Celebrating life at Barchester

In recent months, Tyspane residents and children from Caen School have been taking part in an exciting initiative called the ‘Open Arms Dance and Music Project’ run by the Devon Dance Company. 

Weekly rehearsals have taken place, with residents singing and playing instruments, whilst the children interpret the music in dance. A special ‘Song for Spring’ has also been written by the residents and children. A finale performance was planned, with invitations going out to friends and families, but sadly this has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

To the delight of the residents, children from Caen School delivered letters, drawings, homemade quizzes, and artwork to cheer the residents and keep in touch, in the hope that the project will go-ahead in the future

We were delighted to accept the children’s art work. It has brought a great deal of pleasure to our residents, who are unable to go out or receive visitors. It has brought a touch of colour to their day and has made a big difference to their well-being.

The children who usually visit from South Ottenington School have sent letters to our staff and residents to tell them they really being able to visit our home. We photocopied these letters and made a booklet, so all residents cot a copy to read, which they all loved. This has now become a regular thing!

Resident, Eileen, experienced her very first video call over Skype to her daughter. As you can see, this lifted her spirits in these difficult times!

We were delighted to receive some wonderful pictures, poems and letters from our local school and children in the community. There were smiles all round from both residents and staff.

Bradshaw Manor residents were very lucky: our local gym hosted a live exercise class via webcam for our residents to join in with! The gym will be doing these session at 9am every morning to start our residents' days off! Our residents loved their first session and cannot wait to join in with the next one.

Thanks to all of your amazing staff on Robin ward, Longueville Court for keeping me in touch with my sister via skype and keeping her safe and well

Thank you all, but especially to your amazing team at Kernow House, Launceston. My mum in law is so well cared for and happy. We had a lovely Skype link with her yesterday and she was well supported throughout by her carer. Can't say a big enough thank you.

We have received some beautiful paintings of rainbows over the last few days from children in our community who are painting rainbows to put in their windows in a bid to spread hope and positivity amid the coronavirus self-isolation period. We were thrilled to receive such lovely paintings and have placed them in residents' windows for everyone to see.

Residents and colleagues at Lawton Rise were delighted to answer the door to accept a special delivery from their local TK Maxx, who were closing their doors temporarily due to the coronavirus. The bags were filled with delicious treats for residents and the homes hard-working, dedicated team at Lawton Rise.

On behalf of Lawton Rise, residents and colleagues would like to pass on their gratitude for being considered at this time of uncertainty and hope everyone stays safe and well. It was such a nice gesture thinking of us care homes and everyone joining forces to keep the community spirit together.

Residents and colleagues at Lindum House were delighted to answer the door whilst playing their favourite game of bingo to accept a special delivery from their local TK Maxx in Kingswood, who were closing their doors temporarily due to the coronavirus. The bags were filled with delicious treats for residents and our hardworking, dedicated team.

On behalf of Lindum House, residents and colleagues would like to pass on their gratitude for being considered at this time of uncertainty, and hope everyone stays safe and well. 

We have embraced technology here with Skype so that residents can talk to their families.

Felicity is enjoying a call with her daughter, Caroline. At first, some of our residents struggled with the fact that they could see their loved ones "on TV", but now we are making regular calls daily and thoroughly enjoying this brilliant thing called Skype.

We were lucky enough to receive some letters from local school children of Hampton Gardens. We read through the letters and wrote each child a personal reply. We hope to write to them weekly with a meeting planned for when this awful virus has gone! The residents thoroughly enjoyed putting their writing skills to the test, and their replies were just perfect!

We have started a pen pal scheme between our residents and pupils from a local school. They have sent us pictures & short letters and the residents will be replying to them in the next few days.

My dad has dementia and Alzhiemers and receives excellent care and support from the wonderful staff at Lancaster Grange. Xx

Tesco came in at the weekend and delivered bananas to our residents as a gesture of goodwill, which made a great deal of residents smile at the sight. They will not go to waste as they have already been tucked into, and the remainder will go towards making some delicious smoothies.

This year this very special day was different; due to national restrictions caused by COVID-19, our proactive team used technology such as Skype, FaceTime and phones so our lovely residents were able to communicate with their close relatives and friends. Lots of flowers and cards were received, which were disinfected before being delivered to residents. Our team made everything possible to ensure that such a special day was celebrated well.

Our lovely neighbours are sending rainbows of solidarity to our residents in this difficult time of COVID-19. Our lovely community sending also cards for our residents and team to keep spirits up.

A big thank you to Morrisons for the donation of a FREE Easter egg for every resident and staff member. They also gifted Werrington Lodge enough hot cross buns to see us all the way through this pandemic.