Celebrating life at Barchester

A truly wonderful occasion as Connie watched her first ‘Imps’ game since her first visit in 1949! Polly, our chef, had worked with Fan Liaison Manager Allan to give Connie a VIP visit. Connie was dressed head to toe in team colours with streamers on her wheelchair! We sat right next to the goal, the match was electric with a final victory score of 2-1! The icing on the cake was a meet and greet with left back, 

Adam Reach and the Imp team mascot. Connie took it all in her stride and was so grateful for the experience saying it was an experience she will not forget. Other residents were so delighted for Connie and enjoyed trying to spot her on the television with the televised match.     

We did it! We Won! 

Residents were delighted to discover that they had won the annual Barchester Easter Cake Decorating competition for the North East and Scottish region. Activities member Joan and resident Brian worked hard to create a design that would be effective and allow many residents to take part with the decorating.  

It was a fun afternoon creating carrots and rabbits out of fondant and Brian was excited to be able to reprise his hobby of cake decorating by piping the ‘grass’. Our residents are looking forward to spending their £50 prize gift voucher. 

"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." George Bernard Shaw.

We took the challenge seriously and had a day of imagination! We started with a bit of a serious side, looking into our imagination, as most people think we lose our imagination as we age. The opposite is actually the truth. Children are less constrained in their imagination, but adults bring experience and emotion to imaginative situations. We looked at lateral thinking to broaden our horizons, then the play commenced!

Charades and a box of tricks! Residents were given random items to create their own activities. You could see the cogs turning in their heads as they came up with ideas. There was a lot of laughter as we tried to build towers, shoot balls from a soft beach ball, play keepie-uppies with balloons and other fun scenarios. Later in the month we have an imaginative day of junk modelling that we are all looking forward to.      

Residents at Rivermead Care Home have gathered today for a well-needed Pamper Day. With our wonderful hairdresser and our activity team we have been treating our residents to hair dos, manicures and facials. Our residents enjoyed the social interaction and a little glass of something naughty but nice. Sharing stories and jokes, there has been lots of chatting and laughter. 

The gentlemen were also included in the pamper day, but they drew the line at having nail polish put on. A relaxing day all round.        

There’s been lots of fun this Easter at Rivermead, from an egg decorating competition to relaxing sessions colouring in Easter pictures. The residents and staff have enjoyed decorating eggs with paints, glitter and other decorative items. The Easter Egg competition was judged by our 2nd Chef and was won by one of our lovely ladies who was very happy to win the Cadburys Easter Egg. Her daughter who also took part was very proud of her mum. 

We’ve had company from visiting nursery children and our residents enjoyed supporting them to decorate eggs for a 2nd competition just for the children. Our manager judged the competition and presented the winner with a large bar of chocolate. 

We’ve also had a chocolate tasting weekend with a very large and varied selection of chocolate made available to residents, visitors and staff to enjoy. A chocolatey time has been had by all.           

8 fluffy chicks all hatched at Cookridge Court. We had 4 girls, which are brown coloured and 4 boys, which are yellow-coloured, all healthy and gorgeous, waiting for lots of cuddles from our residents and staff. 

The living egg programme is a wonderful activity that is enjoyed by everyone, from residents to staff and even family and friends coming in to see them.           

A little update from our Knit & natter club, that takes place every Friday morning 10.30-12.30. We are still well underway with another batch of hats, blankets and cardigans for the maternity unit at Leeds Children’s Hospital. 

We are always welcoming donations of wool. If anyone would like to donate some to our group, we would be truly grateful. The invite is also open to anyone wanting to come along and knit, or even just to join the group for a matter with a cup of tea – the more the merrier.             

We enjoyed a wonderful performance by the Paulton Ukulele Band. 

The residents had a wonderful time, and it was so lovely to join in with such a friendly group, we listened to a variety of different music, some of which we could sing along to.    

It was such a great atmosphere and music made for a truly enjoyable afternoon. We are looking forward to welcoming them back soon.     

Easter celebrations at Cookridge Court! We had a fabulous time with lots of Easter activities taking place, followed by a delicious roasted lamb lunch with all the trimmings, with everyone receiving an Easter egg from the home in celebration of Easter. 

It was a lovely day enjoyed by all.