Activities at Windmill Manor Care Home

Our residents enjoyed a trip out to The Bluebell Railway.
We set off from East Grinstead Station along the Bluebell Railway heading towards Sheffield Park Station.
The views were amazing and we travelled past some historic stations.

On arrival at Sheffield Park, we enjoyed a picnic lunch prepared by our chef, then visited the Museum, giving us amazing information about the railway and steam engines.

We reminisced over a cup of tea before our return journey on the steam engine.

The residents at Windmill Manor enjoyed a visit from Maggie, a volunteer puppy raiser for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, and beautiful Amelia a 9 month old German Shepherd.

Maggie talked to us about what is included in being a puppy raiser, how they provide a 6-8 week old puppy with the vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog.

They look after the puppy for the first 12-16 months and will guide them through training, socialisation, and introduce them to new environments, while providing a loving home.

There might be the odd chewed slipper along the way, but nothing beats the rewarding feeling of loving and raising a puppy who will go on to make an enormous difference to someone living with sight loss.

To remember the D-Day landings on the 6th of June 1944, we had an afternoon of music and discussion – we remembered how people’s lives were impacted by D-Day and the bravery and sacrifice of so many, which we are forever grateful for.  

We were joined by the D-Day Dollies who sang traditional war time songs which everyone knew and sang along to.     

Residents, families and staff at Windmill Manor Barchester Care Home in Hurst Green, Oxted put the ‘fun’ into ‘fundraising’ with a Family Charity Quiz Night to raise money for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation. 
Windmill Manor will continue to fundraise on Saturday 4th April by holding a Family Fun Day. 

Lots of fun activities have been planned for everyone of all ages, and not forgetting our yearly Children’s Bunny Hunt, allowing the children from our local community to come and enjoy it. This year we are hatching ducklings which we are sure you would love to see. This event is complimentary, but all donations are very welcome.

Maria Wedd, General Manager at Windmill Manor, said: “We love to fundraise for charities throughout the year. We pick different causes to support that have been selected by staff, residents and friends of the home. Barchester’s Charitable Foundation is a great cause that helps many people in need, so we feel really proud to be able to raise this money. Thank you to everyone who donated!”    

A lovely afternoon spent at Haskins Garden Centre.

The residents of Windmill Manor loved looking around and enjoyed the delicious selection of cakes.    

A few ladies from Windmill Manor enjoyed a flower arranging demonstration at the local Head2Head Memory Café at the Barn Hub, in Crowhurst near Oxted.

The Barn Hub is a vibrant community space dedicated to fostering creativity, learning and connection. It is a perfect place allowing our residents to enjoy different activities within the local community, where they can explore their passions.

We had such a lovely morning watching the demonstration and then making our own arrangements, and taking the knowledge back to our home to share with others.     

Gardening Club is a great hit in the home, and we have been having fun caring for the raised beds, which are coming along very nicely. 

We have been focussing on growing flowers and herbs this year which are all just coming into bloom and are growing flowers on the terrace balcony – residents really enjoy taking care of the plants, watering them when needed.    

Staff and residents at Windmill Manor Care Home in Hurst Green are over the moon because their inspirational Managing Director, Michelle Macadangdang, from Barchester’s South East Division, and her team of fellow MDs have really brought home the bacon and won the Barchester Charitable Foundation Cook Off 2026.

Michelle’s team, the Pressure Cookers, made up of Managing Directors and a Hospital Director from five of Barchester’s divisions, went head-to-head with members of Barchester’s Executive team, the Rolling Scones, to cook up a storm and win the coveted Cook Off crown whilst raising vital funds for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation. With money still coming in, so far the Cook Off 2026 has raised an extraordinary £53,000.

The Charitable Foundation helps connect vulnerable people and those living with a disability to community groups in their local area by providing grants to improve mobility and quality of life.  Each year the Foundation distributes thousands of pounds to individuals, small community groups and charities across England, Scotland and Wales.  In 2025 the Foundation achieved a donation milestone of £424,000 which enabled the charity to provide vital help to a staggering 262 small groups and charities, plus 123 individuals in one year alone.

Windmill Manor Managers got pied to raise money for the Barchester Charitable Fund.

General Manger Maria Wedd and Administrator Dipam Gore-Patel took it in the face like true champs.

We managed to raise £234 in total for the Charity. Plus everyone had a laugh! 

The Residents of Windmill Manor Barchester Care Home had a great time planning, baking and decorating this year’s entry
for the Barchester Easter Cake Competition.

We made a traditional Victoria Sponge cake, filled with fresh cream and strawberry jam.

Decorated with lemon butter icing, lemon cheese cake bites, mini eggs and chicks, with a meringue nest in the centre.  

The residents at Windmill Manor enjoyed a visit from Maggie, a volunteer puppy raiser for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, and beautiful Amelia, a 9-month-old German Shepherd. Maggie talked to us about what is included in being a puppy raiser.

How they provide a 6–8 week-old puppy with the vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog. They look after the puppy for the first 12–16 months and will guide them through training, socialisation, and introduce them to new environments, while providing a loving home.

There might be the odd chewed slipper along the way, but nothing beats the rewarding feeling of loving and raising a puppy who will go on to make an enormous difference to someone living with sight loss.

Each Friday we run an afternoon Sherry Club, which is going down a treat and gives a lovely opportunity for residents and visitors to catch up at the end of a busy week. 

It has been very popular to sit and have a tipple and snacks in the afternoon. Family are welcome to join their loved ones for a tipple and a quick fun quiz.

Residents at Windmill Manor welcomed 5 duckling eggs into their home to hatch. After just three days, the first eggs began to crack and the residents, staff and visitors watched in amazement as these little creatures emerged.

Once dried and fluffy, we transferred them to their pen where they would grow for the next week, and boy did they grow!         

They brought so much joy, chirping away, we were able to let them have a swim, by filling a large tub with water, a rock in the middle, representing an island all in the comfort of our lounge.

Our Ducklings have now been adopted by a grandson of a resident of Windmill Manor who owns a small holding in South Godstone who is sharing photographs of our beautiful furry friends as they grow.   

A live performance by saxophonist Michael Lack, followed by a special Cream Tea is how we spent Mother’s Day.

Multiple families arrived to spend the day with their Mothers, we remembered the Mothers we have lost, and the Mothers who has lost children. 

A great day was had by all.    

Windmill Manor Care Home, in Hurst Green, Oxted, was filled with flowers, cards and sweets in celebration of St Valentine’s Day. 

Staff and residents celebrated the day of love with a Live Musical Performance dedicated to Valentine’s Day by Annalene Beechey, an actress, singer with over 20 years’ experience in theatre. 

This was followed by a special Valentine’s lunch for our residents and spouses to enjoy together.