Celebrating life at Barchester

Mulberry Court care home, in Rawcliffe, York, got in the Christmas spirit by inviting world-famous chocolate company Nestle into our home and threw a party for residents.

Mulberry Court’s Christmas party was in full swing with Nestle hosting bingo and festive crafts as well as chatting to all our residents.  Residents enjoyed a feast of chocolates provided by the company.

General Manager, Rachael Moss, said: “Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year and our fantastic residents love to get festive, so we’ve pulled out all the stops.  It is so lovely to see them all getting into the Christmas spirit, it’s definitely my favourite time of year.”

Dorothy, resident at Mulberry Court, said: “It has been a lovely day. It was wonderful to see everyone go to so much effort to get into the Christmas spirit. I really enjoyed Nestle coming in and hosting the party for us. It truly was a lovely morning.    

On the 3rd of December, the staff at Winchester House swapped their uniforms for Elf costumes, in aid of Elf day, and to help and raise awareness for Alzheimer’s society. Eld day was created to sprinkle some festive cheer on fundraising towards finding a cure for dementia.

The naughty elves went around the building, being cheeky and making all our community laugh and smile. Our communities wanted to have their photos taken with the naughty elves as well.

Throughout the day, our residents and staff were finding little sweet treats that were hidden around the home by the naughty elves, and we also played themed games and activities with our residents.

A fantastic day was had by all staff and residents.      

Staff members at Atfield House came together after their days' work to celebrate our team and the diversity in our team. Everyone  was encouraged to wear their cultural dress and join us for some diverse nibbles and great dishes from different cultures. 

The evening was filled with music and dancing and lots of fun, hugs and laughter. What a great way to promote team spirit, foster unity and create joy amongst staff members. Big thank you to our manager, Subin, who put on the event for us.

The different cultural music and dance was great fun and the food was fabulous!   

Our Deputy Manager put her hot chocolate–making skills to the test today — and what a delicious afternoon it was!

We tried out two brand-new syrup flavours: Toasted Marshmallow and Mince Pie. The results? Lots of smiles, plenty of cosy cups, and a lot of festive flavour fun!

Everyone enjoyed choosing their favourite (or trying both!), and the warm, sweet aromas filled the home with pure comfort.

Here’s to many more tasty moments at Pittsmead Grange!        

Recently, we were delighted to host a wonderful afternoon networking event in partnership with Hayes (Kent) Village Association.

It was fantastic to see local residents, businesses, and association members come together for such a warm and engaging gathering. We were joined by many lovely, diverse businesses, including an Artist, Funeral Director,  Home Care provider, Dementia Day Centre, Law & Financial Advisers, A Building Company and members of the Hayes (Kent) Village Association.

A special thank-you to our talented chefs for preparing a truly fantastic spread that everyone enjoyed.  

At Pittsmead Grange Care Home, we love making dreams come true — and this week was something truly special.

Our wonderful resident, Brian, has always wished to meet the real-life Chelsea Pensioners. So, with great joy, we made his wish a reality with a very special invitation-only tour of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.

Brian had the most incredible day in London, where he not only met the Chelsea Pensioners but saw this beautiful building in all its glory – including the stunning Dining Hall and Chapel. Our residents enjoyed unforgettable conversations, smiles, and memories that will stay with them forever.

Moments like these are why we do what we do.

Making wishes come true, one resident at a time.      

Our lovely residents at Pittsmead Grange Care Home enjoyed a wonderful minibus trip to the Ruxley Manor Garden Centre for a spot of Christmas shopping!

There were twinkling lights, festive music, and plenty of holiday cheer as everyone picked out decorations, gifts, and a few sweet treats too.

It was a joyful day full of smiles, laughter, and precious moments shared together. Thank you to our amazing team for making outings like this possible, and to our residents for bringing the Christmas spirit wherever they go!   

Christmas traditions not only bring families closer together across generations, but they also help us create cherished memories. They provide comfort and a sense of continuity, guiding us to focus on what truly matters. From the iconic customs like the Christmas tree and mince pies to the jolly Christmas cards and the exciting crackers, we explore the origins of these cherished traditions and celebrate the unique spirit of a British Christmas.

Today, residents from Tyspane Care Home visited St John’s Garden Centre for a morning of merriment, choosing Christmas plants and decorations, eating mince pies, and buying Christmas gifts for families and friends. There was even time to embrace the wonders of modern technology and make a ZOOM call to a loved one to share these moments of wonder.

A lovely morning was experienced by all. Merry Christmas.    

Our Ashlar House residents enjoyed a truly heart-warming trip to Ivy Chimneys Primary School for The Twinkly Nativity. They loved watching the little star shine and were absolutely delighted by the children’s beautiful voices filling the assembly hall.

After the performance, residents and teachers shared some lovely conversations, making the visit even more special. Moments like these remind us how magical intergenerational connections can be. 

A big thank you to Ivy Chimneys Primary School for such a joyful afternoon!