Celebrating life at Barchester

Lovely afternoon at Canford School’s Annual Christmas Music Concert.

Residents enjoyed a beautiful solo violin rendition of “It Ain’t Necessarily So,”

talented piano and saxophone performances, and everyone joining in festive carols.

Homemade shortbread, mince pies, and tea made it perfect. 

Thank you, Canford School, for the wonderful invitation.

Christmas spirit was in full swing at West Abbey!

Bright Jumpers, big smiles and plenty of cosy Christmas fun. Our team and residents had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas Jumper Day  with colour, joy, and winter warmth. 

We had a fantastic Christmas Wreath-Making Workshop here at Waterside Court! 

Fran led the session beautifully, bringing plenty of festive cheer and creativity to the room. Our residents had an amazing time crafting their very own Christmas wreaths — each one bursting with colour, personality, and Christmas spirit.

It was extra special to see families and friends joining in, supporting residents and creating wonderful moments together. This festive activity boosted creativity, encouraged social connection, stimulated cognitive activity, and enhanced overall wellbeing for our residents.  

A huge thank you to Fran for leading such an inspiring and joyful session. The wreaths looked stunning — and the smiles were even brighter!

The residents and staff thrilled to receive very generous donation from the students of Stone Lodge Therapeutic School for their Christmas Fete on Saturday 13th December.

The students have been busy working towards their Duke of Edinburgh and as a part of the project they created Christmas Hampers. The Hampers were created so that the students could raise money for the St Johns Ambulance, along with donating to other local causes. Freya is a student that attends the homes Friday morning Social Club, spending time with the residents, Freya attends alongside other students. Freya’s parents decided they would purchase additional hampers to donate to the home.

Activities Co-ordinator, Tina said: “The hampers are beautiful, the students attend our Friday morning social club here at the home with our residents and they bring so much joy to us all. This kind donation from the students and their family is so kind.”

General Manager Larisa Bledea said: “It is lovely having the students here at the home and it was a surprise to see the kind donation from the school for our Christmas Fete. We cannot thank the school enough for their generous donation.”

Our varied life enrichment programme keeps residents active, and provides a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents’ interests and abilities.
 

We were joined on Wednesday evening by Huntingdon East Councillor Mark Fearon for a very special evening. Mark was the winner of a recent competition for a 'Three Course Meal for Two' experience at Bayleaf Care Home so Mark, along with his wife Catherine, came to the home for a evening of fine dining.

The meal, prepared by our skilled kitchen team, consisted of a starter of either Cream of Tomato Soup with Garlic Croutons or Brie with Toasted Bread with Salad followed by a main course of Roast Pork Belly served with Creamy Potato Mash, Honey Glazed Carrots, Spinach and Sautéed Mushrooms. The dessert was a Lemon Pie served with Homemade Ice-Cream.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and an event that we hope to repeat in the very near future.

Thank you to Mark and Catherine. We hope you enjoyed your Bayleaf culinary experience.

Taking in the festive atmosphere at St Thomas’s Church in Salisbury. The Christmas Tree Festival takes place each year in the beautiful church that is located at the heart of the City. Residents created a bright and colourful tree that featured the art they had made over the last few weeks. 

Here at Milford House, residents are encouraged to express themselves through various arts and crafts mediums and thoroughly enjoy these inclusive sessions delivered by the home’s activities team, Gale and Jane. 

The Mayor of Salisbury, Cllr John Wells opened the festival and commented; ‘All of these trees reflect the values of the groups that have produced them." The Choir from Forres Sandle Manor School entertained visitors and filled the church with uplifting melodies. Resident, Joy, was visibly moved by the performance.

A trip to Café Nero followed as residents, their families and staff enjoyed a warm drink and chatted about the trees and the themes behind them and chose their favourites.

We are proud to be part of the festival for the third year running and look forward to creating next year’s entry.