Activities at Spen Court Care Home

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

Chef Alex whipped up some tasty, ealthy vegetarian snacks in a live, interactive cookery demo.  Much to residents’ delight, Spen Court’s second chef, Kayley Baldwin 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 Spen Court care home in Heckmondwike 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.

We are happy to announce that residents at Spen Court care home in Heckmondwike were treated to a virtual talk, kindly provided by Five Sisters Zoo, this afternoon at 2.30 in the lounge. Residents watched on the television screen and individually on the ipad. Beryl, Eva and Sandra are pictured enjoying the session.

Adam Welsh from Five Sisters Zoo will bring the residents to an exciting insight into what goes on at the zoo. The virtual presentation explored the vital conservation, rescue and education work carried out at the zoo and at most of the modern zoos.

Five Sisters Zoo is a family run zoo with over 160 different animal species from all around the world. The zoo offers daily keeper talks that coincide with feeding times of a range of animals, large indoor reptile house with over 40 species and a big outdoor play area for the children.

The Five Sister’s Zoo is located in West Calder which is 27 miles from Glasgow.

Residents from Spen Court enjoyed an afternoon of crispy cake making as part of their baking masterclass which took them back to their younger years.  Baking sessions are a popular activity for the home and the activity had taste buds tingling.

Sarah Sykes, General Manager said: “The residents enjoyed getting creative with their baking as it not only brings back memories of their childhood, but also times when they’ve baked with their own children and grandchildren. Once all the crispy cakes were set, we all enjoyed sitting down with a cup of tea to enjoy!.”

Residents of Spen Court are encouraged to lend a helping hand if they wish.  Residents are often found lending a helping hand to the team at the home from the chef where they have enjoyed a lifelong interest and enjoyment in cooking to the domestic team and having a duster in hand! For others, simple folding of napkins and participating in household chores to laying of the tables for lunch. One Resident says “this gives me a purpose, I feel like I’m contributing by lending a helping hand”.

Spen Court received some beautiful Easter cards from the children at Holy Spirit Primary School. The children were of various ages; some cards had poems, some had greetings, but all were beautiful and appreciated. We displayed the cards alongside a basket of chocolate goodies for all to share.