Activities at Westergate House Care Home
Our activities team are great at building the activities programme around the likes and interests of the people we care for. Ensuring that our social events offer fun and adventure is part of the ethos of our home; it’s important that those we support can enjoy an active and social lifestyle. Of course, there will always be those who prefer peace and quiet, and in these instances, a cup of tea and a chat are always welcomed.
Lee Austin
My name is Lee and I am the Head of Lifestyle here at Westergate House.
I support our residents daily to do the things they enjoy and it is extremely important to me that we are offering a premium and person centred service to each resident. I support our residents on a daily basis by providing meaningful and quality activities either in groups or on a 1:1 basis, to help encourage and build confidence while creating an enjoyable environment for everyone. Westergate House is the home of our residents, we as staff are working in it, so it is extremely important to me that we are respectful of that, while offering a premium and person centred service to each and every resident.
I am a trained actor and professional vocalist and not shy in making a fool of myself. If I do that every day to put a smile on our residents faces then I’m happy I have played my part, along with the rest of the amazing team, to brightening their day. If you hear someone singing along the corridor or see them dancing in the lounges, it will probably be me.
Read our brochure 'Life-enriching activities' for more information about life in our care homes.
Read our brochure
Activities and Events Partnerships
As part of our bespoke life-enrichment programmes, we host a number of live virtual events in the home on a regular basis through a number of partnerships with places of interest and world class performance companies
Life at Westergate House Care Home
Jubilee Celebrations
Excitement has been running high at Westergate House Care Home where residents and staff have been busy making Jubilee-themed decorations and whipping up a storm of red mocktails and celebratory cakes with the help of head chef Chris in preparation for the Jubilee. Staff and residents at the home put their heads together and came up with a plan for their celebrations fit for a Queen. Over the bank holiday weekend the home held a Pimms and strawberries afternoon, coverage of the televised events, a royal quiz, a garden party with musical entertainment and a carvery lunch. The whole home came together to celebrate our longest reigning monarch and reminisce about what she means to each and every one of us.
Dementia Artwork
Westergate House, Fontwell, were delighted when staff member, Rose Prince, who has worked at the home for two years, decided to base her final submission for her Foundation Diploma in Art & Design with UAL, on her experience as working as a Care Assistant in the dementia community.
Rose, who takes a place at University Arts London in Chelsea this September, reflected on the needs of the residents at Westergate House and created a HUG by LAUGH lamb (a suggestion drawn from the Alzheimer’s Society website) which she adapted to the unique needs of the individuals she works with. Rose’s lamb, seen in the picture, is weighted and therefore provides a sensory ‘hug’ for the resident when held; there is a playlist entitled ‘Memory Lane’ with popular tunes taken from the 1950s onwards, a fragrant scent of lavender to provide relaxation and a sense of calm, as well as a heat pad to enhance the sensation of a hug. Rose also made a sensory blanket with tactile objects attached to stimulate memories and senses, as well as a beautiful piped cushion decorated with characterful images based on her observations from working in the dementia community.
International Nurses Day
Coinciding with the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, International Nurses Day, is a day to celebrate nurses and care staff around the world. Residents and staff at Westergate House, were happy to get involved by hosting a much deserved celebration to mark the special day, where our nurses were presented with cards and gifts.
VE Day
Westergate House marked the anniversary of VE Day in style by creating a day to remember with fun, music and reflection on a wealth of memories. With songs by Vera Lynn and decorations of red, white and blue, the home had an air of excitement and pride. Maddie, Deputy Manager, and the staff dressed up in their 1940s-inspired outfits and time was spent remembering and celebrating the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Tea Afternoon
We marked the Queen’s 96th birthday on April 21st by brewing up a storm for National Tea Day and having an afternoon tea party. Head chef Chris whipped up a tasty selection of freshly-baked biscuits, pastries and cakes for the occasion, all washed down with a selection of different teas. Residents took part in royal and tea-themed sessions including tea-tasting, where strawberry and pomegranate were the most popular, watching old clips of royal tours and occasions, and learning facts about tea growing and production.
Double Anniversary Celebrations
It's been a week of romance and celebration at Westergate House this week. Springtime wedding anniversaries have been celebrated in style on the Memory Lane Community. With 50 happy years marriage celebrated by Lavinia and her husband, and 54 years marked by Joan and John, there was a great excuse for glasses of fizz, bouquets and celebration cakes. The happy couples raised a glass with staff and friends at the care home and reflected on fond memories.
