Celebrating life at Barchester

On the 4th February, the residents enjoyed joining World Read Aloud Day. We had a lovely afternoon sharing short stories, poetry and limericks as well as reminiscing about childhood stories we all loved and shared with our own children and grandchildren. World Read Aloud Day is celebrated on the first Wednesday in February and takes place on February 4 this year. 

This is a day dedicated not just to reading, but to the art and practice of reading aloud. Stories were passed down from generation to generation even before writing was invented. Oral forms of storytelling were the earliest way of preserving human knowledge, insight, and creativity. This day helps us bring this tradition back to reading while promoting literacy.     

Residents enjoying an afternoon with Tom Byrne our Valentines count down has started. Lots of singing, dancing and laughter. Residents at Field House feel like they know other homes when it comes to a party. They all enjoy nothing more than a good dance and getting each other up as well. 

Resident ambassador Jean chose not to join each other as she was feeling under the weather. She was so disappointed, so we thought: why don’t we live stream it for her? So we did!

She was so happy to watch all the goings-on through a live stream in the comfort of her room and was very thankful.     

Residents enjoying an afternoon with Tom Byrne our Valentines count down has started. Lots of singing, dancing and laughter. Residents at Field House feel like they know other homes when it comes to a party. They all enjoy nothing more than a good dance and getting each other up as well. 

Resident ambassador Jean chose not to join each other as she was feeling under the weather. She was so disappointed, so we thought: why don’t we live stream it for her? So we did!

She was so happy to watch all the goings-on through live stream in the comfort of her room and was very thankful.     

Celebrating Molly’s 106th Birthday with a glass of champagne while reading her card from the King! 

Molly enjoyed a morning surrounded by staff, family and friends, and still amazed everyone with her fantastic stories of her life. Unknown to Molly, she spent the afternoon with her daughters for a surprise party with family and her great, great-grandchild. Molly will always say the key to a long happy life is to keep active and healthy. 

Celebrating Molly’s 106th Birthday with a glass of champagne while reading her card from the King! 

Molly enjoyed a morning surrounded by staff, family and friends, and still amazed everyone with her fantastic stories of her life. Unknown to Molly, she spent the afternoon with her daughters for a surprise party with family and her great, great-grandchild. Molly will always say the key to a long happy life is to keep active and healthy 

Residents enjoyed a creative morning arranging their flowers for Valentine’s Day and the smell of roses filled the air! Sallie said it took her back when she used to plant flowers in her garden. The beautiful finished vases are now on display around the home for all to enjoy. 

Flower arranging in a care home is a popular, therapeutic activity that boosts residents' mental, physical, and emotional well-being by stimulating cognitive function, enhancing fine motor skills through, and encouraging socialization. It offers a creative outlet for self-expression, reduces stress, and fosters a sense of pride and accomplishment as residents create personal displays, often using familiar flowers to trigger positive memories.      

Every Wednesday, our Farnham dining room transforms into a hub of friendly rivalry for our weekly Dominoes Club. This session has become a non-negotiable highlight of the week, with residents always double-checking the schedule to ensure their midweek match is ready to go.

The atmosphere is always brilliant—filled with non-stop laughter, lively catching up, and the occasional tongue-in-cheek joke about "cheating" that keeps everyone smiling.

We recently had a spectacular performance from Hazel, who may have set a new house record! She managed to win a staggering 8 out of 11 games in a single morning. Whether it’s a tactical masterclass or just a chance for a good natter, the passion our residents show for the game is wonderful to see.      

One of our dining rooms in Thistle Hill was recently transformed into a vibrant art studio for our very first Paint Your Way session. This week, our talented residents gathered for a "very fun and colourful hour" of creative expression.

The session provides a relaxed space for residents to explore their artistic talents. The results were truly heart-warming: Heather, who hadn't painted in years, shared that the experience "made a girl very happy," while Hazel produced some lovely portraits. Sheila also joined the fun, experimenting with bold colours and textures to create a unique masterpiece.

Everyone involved left feeling incredibly proud of their creations. We believe these social activities are vital for fostering a sense of community and purpose. We are already looking forward to our next session.       

On 12th February, our Ripley Lounge was filled with the beautiful sounds of the harp and plenty of laughter for our Harp and Happiness session. Residents, families, and friends gathered together to enjoy a wonderful live-streamed performance by the talented Marian O’Toole.

The music truly brought the room to life, sparking a massive sing-along that had everyone involved. From the classic "Sweet Caroline" to fantastic Beatles and Celtic medleys, the energy was infectious. Malcolm blew us all away by showcasing his impressive vocal skills, and we discovered that Hazel is a secret music expert—she knew every single word to every song!

It was a heart-warming afternoon that reminded us all how much joy a simple melody can bring to our home.