Celebrating life at Barchester

At Ashfields Care Home we support and encourage our residents to continue doing the things they love whilst also making new friends. We hold regular activities that help or residents use cognitive and motor skills to provide holistic benefits that enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of residents.

Our Residents enjoyed a trip to the garden centre before filling the homes planters with vibrant spring colours to brighten up Ashfields' garden. Our Residents are encouraged to continue their favourite hobbies whilst enjoying life at the home.

What a wonderful nostalgic afternoon we had at Crandon Springs Care Home as the D Day Dollies performed a special wartime-themed show to commemorate VE Day.

Dressed in authentic vintage costumes, the talented duo entertained our residents with wartime classics, uplifting songs, dance routines and singalongs, bringing smiles and memories to everyone who attended. Our residents also enjoyed meeting the performers after the show for photos and salutes.

Events like this are meaningful to our residents, many of whom have personal memories or family connections to wartime experiences. The D Day Dollies brought us together to share those memories while enjoying a wonderful musical performance.

Regular outings are just one aspect of our life enrichment program and all the trips we take are at the request of the residents. Our monthly activities calendar boasts a range of outings and entertainment.

Our Lifestyle enrichment programme ensures that our Residents enjoy trips out as part of their weekly planner. This week they visited one of the two Cathedrals in Norwich and this time it was St John The Baptist Roman Catholic Cathedral. Thye took time to enjoy the historic architecture and stunning stain glassed windows.

By taking regular feedback and requests from our residents we can enhance our life enrichment program to suit the interests of the residents.

The Ashlar House team, alongside our wonderful families and local business networking community, came together with one shared purpose to make a difference. What started as a simple idea grew into something truly special, as we united to raise an incredible £500.

This journey was sparked by Sharon, who first promoted her Managing Director, Angela Bradford, and the Barchester charity cook-off during a networking event, a moment of inspiration that brought people together and set everything in motion. The attendees were inspired by the amazing charities Barchester Healthcare supports, and they also joined in with the fundraising.
At the heart of it all, Rita took on the unique challenge of a sponsored silence, a quiet act that spoke volumes. Through her effort, and the support of so many, we stood proudly beside Angela and a cause that touches lives in the most meaningful ways.

A heartfelt thank you to Mitchell from Cadets for generously printing our cheque, a small gesture that helped bring this moment to life.

Barchester’s Charitable Foundation is dedicated to helping older people and adults living with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, or mental health challenges across England, Scotland, and Wales.

Their work focusses on reconnecting people with their communities, easing loneliness, and creating opportunities for joy, movement, and togetherness.

Through grants that support mobility, group activities, and wellbeing, they help individuals rediscover connection and live fuller, more enriched lives.

Residents’ families joined us for an enjoyable afternoon at our Badgeworth Court baking masterclass, led by our award-winning Head Chef. Our guests rolled up their sleeves to learn the art of choux pastry, perfected light scones and sponges, and finished their creations by decorating éclairs with diplomat cream and rich chocolate ganache.

There was plenty of tasting along the way, and everyone left with a box of their homemade treats. 

The event formed part of Barchester’s Charity Cook-off, in support of the Barchester Charitable Foundation. Alongside the masterclass, we hosted a sumptuous afternoon tea, sold boxes of chef’s beautifully decorated cupcakes, and ran a cake raffle, raising more than £250 in total to help vulnerable people and those living with disabilities connect with their local communities.    

Voices full of emotion, memories, and faith joined together with the worship band, beautiful, heartfelt voices rising together, reaching the heavens. 

It was a moment of pure connection, where time seemed to stand still and hearts spoke louder than words.  

A huge thank you to Trudi for kindly donating the piano. 

Your generosity has already brought so much joy to our residents, and we are incredibly grateful!    

Daisy was a huge hit with both residents and staff, and everyone really enjoyed meeting her. There were lots of smiles, conversation, and laughter as people had the chance to see such a gentle and fascinating little character up close.

Daisy brought so much joy to the home and made the day extra special. Thank you, Daisy, for brightening our day – we hope to see you again soon!