White LodgeBarchester Healthcare

Activities at White Lodge Care Home

Our Activities Coordinators here at White Lodge enjoy the fulfillment of helping residents feel important and a part of something. Meaningful moments are created through laughter and comfort. A varied activities programme is offered for the betterment of residents' bodies and minds, including music for health, 'Oomph' sessions and chair Zumba, in addition to coffee and cake groups that all inevitably lead to giggles and old fashioned singalongs. Also, we organise parties, trips out, walks in the country, bus outings and wonderful entertainers to visit our home. A sneaky tipple is always welcomed with cheese and crackers and, at the end of the day, it is important to go home knowing our activities have made a difference.

Read our brochure ‘Life-enriching activities’ for more information about life in our care homes.

Read our brochure

Shayla Sharmeen

Activities Coordinator

Hi my name is Shayla and I'm the activities coordinator here at White Lodge.

Prior to taking the position, I joined White Lodge as care assistant in 2022 and loved every minute of my role. My passion is very much in supporting the day to day lives of the people we care for, it is important to me that our weekly calendar offers rich experiences with music from live entertainers, as well as arts and crafts tailored to individual abilities.

Getting to know our residents better is so important, and through regular family and friends’ meetings we can gain a greater understanding of their loved ones' interests and life prior to joining White Lodge that will make for an enriched activities program to be developed, one that keeps them at the heart of the local community. I look forward to getting to know you, and your loved ones.

We are always open to new ideas. If you would like to get involved in any of our Life Enrichment activities or have a skill, or project you'd like to share with our residents, please contact me direct. New entertainers and community links are always welcome.

Celebrating life at White Lodge Care Home

Cheering on the Lionesses!

The staff and residents at White Lodge have been celebrating England’s victory over Spain. They never dared to dream England would retain their title! The staff at White Lodge prepared a little celebration for the residents with lots of buntings and flags, Pimm’s and light bites while they were enjoying the match in the lounge.

Meet our fabulous Volunteers

Jenny and Chris do an amazing job by visiting the residents every Thursday.

They make sure to visit the residents in their rooms and provide invaluable companionship and support residents engaging in conversation. Chris and Jenny play a huge role helping residents feel more connected, engaged, and valued within the home.

Thank you so much for your significant support. Your consistent contributions made a huge difference in our residents life.

Summer Garden Concert with CAW

Residents and guests at White Lodge care home enjoyed a morning of smiles with a live music performance that took place in the home gardens.

Arranged in collaboration with by Celebrating Age Wiltshire (CAW), White Lodge care home had the absolute pleasure of hosting a Summer Garden Concert for the local community, residents and staff on Friday 25th July.

As a county-wide project CAW delivers culture and heritage events in a variety of community settings to support the wellbeing of older people. Guests at the event were entertained by the wonderful solo singer Frankie; accompanied by Peter on the keyboard to a selection of sing-along songs.

The weather was amazing, with full sunshine throughout Frankie’s performance and the hospitality team at the home provided a spread of sweet and savoury treats for everyone to enjoy during the show.

Pop-Up Shopping from Pepper Pot

The residents at White Lodge had a visit from Pepper pot clothing with their summer collection in the afternoon.

Our residents gathered in the lounge and enjoyed their shopping with afternoon tea. They look through the shelves and railings exploring the summer prints, some of them found what they were looking for and few didn't but it is always fun looking at!

The residents who couldn't make it to the lounge, the team made sure to visit them in their rooms with all the options available and helped them to find the right size for them.

Shopping helps to reduce stress and improve physical wellbeing. Shopping among the elderly is related to increased walking that can improve heart health as well as balance and coordination.

National Ice Cream Day

Perfectly timed in the middle of a heatwave, staff and residents at White Lodge had a fantastic time celebrating National Ice Cream Day with a visit from an ice cream van, a brilliant excuse to sample lots of cooling treats.

One of the residents said: “I absolutely love ice cream! There really isn’t anything nicer on a hot summer’s day. I have always enjoyed Mr Whippy, the taste took me back to my childhood!”

Hawaiian Themed Day

In our last residents meeting the residents requested if they can go to the beach. the team came together to give the residents a beach vibe this afternoon with a Hawaiian Day!

We decorated the gazebo with colourful bunting, tropical hanging swirls, grass table skirt and rattan garden furniture. Our photo booth was decorated with beach party backdrop. There were tropic garlands and hats to wear to go with the tropical look.

Our Tikki bar and snack shack were full with delicious cakes, sweets and drinks prepared by our talented chefs. Special thanks to David to entertain our residents with some mesmerising summer songs.

Cruising Along to Wichelstowe

The residents, families and staff went out for a boat trip today to Wichelstowe.

We spent a great time with Wilts & Berks Canal WBCT Dragonfly Boat Trips. Our wonderful volunteers were kind enough to arrange a charter boat trip for us on a weekday!

One of the residents said, there is always something different going on at White Lodge, and she also wanted to know where we are going for our next trip? Any suggestions greatly received.

We all had such a fabulous day on the water, topped of with ice creams on our way home.

Monthly Church Service

Today the residents requested if we can hold the service outside as they think we are lucky to have the surroundings here and we should make the most of it! It’s great to see the residents connecting and hosting regular religious services in the home gives the residents something to look forward to.

It helps them form a routine which may minimise stress and help them feel calm and in control. Thanks to David and Liz from St Mary's, Purton for visiting us.

Ray Rocks the Crowd

The White Lodge resident had a musical afternoon with Ray Dolphin playing keyboard, singing and dancing with us. He sang all the classic hits from 1950's, 1960's and 1970's. We are looking forward to his next visit!

One of the cornerstones of our life enrichment program is live musical entertainment. Resident involvement in choosing genres along with feedback after each performance means that we are able to constantly improve our activities calendar.