Celebrating life at Barchester

The community is full of unpaid volunteers, unsung heroes, who can only be best described as priceless. These individuals often contribute to the success or well-being of others quietly, behind the scenes, and their efforts often go unnoticed. However, not today though, these wonderful heroes welcomed with open arms residents, families, friends, professional physiotherapists, and staff from Tyspane Care Home for an afternoon of fun, laughter, support and community togetherness.

The first guest speaker this afternoon was Judy Flanaghan from Live Well In Braunton. Live Well In Braunton works closely with the local GP surgery at Caen Medical centre, providing one-to-one support for individuals via their social prescriber. They also engage with voluntary and statutory organisations and groups across the area, supporting existing projects, helping identify gaps in what is available and bringing people together to fill them. Some of their projects are the development of a “Men’s Shed,” and support for Braunton and Communities, and their wellbeing walks and Community Gardens. Judy Flanagan brings with her over 35 years of experience in social care. Her extensive background includes roles as a registered manager, developing services, and delivering staff training. She has a particular passion for dementia support, working from early diagnosis through to providing ongoing support for individuals as well as their families and carers.

Following on from Judy, was the incredible Babs Spear, Head Physiotherapist, at Tyspane Care Home and her team; Rita (Care Practitioner) and George (Assistant Physiotherapist). Babs put on a show not to be missed as she demonstrated armchair exercises, deep breathing exercises and stretches, and several songs that evoked wonderful memories from everyone’s past.  Babs is a highly experienced and qualified teacher who is extremely passionate and enthusiastic about her role as a physiotherapist. She is deeply committed to her work, and demonstrates immense dedication, remarkable fervour and genuine zeal. She instantly inspires everyone in the room to join in, her passion is contagious, no one leaves without feeling invigorated and motivated.  

Sitting in the Vivian Moon Centre this afternoon, listening to these ladies, and volunteers from Braunton Caen Rotary Club, Memory Café reminded everyone why community matters. These everyday moments remind us that we’re all connected and that our actions have the power to make life better for those around us.

Thank you, Jennie Tomlinson, for inviting Tyspane Care Home to your wonderful community café. Simply amazing. 

A fantastic day seeing all the animals. It brought back memories and happy times and even seeing some of these animals for the very first time. We had little Lilah making sure the day went smoothly. 

Great day had by all!

We had the most perfect afternoon with the Garstang Ukuele group playing for our residents while we enjoyed burgers, hot dogs, and desserts.

The family enjoyed a Pimms with their loved ones while the kids played games, enjoyed goodies from the shop, had donkey rides and their faces painted by Krystal. 

We had a dog show for everyone to enjoy, and some very worthy winners were well done little pooches. Congratulations on the WINNERS of the Hamper and night away to Wonderland retreats. Amazing day. Well done to all involved.  

Thank you to everyone who helped or donated.

In a recent Resident’s Meeting, our residents asked for a gin tasting afternoon and a cheese and wine night. Activities and the kitchen team delivered upon these food-based activities and more, with the Head Chef delivering a cocktail in the afternoon too. 

There are lots of plans in place to make these events regular within our home, seeing the popularity amongst our residents and their family during their visits.    

We had fun in the home putting together our resident's words of wisdom for school children. Our residents are in particular looking forward to receiving children's words of wisdom in return, noting how important intergenerational relationships are to them. We had individual room visits full of reminisce, talking about the resident's school days. 

Please feel free to either post words of wisdom to our home or collate and email across to tixover.activities@barchester.com at, Caroline Geddes.

Rock-A-Hula Baby on August 12th we had our Hawaiian Day. There was fruit punch, hula skirts, straw hats and a ton of fun with Mike Memphis as Elvis performing some of Elvis' best hits. We had a lovely day in the sunshine and sang and danced like we were in Hawaii itself.    

We headed off to Brockbushes Farm Shop in Corbridge with our friends from Bedewell Grange Care Home. The rain kept us inside, but we had a lovely time looking through the shop and had some lovely food from the restaurant. After the visit, we headed off for a drive into Blanchland and for a look at the countryside.   

It brought back so many memories and also had everyone smiling.

This month we held our annual summer fair to raise money for our residents' fun. 

There were plenty of things to do with a tombola, bake sale, craft stall, ice cream van and hot food to buy. It was a lovely afternoon and the weather stayed on our side to make it even better. 

Our residents always enjoy a themed day in our home and this recent themed day was no exception. Residents in the lead up to the day enjoyed colouring elephant designs and exploring Oomph activity packs. We had an African-themed water colour painting activity and explored African travel in our nursing community. 

Our staff team got involved and shared their African culture on room visits in addition to their nursing duties, so for this we are so grateful, and it is a wonderful example of the whole home approach to life enrichment, diversity and variety in activity deliverance. One of our nurses kindly shared an African dance with a bed-bound resident whilst on one of his working nights.