Appletree Grange celebrated a very special man, one of our much-loved Resident Ambassadors, on his 80th birthday! John is a joy to have around the home. He loves a good chat, enjoys his pets and his television, and having spent his working life as a car dealer, he knows his cars inside out. Just ask him anything! His big day was one to remember. 

Our Head Chef baked him a fantastic birthday cake, the room was filled with 80 balloons, and his fellow residents gathered to sing Happy Birthday. His daughters and friends came along to celebrate with him too, and the smiles said it all!             

Appletree Grange had the most wonderful visitor today and our residents were absolutely over the moon! Meet Neelix our gorgeous therapy dog who came to spend some quality time with our wonderful residents today and what a visit it was! The strokes, the cuddles, the pure and utter joy on our residents' faces from the moment Neelix walked through that door. It was simply the most heart-warming thing to witness! We absolutely cannot wait to see you again, Neelix.    

Performing Pets visit this morning was with a 4-month-old bundle of feathers, called Barbie. Amber from Performing Pets arrived with the cutest baby owl, and she won many hearts of residents and staff.

There were questions, lots of ooh’s and ahh’s as well as smiles. Residents wanted to know about Barbie and her habitat. Some residents even had the opportunity to hold and stoke Barbie’s soft feathers. Barbie met Madalina, our GM, and opened her wings in appreciation. Wow, what a display!

This adorable barn owl left a big impression and some very happy residents, families and staff. Thank you to Amber and performing pets for such a special morning.    

Residents spent a rewarding day getting their hands dirty for a special gardening project. After carefully planting fresh flowers, everyone got to decorate their own pots, complete with their name and photograph on the front. These personalized pots now add a lovely bright touch to our space, celebrating both nature and our wonderful community.   

We kicked off our spooky season preparations with a busy week of Halloween crafting. 

Residents showcased their creativity by crafting ghosts out of paper cups, painting colorful pumpkins on paper plates, and making hanging paper bats to decorate the home. It was a brilliant, fun-filled session that brought plenty of smiles and festive cheer.  

Our residents enjoyed a wonderful minibus outing to Pips Community Café, enjoying a change of scenery, friendly conversations and some lovely refreshments. 

It was a great opportunity for our residents to spend time together, connect with the local community and enjoy a relaxed afternoon away from White Lodge. The smiles, laughter and conversations made the trip extra special.

A delicious cup of coffee, a little treat and good company made it a truly enjoyable day out. We always love creating opportunities for our residents to get out, make choices, stay connected and create new memories together. 

Thanks to families who come and join with us which makes more special than a trip.       

To celebrate National Baking Week, our baking enthusiasts gathered in the kitchen to whip up a batch of delicious lemon cookies. From mixing the ingredients to shaping the dough, residents took the lead at every step, filling the home with the refreshing scent of fresh citrus. 

The best part, of course, was sharing the warm, freshly baked treats over a afternoon cup of tea.   

Our residents enjoyed a wonderful afternoon out with Swindon Veterans, sharing good food, great company and plenty of lovely conversations at Robins Farm Carvery. Everyone had a fantastic time enjoying the delicious carvery, and one of the best parts was that our residents were able to choose their own food and drinks, making the experience all about their individual preferences and choices. 

It was lovely to see residents chatting, laughing and enjoying quality time with the veterans. These outings are about so much more than a meal they provide opportunities to build friendships, strengthen community connections and create meaningful memories together.

A big thank you to Swindon Veterans for joining us and making the afternoon so special. We look forward to many more wonderful moments together.