Activities at Waterside Court Care Home

Today at Waterside Court, we were honoured to take part in the Barchester Care Awards, a celebration of the exceptional people who make a difference across our communities. 

We are immensely proud to share that our Resident Ambassador, Heather Woollard, was recognised as the Divisional Winner for Resident Ambassador of the Year, representing Waterside Court with dignity, passion, and pride.

We might not have made it to the next round, but wow – what a journey! We could not be prouder of Heather’s outstanding achievement and the unwavering support shown by our residents, staff, families, and friends throughout this journey.

We extend our warmest congratulations to all the national winners and express our heartfelt appreciation to Heather for being such an inspiring ambassador for Waterside Court and the wider Barchester family.

Yesterday, we hosted a truly special “Guess Who” Reminiscence Session here at Waterside Court — and what a beautiful afternoon it turned out to be!

With the help of our wonderful residents, staff, families, and friends, we gathered treasured childhood photos. The room was filled with laughter, curiosity, and a few happy tears as we all tried to “guess who” from those adorable pictures. 

Each photo sparked heart-warming memories and wonderful stories — from school days and family holidays to the little adventures that shaped the amazing people we know today. The atmosphere was full of warmth, nostalgia, and joy, reminding us how powerful shared memories can be.

It was a touching celebration of life, connection — and a beautiful reminder that every picture really does tell a story. 

We had a truly unforgettable visit from ZooLab, who brought along some fascinating guests from the animal kingdom! Our residents were thrilled (and a little curious!) to meet a wonderful array of creatures — from slithering snakes and tiny tree frogs to a gentle turtle and even a bold tarantula.

The star of the show was undoubtedly Banana, the beautiful yellow snake whose name couldn’t have been more perfect. The room was filled with laughter, gasps, and plenty of smiles as residents took turns meeting our scaly and furry visitors up close.

It was a fantastic afternoon full of discovery, courage, and connection with nature — proving once again that life at Waterside Court is never short of adventure! 

Shopping days here are more than just a chance to pick out new clothes—they’re a delightful experience that brings style, independence, and joy right to our residents’ doorstep. With rails of seasonal fashion, cosy classics, and sparkling occasion wear, residents can browse, try on, and choose their favourites in the comfort of their home.

It’s not only about finding the perfect outfit, but about reliving the joy of shopping—chatting with friends, sharing opinions, and enjoying those little “fashion show” moments that bring so many smiles. 

The day leaves everyone feeling uplifted, stylish, and celebrated—a true luxury experience designed with care, dignity, and fun at its heart. 

Our new monthly Daytime Disco kicked off with a bang!

The room was filled with music, laughter as residents took to the dance floor, tapped along to their favourite tunes from Doris Day, Tom Jones, Neil Diamond and others from their eras sharing joyful moments together. To top it off we celebrated a very special birthday for Alan.

Events like this bring so many benefits to our residents – not only do they encourage gentle movement and exercise, but they also boost mood, reduce stress, and spark happy memories through music. 

We are welcoming the community to join us on every third Friday of the month. If you would like to join us please RSVP Waterside Court. Here’s to more happy moments, more birthdays, and more dancing at Waterside Court! 

Our resident ambassador, Heather, along with our dedicated staff, looked wonderful in their beautiful saris as they represented our vibrant community. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, reminds us that light triumphs over darkness and goodness always prevails — a celebration of hope, joy, and unity.

At Waterside Court, we take great pride in honouring diversity and embracing the many cultures that make our community so special.

Autumn has arrived here at Waterside Court, bringing with it a wonderful display of rich colours and seasonal charm. To mark the occasion, we created a fantastic Harvest Festival display, filled with vibrant pumpkins, apples, golden wheat, and other autumnal delights. The display captured the beauty of the season perfectly and brought smiles to everyone who stopped by. It was a lovely way to celebrate the harvest and welcome the warmth and togetherness that this time of year brings.
 

What an unforgettable evening we had! The amazing Siobhan and her talented cast brought us a thrilling Murder Mystery Play that had everyone on the edge of their seats. During the short performance—oh dear—a shocking murder occurred! 

But don’t worry… our brilliant residents and staff quickly transformed into detectives, piecing together clues, questioning the cast, and working as a team to crack the case. Two of our eagle-eyed residents proudly received certificates for cracking the case!”

The night was packed with laughter , interaction , and just the right amount of suspense to keep everyone guessing. The energy in the room was incredible, and the cast truly transported us into the world of mystery and intrigue.

We'd like to send a huge thank you to Siobhan and her wonderful cast for delivering such joy, excitement, and entertainment. You gave our residents a magical experience.

Today, our residents joined a fantastic live virtual session on Indian Miniature Painting.

With a splash of creativity they picked their favourite flower images and brought them to life using beautiful watercolour (Aqua) techniques. The session was more than just painting—it sparked creativity, mindfulness, and focus, while also giving everyone a chance to relax and connect with the community. 

We were amazed by the level of engagement and the stunning artworks everyone created.

The day also saw us celebrating two wonderful birthdays! Happy Birthday, Irene and Olga!
 

This afternoon, Waterside Court was delighted to welcome acclaimed author Carolyn Kirby as our very special guest. Carolyn joined us to launch her latest novel, Ravenglass, and treated our residents to a fascinating journey into the art of storytelling.

She shared insights into the writing process, brought her characters to life through engaging readings, and held thoughtful discussions that sparked plenty of curiosity and conversation. To make the afternoon even more memorable, Carolyn personally signed copies of Ravenglass and presented them to our residents – a truly treasured gift.

We were delighted to host another uplifting Sunday Service here at Waterside Court, led by Pastor Simon and beautifully accompanied by Graham on guitar. Residents and their families thoroughly enjoyed the heartfelt hymns, sincere prayers, and inspiring message shared throughout the service.

It was a truly special time of reflection, worship, and community — with families joining together in song, fellowship, and shared moments of meaning. Occasions like these highlight the joy, unity, and sense of belonging that flourish when faith and music bring people together.

At Waterside Court, we love to keep things lively with a variety of entertainment and activities for our residents — and today was no exception! We had the absolute pleasure of welcoming the incredible Cherie, who wowed everyone with her mesmerising belly dance performance.

The room came alive with colour, rhythm, and joy as Cherie twirled and shimmied — and soon, our residents couldn’t resist joining in! With scarves swirling and smiles all around, even our staff got caught up in the fun. The atmosphere was electric, filled with laughter, clapping, and a real sense of togetherness.

A big thank you, Cherie, for bringing your sparkle to Waterside Court!

This special event is held to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity dedicated to providing vital care, guidance, and support to individuals and families affected by cancer. Every cup of coffee poured and every slice of cake shared helps make a difference to those facing some of the toughest times in their lives.

It was wonderful to see so many new faces from the local community at our coffee morning. We would like to extend a huge thank you to all our residents, relatives, friends, and staff who donated, baked, and contributed so generously. Your kindness and support mean so much, and together we’ve helped raise awareness and funds for a truly important cause.

Today we had a truly magical afternoon as our residents enjoyed a beautiful piano concert performed by Tim. The music filled the room with joy, and everyone had an amazing time singing along to their favourite tunes. 

The joy in the room was undeniable — so much so that no one wanted it to end. A huge thank you to Tim for creating such a special memory for our residents – you truly struck all the right notes.

Today, our residents enjoyed a truly wonderful outing to the Waterfront Café, joined by our sister home, Oxford Beaumont Care Community - Barchester Healthcare.

From sharing stories to forming new friendships, the atmosphere was buzzing with joy. There’s nothing quite like a warm cuppa, a slice of cake, and the best company to make the perfect day out! 

Thank you, Oxford Beaumont, for joining us it was a joy to share time, and we look forward to many more joyful gatherings ahead.”