It was a truly moving and memorable occasion in the heart of Epping as the local community came together to honour and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives for our freedom.

At Ashlar House, we were incredibly proud of our very own Charlie, who had the special honour of taking part in the Remembrance Day parade and laying a wreath on behalf of everyone at Ashlar House. The day was filled with pride, reflection and a wonderful sense of community spirit. Charlie had the opportunity to meet members of the local community and proudly stand alongside others who were laying wreaths in remembrance of those we have lost.

It was a particularly touching moment to see people of all generations standing together, united in respect, gratitude and remembrance. For Charlie, being part of such an important occasion was a meaningful experience, creating special memories and a real sense of pride and belonging within the community.

We are so proud of Charlie for representing Ashlar House with such dignity and respect. Moments like these remind us just how important it is to remain connected with our local community, share meaningful experiences and honour the traditions that bring us all together. A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in organising such a beautiful Remembrance Day service.

We will remember them. Lest we forget.    

Residents recently enjoyed a wonderful autumn-themed arts and crafts session, using real leaves collected from our garden and the local area to create beautiful collages and mixed-media artwork. The activity brought in lots of creativity, with each piece reflecting the colours and textures of the season. Geoffrey requested some Rod Stewart favourites. 

As the music filled the room, residents sang along, shared stories, enjoyed hot drinks and even took to the floor for a little dancing. Geoffrey said: “It was a lovely afternoon. The music brought back so many happy memories, and I really enjoyed seeing everyone chatting, singing to some of my favourite songs.” Combining music and creativity made the afternoon’s activity warm and engaging for everyone.         

At Atfield House, our Harvest-Halloween Festival was full of colourful displays of pumpkins. Residents also enjoyed pumpkin carving, and had a taste of the pumpkin soup that our chef made for lunch. It was delicious and even served from a giant pumpkin. 
Our residents enjoyed a bit of Trick or Treat from room to room, choosing their favourite chocolates.     

Staff members and our visiting children, who joined us for Trick and Treat in the evening, also enjoyed filling their bags and buckets with sweets.  

We decided to do something different at Peony Court, and our residents had the opportunity to taste and compare a selection of dry, medium and sweet sherries. The tasting provided a wonderful chance to discover the unique flavours of each style while spending time together in good company. 

Residents compared notes and shared their favourites, with the medium sherry emerging as the clear winner of the day. Betty summed up the afternoon perfectly, saying, "I enjoyed trying the different sherries and comparing the flavours. The medium sherry was just right for me, smooth, well-balanced and very enjoyable." The tasting was a nice social occasion for residents to try something new.  

As the evening sky lit up with beautiful sparkles, our residents enjoyed the magic of Bonfire Night!

With delicious hot beverages ready to keep everyone warm, it was a lovely evening filled with excitement, smiles and togetherness.

Sometimes, it’s the simplest moments that create the warmest memories. A little sparkle in the sky, a warm drink in hand and wonderful company made the evening extra special!

Here’s to lighting up the night and creating beautiful memories together!       

At Atfield House we like to celebrate diverse cultural festivals that everyone can enjoy together. This year our Diwali Celebrations at Atfield House were full of surprises. The home was decorated with colourful garlands and candles lighted the tables. 

The Diwali sweets were arranged like rangoli patterns on plates, and the savoury treats, ready to serve! When staff members transformed into colourful and elegant dancers and entertained our residents and their visitors with joyful and energetic dances. Everyone clapped along and enjoyed tasting the savoury and sweet treats. Residents said how much they enjoyed the colourful outfits and the graceful dances and enjoyed the warm and joyful atmosphere.        

Thank you to everyone who helped to make the festival so enjoyable! Happy Diwali!  

It was a truly memorable Bonfire Night at Peony Court as we came together to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night and bid a heartfelt farewell to our much-loved Head Chef, Chris, as he begins his retirement. Residents, families, colleagues and friends gathered to thank Chris for his years of dedication, friendship and exceptional service.    

Sharing his reflections on his time at Peony Court, Chris said, “It’s been like a family at Peony. I got to know the residents, I had a good time working with my colleagues, and I will miss everyone. My mind wants to stay, but my body says it is time. We wish Chris a happy, healthy and well-deserved retirement and thank him for the lasting impact he has made on our Peony Court family.

A very special occasion for our home as we celebrated Blerta Cesula being named National Winner – Activities Coordinator of the Year 2026 at the Barchester Care Awards!

Presented by Anna Shiley, Chief Customer Officer, the award was announced with the words:
“And the winner is… Blerta Cesula from Waterside Court!”

A truly unforgettable moment and a tremendous achievement!

We brought everyone together at Waterside Court for a special celebration, sharing the excitement, enjoying the party and raising a glass to mark this wonderful occasion. We would like to say a heartfelt thank you to our residents, relatives, community partners and colleagues for their continued encouragement, support and involvement. Every shared experience and relationship has helped make this journey so meaningful.    

This recognition is not just about an award; it is about the people, connections and experiences that make our home what it is. We are incredibly proud to celebrate this achievement together and grateful to everyone who has been part of it.

One wonderful achievement, many people behind it, and a very proud Waterside Court family!

Today was all about getting creative and getting stuck into some good old-fashioned pumpkin carving! Laura, Sam and Sheena were just a few of the residents who really got involved, enjoying getting their hands in and having a go. Duncan was busy working on his round pumpkins, and it was lovely to see him enjoying every minute!     

For some, it brought back lovely memories of years gone by, carving pumpkins with their own children and remembering how they used to do it all those years ago. 

Everyone had a say in choosing the faces and designs they wanted, and once we'd picked our favourites, I got busy with the carving to bring their ideas to life!

It's not always about the finished pumpkin; it's about the memories, the conversations, the laughter and giving everyone the chance to do things they remember and enjoy.