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
Knit and Natter Community Group
Westergate House have been busy within the local community setting up a free knit and natter workshop at the home.
Taking place every Thursday afternoon in the house lounge, residents and guests have the chance to have some fun knitting their own patchwork blanket, and to meet people from the local community. Lifestyles Lead at the home, Lee Austin, has explained the benefits of a knitting group; a forum that provides a relaxing, creative and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Added benefits include a reduction in feelings of stress and anxiety, and even the alleviation of physical symptoms such as high blood pressure and a fast heart rate. With all the benefits to mind and soul, Lee felt that the group would be the perfect activity to share with the local community. Head chef Chris and his hospitality team are on board, and take pleasure in serving a range of coffee, tea, pastries and cakes for everyone to enjoy.
'Tis the season to be jolly'
We all got into the Christmas spirit when Santa turned up with gifts for all the residents on Christmas Day. Lee Austin, the Activities Lead, aka Santa, dressed up in a fabulous suit, and was barely recognisable as he walked round the home with his sack of carefully chosen presents. The Christmas party was in full swing throughout the home, with traditional food, music and games. Residents enjoyed a feast of festive fayre prepared by the home’s chef Chris.
General Manager, Paul Middleton-Russell said: “Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year and our fantastic residents love to get festive so we’ve pulled out all the stops. It is so lovely to see them all getting into the Christmas spirit, it’s definitely my favourite time of year.”
Ann, resident at Westergate House said: “It has been a lovely day. It was wonderful to see everyone go to so much effort to get into the Christmas spirit. I really enjoyed the Christmas lunch, and the visit from Santa was a complete surprise.”
Elf Day
Look out, Look out! There’s an elf about! Fun, tricks and high jinks were order of the day on Friday when Westergate House celebrated National Elf Day to raise awareness for the Alzheimer’s Society.
Launched by the Alzheimer’s Society and delivered direct from the North Pole, Elf Day was created to sprinkle some festive cheer on fundraising towards finding a cure for dementia. From stripy socks to head-to-toe elf outfits, anything goes – there’s snow way better to raise money to help beat dementia.
Members of staff dressed as naughty elves and were involved in all sorts of capers. The day started with a Community Coffee Morning, where residents, friends and relatives got together over coffee, mince pies and pastries. King Elf Lee, the home’s Lifestyles Lead, surprised all with high-kicks around the lounge that only an elf could do, and elfie jokes were told to entertain all. The afternoon was spent with Christmas quizzes, competitions and more elf-antics, with tea and sweet treats served by Chef and his team.
Christmas Preparations at Westergate House
Westergate House is putting plans in place for Christmas with each of the three communities busy with the preparation of Christmas gifts. Residents living in the Memory Lane community have been busy creating pebble art gifts with Activities Coordinator Julie. Pebbles have been painted with a foundation coat of white paint and decoupage robins have been added to create delightful festive ornaments. Planting Spring bulbs drew a crowd in the House community, and residents were keen to impart their gardening tips with each other as they filled the pots knowledgeably. They were joined by Lee Austin, the new Lifetyles Lead at the home, and Lily, who has been working at the home on a work experience placement, from Chichester College, to complete studies for her Level 3 qualification in Health & Social Care.
Remembrance Sunday
Residents and staff joined the rest of the nation on Remembrance Sunday, in the opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of all those who have protected our way of life. Coverage of the Cenotaph Parade and Remembrance Day service led by King Charles was shown, and the afternoon was spent singing wartime songs, and enjoying a traditional cream tea.
Head Chef Chris can be seen here proudly wearing his medals honouring the two minute silence.
Westergate House Celebrates 30th Anniversary
Excitement levels were through the roof at Barchester’s Westergate House Care Home in Fontwell as staff and residents celebrated their 30th anniversary! Parent company, Barchester Healthcare, who run Westergate House, started out in 1992 with just one care home, Moreton Hill, in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire. Fast forward 30 years and Barchester is now the second largest care home company in the UK with 250 care homes and private hospitals all over the country.
To celebrate, Westergate House threw open its doors on Saturday for a fantastic open day and everyone was invited! The day had a 90s theme and there was live entertainment from Mitchell Armstrong and Leo May, and delicious fayre from Head Chef Chris and his wonderful kitchen team for everyone to enjoy.
