Celebrating life at Barchester

We celebrate life through everything we do, from our thoughtful experiences and activities to our delicious food. We offer the latest technology as well as sensory engagement to nurture the wellbeing of our residents. With a wide variety of tailored activities and events we make sure our residents have the best physical, mental, spiritual and social stimulation, all bespoke to them. Take a look at what we’ve been up to…

Port Manor Care Home

Bread-making activity

At Port Manor our residents rolled up their sleeves and headed into the kitchen for a bread-making activity, led by our Head Chef, Sharon.
There was plenty of teamwork going on, and a little bit of flour flying through the air as everyone enjoyed measuring, mixing, kneading and shaping! Activities like bread making are not only great fun, they also provide wonderful benefits for our residents. Baking encourages creativity, stimulates memories through familiar smells and tastes, and helps maintain important motor skills through hands-on activity. It’s also a lovely opportunity to socialise, build confidence and enjoy a sense of achievement when the delicious results come out of the oven.

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Port Manor Care Home

Job of the Day at Port Manor!

Today Nick, our maintenance man set out with a mission to jet wash the decking on our café terrace and get it looking fresh and ready for the arrival of spring!

However, it wasn’t long before our resident Vernon spotted the task and simply couldn’t resist getting involved. With great gusto, Vernon took over the jet washer and got straight to work, leaving Nick assisting him, rather than the other way around!

Vernon loves being part of practical, hands-on jobs around the home, and moments like these are so important. Staying involved in everyday activities helps our residents maintain a sense of purpose, independence and wellbeing. It’s a wonderful way to keep minds active, and bodies moving.

Well done Vernon, the terrace certainly is now spring-ready!

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Port Manor Care Home

Lovely Trip to Middle Farm

What a lovely sunny March day we’ve had at Port Manor today!

Hannah, our Activities Co-ordinator accompanied some of our residents on a trip out to Middle Farm, Firle near Lewes. Nestled in the beautiful South Downs, Middle Farm is a traditional working farm and farm shop known for its friendly animals, local produce, and charming countryside atmosphere.

The residents enjoyed a gentle stroll around the farm, taking in the fresh country air and meeting some of the animals along the way. It was the perfect opportunity to reminisce, share stories, and simply enjoy a relaxing day together in the sunshine. It was lovely to see everyone making the most of the day.

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Port Manor Care Home

A perfect start to the day at Port Manor!

Nancy, our General Manager, and Elly, our wonderful resident, couldn’t resist taking Reggie, our much-loved dog out for a refreshing walk in the morning sunshine.

After soaking up the fresh air and gentle exercise, they enjoyed a peaceful rest together on the terrace.

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Bayleaf Care Home

Our creative ladies

It was a little bit chillier this morning so we decided that rather than having our regular Garden Club, we would stay inside and do some flower arranging instead.

Margaret and Freda were very keen and took to the task with some amazing skill and creativity and the end result was a number of beautiful floral arrangements.

Both ladies were only too happy to pose with their bouquets before finishing with a lovely cup of tea and slice of homemade cake.

Trip to Portland Bill

Recently our lovely residents enjoyed a refreshing day out at Portland Bill and the beautiful Lighthouse

We were blessed with sunny skies, although the wind certainly kept us on our toes! The stunning coastal views, fresh sea air and great company made it a truly special trip for everyone. Lots of smiles, laughter, and happy memories were made. we can’t wait for our next adventure!

Cosy Crewkerne Cafe

Our residents enjoyed a truly special outing to a beautiful café in Crewkerne named Cosy, where they were invited for tea, coffee and a fantastic selection of delicious cakes. What made the visit even more meaningful was that the café is owned by the daughter and son-in-law of one of our much-loved couples here at the home. It was especially lovely for them to be able to spend quality time together as a family in such a warm and familiar setting. The family very kindly opened their doors exclusively for us, creating a relaxed and welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.

Financial Planning Event

Thank you to everyone who recently joined us for our informative evening on Lasting Power of Attorney and Probate at West Abbey Care Centre. We were delighted to welcome Vikki Thyer, Senior Legal Advisor from Porter Dodson Solicitors and her colleagues, who provided valuable guidance and helped attendees better understand the importance of planning ahead with confidence and peace of mind. It was wonderful to see people come together to learn more about these important topics and ask thoughtful questions in such a supportive environment.

A Morning of Melodies & Sunshine at Malvern Theatre!

We had the most wonderful time recently at the Elgar Festival 2026! Our residents were invited to a special dementia-friendly relaxed concert at Malvern Theatres, and it was truly a morning to remember.

The incredibly talented musicians from the English Symphony Orchestra played a selection of light classical favourites and popular hits that had us all tapping our toes and smiling from ear to ear. After the music, we headed to the park for a peaceful picnic and some duck-watching in the sunshine.

Resident Christine summed it up perfectly "What a lovely day with lots of laughter, it’s just what I needed!"

Su Gill, Activities Coordinator said: "We were absolutely thrilled to be invited; it was a wonderful morning and really sparked a light in our residents' eyes."

At Ashchurch View we know that music has such a powerful impact on wellbeing, and seeing the joy it brought to everyone today was pure magic.