Activities at Strachan House Care Home

Our 'Gone Fishing 23' project saw our beautiful Anne achieve her dream as the staff ensured her meaningful moment was a rock star explosion of excitement. Anne is a big fan of Queen and of the rock legend Freddie Mercury. Through her one to ones, Anne said she had always wanted to go to a rock concert and see him live. So staff combined both things that meant a lot to Anne and raised the roof with a night at the Queen extravaganza set in the Usher Hall in Edinburgh. It was a total surprise to Anne, and the sheer delight on her face was what makes our Gone Fishing 23 project so special. The team jumped into action and raced to ensure the tickets were booked to make Anne’s dream come true.

Anne got to rock the night away like a rock star. She danced all night to her idol and his music. The lights, noise, and music totally hit all the rights notes. Anne, you totally rocked! For the team, it was a privilege to make her moment happen. We are so excited to see what, and who is surprised next for residents at Strachan House .

The staff and residents at Strachan House care home in Edinburgh have been flipping and turning pancakes all morning for their Shrove Tuesday celebrations.

Strachan House has marked this year’s Pancake Day with making their own pancakes and seeing who could toss them the highest. To which got all a little competitive but saw a lot of fun and laughter. Stevie one of the chef’s at the home, flipped more than 60 pancakes, serving them up to the residents with their sweet and savoury fillings.

Betty Notman, a resident at Strachan House said “I’ve never laughed so much, I wouldn’t like to be cleaning up all the missed pancaked we didn’t catch“

Louise, a resident here at Strachan House, had always dreamed of being back in the saddle and riding a horse, so, staff at the home made her wish a reality with their Gone Fishing 23 project. Louise was an avid rider and owned her own horse. A passion she dearly misses along with her horse.

Louise has lived at Strachan House for 2 years and is loved by staff and residents alike. She has a role within the home as the Resident Ambassador so staff really wanted to make her meaningful moment come true for her. Mandy Burgen Head of Activities said “we really knew how much it meant to her to have this opportunity to take up the reins again so we jumped into action and made a few calls to Tower Farm Riding School.

Tower Farm is a local riding school that caters for levels of riding. Debbie, the owner, was more than happy to help lend a helping hand. They provided all the safety wear and a beautiful grey horse called Monarch. “The staff were wonderful and assisted on the day with ensuring Louise had the most incredible experience. We are very grateful for their help and support in our project”.

Staff first found out about Louise’s dream last year through chats and her collections of photos of her with her horses and, ever since then, they have been dedicated to helping her achieve her dream. Louise was also accompanied by staff from Strachan House who were there in support of this momentous occasion.

In response to this wonderful surprise, Louise said: “I was on the verge of tears. It is such an amazing feeling to be with horses and the smell and touch of a horse just brought everything flooding back.Im so humbled that group of people care so much about me that they helped me to live out a dream. What an amazing surprise“

Strachan House decided to celebrate the Brazilian festival with a carnival party of their own. Residents, their relatives and staff all got involved with the spirit of Rio Des Carnival by learning some new dance moves to some authentic samba beats. The day was dedicated to everything colourful and the dancing never stopped all day.

General Manager at Strachan House care home, said: “This has been a huge amount of fun and our residents really got in the party celebrations with all the samba music and dancing. Melanie from Face Painting by Melanie based in Edinburgh who kindly offered to create beautiful works of art of our residents faces just made their day. They were delighted”

Margaret Wilson, a resident at our home said: “I really enjoyed making the head dresses and Melanie was such an amazing artist. Watching her face painting skills was incredible and to have my face painted too made we want to go to a real Brazilian Carnival to show it off“

Strachan House was filled with flowers, cards and sweets in celebration of St Valentine’s Day.  

Staff, residents and guests celebrated the day of love with reminiscing old acquaintances, a themed evening meal and live music throughout the day. In the evening the doors to Strachan House were open to anyone who wanted to come along and enjoy our evening entertainment with Diane Fields who starred in Britain’s Got Talent. With plenty of bubbly and valentine cupcakes freshly prepared by Stevie the chef it was a fantastic night full of love and laughter.

Marion Cooper a resident at Strachan House said: “It has been a lovely day. It was wonderful to see everyone go to so much effort to get involved with the day’s festivities. I really liked listening to all their romantic memories they shared”

Ian and Villy White a couple at the home celebrated with a candlelit meal together.

On the run up to Valentine’s Day we decided to open our very own Strachan House Snuggle Shack.

If our residents, staff and family feel they need a hug they only need to head to our Snuggle Shack. What’s more every hug is free and you can have as many as you like.