Celebrating life at Barchester

Easter Celebrations were enjoyed by residents, friends and family throughout the weekend, bringing excitement and fun in abundance. Meadow Park’s traditional Easter Egg Hunt proved to be a huge success, following the trail resulting in a very sweet ending. 

With the help of some wonderful props a fun filled day full of laughter was enjoyed by all.       

We were delighted to welcome our Pets As Therapy dog, Viima, here for the first visit to our home. The atmosphere quickly filled with excitement as residents gathered to meet the gentle, friendly boy. There were plenty of smiles as Viima made his way around accepting strokes and attention. 

Many residents enjoyed spending quiet moments with Viima, chatting and sharing stories of pets they had owned over the years. The calming presence of Viima brought comfort and joy. We look forward to many more moments of companionship and happiness with our new four-legged friend.     

Thanks to a wonderful volunteer, we can run an art class every week. Our recent art class was a calm and enjoyable session where residents had the opportunity to use a variety of materials, including paints and pencils. 

The room was filled with gentle conversation and quiet focus as they worked on their pieces with the theme “Bringing Nature Home." The session provided not only a creative outlet but also a chance to socialise and enjoy a peaceful and rewarding activity together.     

The visit from the lambs brought a lovely buzz to the home. Residents gathered in the courtyard, some just watching on, while others leaned over eagerly as the small, fluffy visitors were gently carried through. The staff supported those who wished to stroke them, or even feed them.

There was plenty of laughter as the lambs skipped about, occasionally bleating and nuzzling into open hands. Conversations flowed easily, with many residents sharing memories of farms, springtime, and animals from years gone by. The atmosphere felt warm and relaxed, giving everyone a chance to connect, reminisce, and enjoy something a little different together.                 

It was a truly lovely day out at the coffee shop in Irton Garden Centre. Maureen and Barbara were gently pushed around the garden centre, enjoying a relaxed stroll as they took in the beautiful plants and displays. 

Afterwards, they settled down for a cosy coffee together, chatting and soaking up the peaceful atmosphere. It was a much-loved outing for them both, filled with warmth and simple pleasures.      

We were delighted to host our annual Easter Egg Hunt for local children, and what a wonderful day it was. The children had an amazing time chatting with residents, holding chicks, and enjoying a variety of games. It was a truly special intergenerational activity, bringing smiles to everyone involved. 

This much-loved event continues to be a highlight of the year for all.

Daily living here at Ashminster House comes with a whole home approach.

Pat, one of our housekeeping team, motivates, encourages and has fun with our residents while doing her job.

Kate enjoys doing the high dusting. This gives Kate a sense of purpose in her daily routine.     

One of our top reminiscing sessions here at Ashminster House is all about past jobs. 

Renee has been sharing great stories with the activities team about her past job as a seamstress. She has fond memories of her father buying her first sewing machine at the age of 13.

This activity has boosted Rennes confidence and now staff have learnt a lot about how sewing machines work.       

We met the lovely Aissa, who taught us some French. 

We had a wonderful time with everyone. We learnt French greetings, food and fruit names, and even a song. Everyone enjoyed it a lot. We can’t wait to see Aissa again for the next session!