Celebrating life at Barchester

The firework display at Worplesdon View Care Home was truly breathtaking, lighting up the night with colour, joy, and excitement. Residents and families were amazed by the stunning show, enjoying every moment together. It created a wonderful atmosphere of celebration, laughter, and community — a night to remember for everyone involved.

As well as the spectacular firework display, the glowing bonfire brought everyone together in warmth and joy. Residents and families enjoyed lighting sparklers and toasting marshmallows side by side, creating a cosy, laughter-filled atmosphere that perfectly captured the spirit of togetherness of both families, friends and residents and celebration at Worplesdon View.     

Residents spent a lovely day at Baytree near Spalding. All our ladies enjoyed a minibus trip across the country, admiring the ploughed fields and flocks of birds.

On arrival at Baytree, we stopped for some lunch. The residents were delighted to choose from an extensive menu and the food was delicious. The ladies thoroughly enjoyed their lunch and were ready to hit the shops.

Looking for a bargain, all the ladies found beautiful jumpers and shirts which they were very pleased with. After admiring the Christmas lights and decorations, we set off home.     

Our residents enjoyed a trip out to the dementia-friendly screening to the Light Cinema in Wisbech to see Downton Abbey, and what a lovely morning we all had.

Sallie commented on how elegant and beautiful the ladies looked in their dresses. Aubrey said all the men looked very smart too. The movies continue the storyline from the television series and follow the Crawley family as they navigate royal visits, inheritances, and life in the 1930s.    

A big thank you to the Light Cinema Wisbech for providing refreshments and a lovely choice of snacks. 
A huge thank you to the amazing team at The Light Cinema – your kindness and care made the experience even more special.  

Our wonderful residents at Iris Court Care Home wrapped up warm, embraced the crisp winter chill, and enjoyed a heart-warming trip to B&M! 

From the moment they stepped inside, the festive spirit took over. Residents wandered through glittering Christmas displays, explored aisles filled with twinkling décor, and picked out a few seasonal treats to make the holidays even more special. 

The outing was filled with smiles, laughter, and plenty of Christmas cheer, reminding us all of the magic this time of year brings. Whether admiring sparkling ornaments or sharing stories of Christmases past, everyone returned home glowing with joy.

It was a truly delightful winter adventure — and the perfect way to kick off the festive season at Iris Court

We took two of our gentlemen yesterday to try something different, and we had our fingers crossed they’d enjoy it. 

They didn’t just like it—they absolutely loved it! 

It was so nice to see them getting so much enjoyment from trying something new. Both gentlemen said they’d really enjoyed the day, even though bowling might not usually be their thing.

We were proud to host a special evening event to mark Menopause Awareness.

Staff, residents, and guests came together for an informative and supportive evening featuring Debs Myring, a former nurse and wellness instructor, as the guest speaker. Debs shared her insights and experiences around menopause, offering guidance and encouragement to those navigating this important life stage.

The event aimed to foster open conversations and raise awareness about menopause, its impact, and the support available. It’s part of Hickathrift House’s ongoing commitment to wellbeing and community engagement.

After a fun-filled day of festive activities our regular cinema evening took on a festive flavour as our residents gathered to enjoy Deck the Halls. With popcorn and refreshing beverages, the room was filled with laughter and holiday cheer.

It was the perfect way to relax and get into the Christmas spirit together.

We recently had the pleasure of hosting our Corks and Cocktails event at our home, and it was a memorable celebration of good company, great flavours, and local talent. Guests enjoyed a curated selection of wines paired with an assortment of cheeses, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for everyone who attended.

One of the highlights of the evening was a talented Christine and Gareth who performed live music throughout the event. Their beautiful vocals and warm presence added a special touch and helped set the tone for a truly enjoyable night. We were also grateful to welcome members of our local community, whose involvement made the gathering even more meaningful.

Events like this remind us of the joy of bringing people together—sharing conversations, discovering new experiences, and strengthening community connections. We look forward to hosting more occasions that celebrate togetherness and local culture.

We kicked off the festive season with a vibrant Christmas Fayre, welcoming around 100 residents, families, friends and local visitors for an afternoon filled with seasonal cheer. Our home sparkled with Christmas trees, twinkling lights and beautifully decorated stalls from local independent businesses offering handcrafted gifts, jewellery, plants and festive treats.

Guests enjoyed live Christmas music, mulled wine, mince pies and delicious homemade cakes prepared by our hospitality team. Classic fayre favourites including a raffle, bottle tombola and lucky dip helped raise £200 for our Residents’ Fund, supporting special life enrichment activities throughout the year.

A very special visitor, Santa Claus, delighted everyone, posing for photos and creating magical moments, including resident Archie’s grandson, baby Laurie’s first ever picture with Santa. It was wonderful to see the home filled with laughter, conversation and community spirit. Thanks to everyone who helped make this festive event a great success.