Celebrating life at Barchester

We were delighted to welcome a truly special visit to Bloomfield Care Centre, as Kelly’s Donkeys joined us for a magical morning filled with smiles and festive cheer. Spike arrived with the wonderful Romeo, who quickly became a favourite as he trotted around the home, charming residents and team members alike. Romeo’s calm and gentle nature meant everyone could enjoy time with him, whether sharing a quiet moment, offering a treat, or simply watching him spread joy throughout the home. Residents were especially delighted to see Romeo happily enjoying his apples and carrots, and many spoke fondly about past memories of animals and countryside life. Visits like these create meaningful moments, spark conversation, and bring genuine happiness to our community, making the day truly unforgettable for everyone involved.

There was flower power at Bere Grove Care Home, as our lovely lady residents had a wonderful time taking part in an afternoon of flower arranging to decorate our café. They arranged tulips, roses, carnations and gerberas. There were plenty of smiles, conversations and something beautiful to admire at the end. They were then all entertained with songs on the piano played by a resident. Just another blooming great Bere Grove activity.

Residents continue to enjoy the comfort and privacy of their en-suite rooms, where hobbies and personal interests are very much encouraged.

 Andrew filled the corridor with the sound of his beautiful guitar playing and singing as he practised a new piece of music — a moment that stopped both residents and staff in their tracks.

He later ventured into the lounge to explore the piece further, adding an accompaniment on the piano, creating a relaxed and uplifting atmosphere for everyone nearby.

These spontaneous moments of creativity are a joy to witness and a reminder that life at Cadbury Hall is about individuality, expression, and shared pleasure — enjoyed by residents and staff alike

Here’s an occupancy-focused version — aspirational, lifestyle-led, and subtly selling the experience of living at Cadbury Hall:

Life at Cadbury Hall is shaped around individual choice, comfort, and wellbeing. Residents enjoy the privacy of their own en-suite rooms, where they are supported to continue the hobbies and interests that matter most to them.

Today, Andrew’s beautiful guitar playing and singing drifted along the corridor as he practised a new piece of music, before he moved into the lounge to explore an accompaniment on the piano. These moments of spontaneous creativity are shared and enjoyed by residents and staff alike.

It’s this balance of independence, encouragement, and a vibrant shared community that makes Cadbury Hall a place people are proud to call home.

Poetry Club is a well-established and much-loved activity at Cadbury Hall, originally created by Sally and growing steadily in popularity. It offers residents a rich, intellectually stimulating experience, celebrating language, learning, and lifelong curiosity.

Each session brings together a diverse mix of poetry and poets to suit all tastes — from the great classics such as Browning and Tennyson, to lighter pieces, short verses, and the occasional playful or cheeky poem, all shared in good spirit.

For many residents, Poetry Club evokes fond memories of school recitals, learning poems by heart, performing monologues, and university days, with English Literature knowledge often coming proudly to the fore. These shared experiences spark thoughtful discussion, laughter, and meaningful connection.

Poetry Club reflects our commitment to providing activities that nourish the mind as well as the soul, proving that intellectual engagement and a love of words continue to flourish at every stage of life.

We have linked with in the Hayes Literature Festival and enjoyed online Virtual poetry session with some famous faces.

We had a lovely time enjoying the virtual talk on garden birds and bird watching today.
Anne and Liz both said how interesting they found it, and it sparked a great chat about all the birds we’ve spotted in our own gardens.
Liz shared a wonderful story about the murmurations she saw at Severn Beach, which everyone loved hearing about. From robins to cheeky sparrows, there were plenty of bird stories and memories shared!
Things got very enthusiastic when our activity coordinator decided the next step is a bird box with a camera… watch this space.
We’re also looking forward to taking part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, so there’ll be even more bird spotting to come!
A simple talk, great conversation, and lots of smiles – just how we like!

What a fantastic time we had celebrating Elvis’s birthday today! Andy joined us for a brilliant Elvis celebration, and the room was absolutely buzzing. Residents were singing, dancing, and clapping along, while staff and residents proudly donned their Elvis masks and showed off their best moves on the dance floor. 
So much laughter, energy, and pure joy, proof that the King’s music still gets everyone up and moving. Thank you, Andy, for making it a day to remember!

This week, Lotus Manor was delighted to host the Silver Friends Group for an afternoon filled with conversation, laughter, and good company. Guests enjoyed tea, freshly prepared sandwiches, and scones straight from the oven, creating a welcoming atmosphere that brought everyone together.

The gathering was a wonderful opportunity for friends old and new to connect, share stories, and enjoy time together in a relaxed setting. The room was alive with smiles and conversation, making it clear how much these moments mean to everyone involved.

We are pleased to announce that the Silver Friends Group will now be joining us at Lotus Manor every third Thursday of the month for afternoon tea. It’s a chance to enjoy delicious treats, meet new people, and be part of a friendly community.

 To book or find out more, please call: 01483 359340

Once again, we kick started the second leg of the Saltford Santa trail this year when we welcomed Santa and his sleigh to our not so little gathering here at Kingfisher Lodge care centre.
We waited with mince pies, Christmas drinks and some very dubious carol singing in our reception, and then with music and light the main man and his sleigh appeared. Local children all raced outside to see him, some with gifts of drawings they made for him earlier in the day.
Santa then came inside to say “Ho Ho Ho” to all our residents, he even had time for a photo opportunity outside by his sleigh before leaving!
General manager Claudia said “The atmosphere was so festive we all felt the magic of Christmas. We would like to thank Saltford Community Association for choosing our home to be the starting point to Santas journey and we were more than happy to donate to their chosen charity Children's Hospice Southwest”.