sharing joyful moments together on the floor. A delicious selection of cheese and wine was served throughout the evening giving residents the opportunity to savour festive treats while socialising with friends.

As the night continued residents gathered to watch spectacular fireworks on television, showcasing celebrations from different parts of the world. This created a wonderful sense of connection and excitement allowing everyone to welcome the season together while reminiscing and sharing stories.

The party was a beautiful celebration that brought smiles, laughter and a strong sense of togetherness. It offered residents the chance to enjoy familiar traditions, create new memories, and feel truly valued. 

We would like to wish all our residents, their families and friends, as well as our staff a very happy New Year!

We recently had a craft session where some of our lovely residents at our home got into the festive spirit by creating their own beautiful DIY Christmas wreaths. Guided by our activities team, residents chose from an array of seasonal materials to design wreaths that reflect their personal style and holiday memories.

The wreath-making session was more than just a craft activity; it encouraged creativity, conversation, and a wonderful sense of togetherness. Many residents shared stories of past Christmas traditions as they arranged their decorations, filling the room with warmth and laughter.

These handmade wreaths now brighten our communal spaces and residents’ doors, adding a personal touch to our Christmas décor. The activity not only brought festive cheer but also offered therapeutic benefits, supporting dexterity, focus, and emotional well-being.

We’re proud to see our residents’ talents shine through such meaningful, joyful creations that help make the season truly special.

Our residents had a truly wonderful evening celebrating Bonfire Night on the 5th of November! The excitement began as everyone wrapped up warm and gathered together to enjoy one of Britain’s favourite traditions. Some residents headed outside to watch the colourful fireworks burst across the night sky, while others stayed cosy indoors, watching the spectacular display from the windows with big smiles and plenty of “oohs” and “aahs.”

The atmosphere was filled with laughter, joy, and a real sense of togetherness as sparklers lit up the garden and residents reminisced about Bonfire Nights from years gone by. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed a delicious treat of creamy hot chocolate topped with marshmallows — the perfect way to end the evening.

It was a truly special celebration that brought warmth and happiness to all. We’re so grateful to our wonderful team for organising such a fantastic event and to everyone who joined in to make the night memorable.

Residents of Ross Court enjoyed A wonderful morning at Pen Y Bryn Animal Sanctuary, where they got to spend time with some of the beautiful animals that are in the sanctuary's care.

They are typically not open to the public, however in their kindness we we're able to visit to learn more about what they do, and spend time with some of their animals, which is a real credit to the Ross community spirit. 

Not only did residents, get to spend a morning at the Sanctuary, they were able to take in the beautiful surrounding countryside, get in touch with nature, and go somewhere that is typically not accessible to the general public.

Our residents recently enjoyed a wonderfully festive afternoon creating their very own gingerbread house, filling Ross Court with the warm aromas of spice and sweet treats. From carefully assembling the walls to adding colourful icing and decorations some of our ladies residents took great pride in their creations, sharing laughter along the way. One of the ladies said, “It reminds me of baking at Christmas with my children. It brings all those happy times back.”

While assembling the gingerbread house we also had a look at fascinating history of this tradition. Our residents were astounded to learn it dates back to 16th-century Germany. 

At Ross Court, this activity was about far more than baking. It encouraged reminiscence, creativity and social connection, making it a truly heart-warming Christmas experience for everyone involved.

We recently had the pleasure of hosting our Corks and Cocktails event at our home, and it was a memorable celebration of good company, great flavours, and local talent. Guests enjoyed a curated selection of wines paired with an assortment of cheeses, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for everyone who attended.

One of the highlights of the evening was a talented Christine and Gareth who performed live music throughout the event. Their beautiful vocals and warm presence added a special touch and helped set the tone for a truly enjoyable night. We were also grateful to welcome members of our local community, whose involvement made the gathering even more meaningful.

Events like this remind us of the joy of bringing people together—sharing conversations, discovering new experiences, and strengthening community connections. We look forward to hosting more occasions that celebrate togetherness and local culture.

In the week leading to Halloween, our care home was transformed into a spooky wonderland filled with laughter, creativity, and community spirit. Residents and staff joined together for a fun-filled day of pumpkin carving, showing off their artistic flair with everything from cheerful smiles to frightful faces. The excitement continued as everyone got crafty, making their own Halloween decorations to brighten up our home with cobwebs, ghosts, and glowing lanterns.

On Halloween the atmosphere buzzed with joy as we hosted our Halloween party. Residents enjoyed delicious treats, music, and games. The highlight of the day was the visit from local children who came trick or treating! The children loved showing off their fabulous costumes and their bright smiles and playful energy brought warmth and delight to all our residents.

It was truly a wonderful celebration that brought generations together and filled our home with festive fun. We’re already looking forward to making next year’s Halloween even more magical!