Celebrating life at Barchester

Celebrations have been in full swing at Hafan Y Coed as one of our residents becomes a Great-Great Grandmother at the age of 89. Mrs Marjorie Jones, from Dafen, Llanelli marked the remarkable milestone of five generations of her family coming together as she proudly held her Great-Great Grandson Alfie Paul. She was joined by our staff, family members and friends to celebrate the special occasion. Before moving into our home, Marjorie lived in Dafen and was well known in the community as a much loved dinner lady at Dafen primary school, where she spent many years caring for generations of local children.

Adding to the significance of the celebration, Marie, who works as the Lead activities Coordinator in our home, shared her thoughts on the emotional milestone saying “I can’t believe we now have five generations. We achieved this many years ago on my Mother’s side of the family and I never thought we would achieve this years later on my Father’s side. It’s a moment I will cherish forever witnessing my own Grandmother hold my first Grandchild. It is incredibly special to us as a family. Despite my Grandmother living with Dementia, children have always meant much to her and holding him brought her visible joy.”

Supporting residents to enjoy outings, getting a breath of fresh air and other trips is a key aspect of the weekly activities calendar. 

As the snow fell some of the Residents decided that they would like a brisk outing and there were giggles and smiles as they made snowballs and took a trip in the brisk fresh air. Could they be heard sing "There's walking in the air"?

By taking regular feedback from our Residents the Lifestyle enrichment team tailor the daily activities.

Residents, families, and members of the local community gathered at today, for a crucial information session dedicated to future planning and legal protection.

The event, hosted from Dorset and Wight, featuring speaker Lee Skilton, who guided attendees through the often-complex world of estate planning. The session was praised by guests for its informal and accessible tone, making daunting legal topics easy to understand.

Throughout the morning, Lee addressed a wide range of essential topics, answering a flurry of questions from the engaged audience., included Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA),Will Management, An explanation of Tenancy in Common and how it can be used to protect a spouse should a partner need to enter long-term care.
Capacity and Wishes along with ensuring that wishes are legally recorded and assured before a potential loss of capacity occurs.

One guest attendee Paul commented: "Legal matters can be so overwhelming, but Lee kept it so informal and easy to understand. I feel much more confident about the steps I need to take now."

Larissa Bledea, General Manager at Elm Bank Care Home, added:
"We are thrilled to have hosted such a well-attended event. At Elm Bank, we aim to be a hub of support for our Kettering neighbours. Providing a space where people can get clear, professional advice on things like Power of Attorney and Will writing is vital for the wellbeing of the whole family."

If you were unable to attend, we will be having another evening session later in the year and inviting Lee back, look our for our events on Facebook and our website or by contacting the home directly. 
 

The methods and mediums may change but the heart of live music - the communal joy, the shared emotions, the collective energy - remains untouched. As we look to the future, one thing is clear: live music will continue to be a cherished experience at Woodside House, even as its form and format evolve.

Our Residents enjoyed a visit from Chris today who performed all the classic 50 and 60s favourites. There were toes tapping, hands clapping and everyone joined in to sing along.

We recently held a fabulous party to celebrate the anniversary of Elvis Presley’s birthday, and it was truly unforgettable. Our lounge was transformed as an Elvis impersonator took to the floor, dressed in classic style and singing all the hits everyone knows and loves. As soon as he began crooning “Wise men say, only fools rush in” smiles spread across the room and a few hearts began gently fluttering.

Our residents clapped, sang along, and some of our lovely ladies were clearly swept off their feet as “Love me tender, love me sweet” filled the air. The energy lifted even more when he moved into upbeat favourites from Jailhouse Rock, bringing laughter and toe-tapping fun.

The celebration was full of music, memories, and joy, proving that Elvis’s charm still works its magic across generations. It was a wonderful way to celebrate an icon and create special moments together.

We were delighted to welcome a very special visitor to our home when Santa Claus came to spend time with our residents, spreading festive cheer and plenty of smiles. Santa didn’t come alone – he was joined by a young boy dressed as a cheerful little elf who helped make the visit even more magical.

Together they visited every resident, taking the time to sit, chat, and share a laugh. Santa’s warm personality quickly filled the rooms with joy and there were lots of smiles as stories were shared. One of the funniest moments came when residents couldn’t resist joking with Santa about his big belly, which he took in great spirit, laughing along and saying it was all thanks to too many mince pies.

The visit created a wonderful atmosphere of happiness and connection, reminding everyone of the magic of Christmas. It was a truly heart-warming day that our residents will remember fondly.