Celebrating life at Barchester

Had a lovely video call this morning. It helps so much to be able to see and talk to dad during these difficult days. Thank you so much. To the staff and management in Balclutha - you are all beyond amazing. Thank you so much for all you do for your residents and families every single day but especially just now. Heroes.

Residents of Threshfield Court have been busy making rainbows, which they have displayed at the entrance of the home. Resident, Alec, was also delighted to read correspondence and art work from some of the home's local schools: Upper Wharfedale School and Grassington and Cracoe Primary School. Alec really enjoyed his time looking and reading all the correspondence. It truly is community spirit at its finest.

The idea is that members of community display rainbows in their windows so that children can go ‘rainbow spotting’ when out for their exercise with family. The colourful displays are brightening up everyone’s day! The Facebook group has over 90,000 members and the home is delighted to be part of the community spirit.

Residents of Sherwood Court have been busy making rainbows, which they have displayed on windows throughout the home in recognition of the NHS and all the care key-workers out there. 

The idea is that members of community display rainbows in their windows so that children can go ‘rainbow spotting’ when out for their exercise with family. The colourful displays are brightening up everyone’s day! The Facebook group has over 90,000 members and the home is delighted to be part of the community spirit.

Could you please thank the member of your fantastic staff that enabled me to speak to my beloved auntie via skype. My connection dropped out before I could say thank you in person for facilitating the call. That member of staff will never know how much that meant to me and my children. Thank you all.

Hazel enjoyed playing the piano in our main lounge wearing a protective mask. Despite all that is going on around us, the residents keep their spirits up and keep doing what they enjoy while also bringing pleasure to others (within an ear shot).

Residents and colleagues at Sherwood Lodge were delighted to answer the door to accept a special delivery from their local food outlet, Zebra. The boxes were filled with fresh produce of fruit and vegetables for everyone to enjoy during this difficult period.

On behalf of Sherwood Lodge, 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.

Residents and staff came together to create a lovely rainbow tree. We hung inspiring words and quotes to uplift each other and bring some sunshine to our home.

Residents at Henford have been busy making rainbows in support of our NHS staff at this difficult time. They have been displayed in our window for all to see. We even received a lovely email from a neighbour along with a picture of her 3 year old with her rainbow. They had seen the pictures during their walk and wanted to share their own rainbow with the residents.

The care and attention given to my Mother whilst she has been looked after cannot be faulted. Management and staff have been exemplary and I would defy anyone to find fault with any aspect of the service. The Barchester Company should be congratulated and North Park given a special accolade!!

Here at Woodside, social distancing isn’t stopping us from working out!

At Woodhorn Park, residents and colleagues were delighted to receive bags of treats from local Avon representative, Kasie, following a community appeal to recognise the hardworking staff at the home. 

The home feels so blessed to have such an amazing support network from our community, with the local church, interest groups and community all supporting us, and it is now that the support we have received has shined brighter than ever. The efforts and extra steps that people have gone to is extraordinary and we are forever grateful.

Everyone is now looking forward to a little pampering!

To combat loneliness and isolation, colleagues of Woodhorn Park reached out to the community as part of their extended social network to seek pen-pals of all ages. We reached out to nurseries, schools and members of the community to remain connected during the current coronavirus crisis. 

Residents of the home were delighted to read their first delivery ny the pupils from Bishop’s Primary School, Thomas Bewick Campus and kind words from Lacey, daughter of the home's district nurse, Steph.

Residents were delighted to receive colourful pictures and letters delivered to the home. Thank you for adding a little colour and sunshine to our resident’s day and for your heartfelt messages.  

Our residents and staff wanted to do something to help feel connected to those outside that may be passing by, so we decided to go ahead and make a rainbow of hope to make people smile. We have been busy painting and cutting and sticking and have come up with some beautiful bright rainbows that have had the residents appreciating how pretty they are. Everyone is enjoying watching the families walking past, stopping to look up at the rainbow and giving us a wave.

We had lovely letters sent to us from Mill Lane School, including a lovely poem.

We are still crafting here at Ashby House. Across the country many children have been colouring and painting rainbows to spread hope in response to the Coronavirus.

We thought that we would join in with this movement! For the past couple of weeks our residents have been painting rainbows to put around the care home so that the community passing can see as well as our fellow residents.

We have also have a few school children painting and writing letters to us to lift our spirits and inspire hope! Our residents have loved all of it and were so happy to read and see everyone’s creations.

We have created a ‘Smile Board’ to display all the wonderful things we have received!

To combat loneliness and isolation colleagues of Meadow Park reached out to the community as part of their extended social network to seek pen-pals of all ages reaching out to nurseries, schools and members of the community to remain connected during this difficult time.

Residents were delighted to receive colourful pictures and letters delivered to the home. Thank you for adding a little colour and sunshine to our resident’s day and for your heartfelt message.  One resident said “It was very touching to receive such nice letters from the children”, whilst another said “The pictures are lovely, bless them all”.

It is amazing how a simple letter, short story, poem or even a photo or drawing can brighten up someone’s day. The residents of Meadow Park will then reply as part of our social activity sessions. We are happy to receive letters, photos, etc. via the post, sent to directly to the home or you can email us at meadowpark@barchester.com.                                                                                                                                                                                  

I would like to thank everyone at Hunters - they are all doing an amazing job looking after our beloved family members and my family can’t thank them all enough for all their hard work, dedication, love and care - they are all very special people

Due to the current situation and not being able to have visitors here at Shelburne Lodge, residents have been able to keep in touch with their loved ones Over Skype and by writing letters. The residents also received some lovely cards from the children at the church of England Primary School, and have replied with homemade thank you cards. Residents are also involved in the local pen pal scheme, which is beneficial to local school children and themselves at this difficult time.