Celebrating life at Barchester

We recently took a trip out in the minibus to Battle to see the amazing Remembrance Day poppy display at St Mary’s church. They had 10,000 handmade poppies to mark 80 years since the end of World War Two. The residents were mesmerised by the beautiful sight. 

The journey was also a source of delight as the wonderful autumnal colours were in full array.   

We are nice organised already and have been on an outing to Hilliers Garden Centre to make a start on our Christmas shopping. They had a wonderful choice of gifts and decorations to look at. We always make sure there is time for a trip to the café for some light refreshments. 

We will be returning again before Christmas.    

Our baking club is very popular here at Sycamore Grove. We have spent many an afternoon together in the dining room preparing all sorts of treats. 

In the last few weeks, we have made ginger biscuits, bread rolls, shortbread, and we have also made a start to this year’s Christmas cake.  

Pudsey crafting within our home. This was designed by one of our new creative residents, starting out from a simple picture on a napkin! This was loved by the table completing the creative and by all of our residents, as it was displayed centrally in our Main Dining Room. 

As a follow-up, the completed Pudsey was taken round all the communal areas of the home and room visits too as a bedside activity. Also, within our Coffee Morning, our Activities team incorporated a ‘guess the children in need fundraising total.’  

Our Dementia Champion Kathy and her husband Colin took it upon themselves to give our Memory Lane courtyard and rose gardens a good tidy up and fill our flower pots with colour. Here are just a few of the photos taken during the activity. The activity crossed the whole home within the day. 

Thank you both for your initiative and kindness. This has added a lot of life enrichment to our residents! A resident said the following: “It’s definitely improved. It will be interesting to see how the growth of the garden turns out. We can watch the flowers grow. I am very keen on flowers and non-hard work gardening. The tidying of the garden is excellent. I am not going to be worried about tripping over or anything.”    

We took a drive out in our mini bus to see the remembrance displays in surrounding villages, taking in Kingscliffe, Easton On The Hill and Duddington. Denise was fabulous on this trip, whilst Caroline drove, detailing lots of history of the locality and reading through all the remembrance displays to our residents. They all confirmed that the trip had been really fascinating. 

Our home really enjoys driving out in the mini-bus, as opposed to necessarily one location. We get to cover so much on one outing. We share a lot through conversation and reminiscing and, through doing so, get to know one another in much more detail.     

Staff and residents at Dudwell St Mary care home, in Burwash, East Sussex, are celebrating their fantastic General Manager and Unit Manager.  

Emma Rich-Spice, Senior General Manager, was nominated for two care awards and was selected as a finalist at both. Emma has worked in care for over twenty-five years and was announced as a runner-up and highly commended in the outstanding contribution to health and social care category at the East Sussex Care Awards. She was also nominated at the Female Business Awards for health, beauty and wellbeing business of the year for Dudwell St Mary, the only care home to be a finalist. Nick Stefanescu from Dudwell St Mary was also a runner-up for nurse of the year at the East Sussex Care Awards. Emma said: “I am super proud and honoured to be nominated for these awards and super proud of my team. Nick, the rest of my team and residents inspire me every day in everything I do.”

Dudwell St Mary is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals. Dudwell St Mary provides nursing care and respite care.   

Residents at South Grange have been enjoying an engaging new exercise class led by activity staff and our physiotherapist Adrian, who brought plenty of enthusiasm and expert guidance to the session. He shared useful tips and tricks on how to move safely and confidently, encouraging everyone to participate at their own pace. Adrian demonstrated gentle stretches, seated exercises, and proper techniques for standing up from a chair, helping residents build strength and improve mobility. 

His clear instructions and supportive approach made the class both educational and enjoyable. Residents did great and enjoyed practising the movements together, feeling motivated and reassured. The new class proved to be a positive addition to the weekly routine, prompting wellbeing and boosting confidence within each resident.   

Residents at South Grange enjoyed a warm and cheerful celebration of National Sherry Week as activity staff made special deliveries around the home to residents in their rooms and in the lounges. The thoughtful visits brought smiles and friendly conversation, creating a sense of connection throughout the home. Each resident received a small treat tray, allowing them to relax with a sip of sherry and a bite of buttery shortbread whilst reminiscing about past celebrations. 

Residents had the choice between a tasty cream sherry or a nice medium dry sherry. The staff’s personal touch and festive spirit helped the occasion feel meaningful, even for those who prefer to stay in their rooms. The simple gesture of bringing the celebration directly to residents added comfort and joy to their day. The afternoon brought smiles and chatter all around the home.