Celebrating life at Barchester

At Ashfields Care Home we celebrate birthdays not just as a mark of ageing another year but as a celebration of life, achievements, and personal growth. It's a time for reflection, gratitude, and looking forward to future possibilities. Birthdays provide a special opportunity for us to help residents to gather with loved ones and create lasting memories.

This week was extra special as we had three Resident birthdays in one week Thelma 93, Gillian 88 and Jackie who was 83. A grand total of 264 years. There were smiles and laughter all around as they enjoyed a sumptuous birthday cake baked by the home's chef.

A bus trip to GG's Gelato this morning for hot chocolate, lattes and toasted tea cakes. Our lovely ladies enjoyed the trip down to Penclawdd, reminiscing along the way chatting where they used to visit downtown Gower and where they would like to visit next. Thank you to the staff who always make our lovely residents welcome when we come to visit.

On return, there was a delicious Welsh rarebit waiting for the hospitality team to celebrate national Welsh rarebit day.

We are delighted to honour Julie Yeo for 20 years of exceptional service at Llys-Y-Tywysog Care Home, part of the Barchester Healthcare family. 

Over two decades, Julie has become an integral and cherished part of our community, embodying the compassion, professionalism, and commitment that define our home. A massive congratulations to Julie!

Barbara and Marie wished on our wishing washing line for a visit to Tenby last week what a fabulous day we all had browsing around the shops meeting lots of people with their dogs enjoying the Beautiful sunshine.

Of course a stop to pick up some flavoured rocks and delicious fudge to bring back home wouldn’t be a miss at the seaside.

Lunch at the lifeboat Inn. Tenby complete with an ice-cream overlooking the sea.

It is said that success takes a village, no matter how independent your job may be, you never truly work alone. And your individual commitment is only one pat of the equation. Everyone’s work facilitates or disrupts a team’s ability to reach their goals and objectives; it is easy to get lost in your own world. Busy schedules, remote work, and personal ambitions can make it hard to see your importance as a team member. But absorbing others’ wisdom is a great way to stir up self-reflection and motivate teams to work as one.

At Tyspane Care Home, the Activities Team understand the importance of team work, not just within their team but with the whole team at Tyspane Care Home. For residents, it is important that the activities timetable is updated with new opportunities, and keeping it fresh is so important. Having discussions with the wider home team and encouraging suggestions and feedback is imperative to managing a successful life enrichment timetable.

Therefore, when David (Head of Maintenance) and John (Maintenance), offered to run a woodworking craft shop, building bird boxes with residents, the activities team jumped at this incredible offer. Maintaining independence for residents is crucial in ensuring they live fulfilling lives. It allows them to make decisions about their daily activities, control their lives, and remain active community members. This empowerment boosts their sense of purpose and positively affects their mental health.

David (Head of Maintenance), “It is an absolute pleasure to support activities, and work alongside residents, families and friends.”

John (Maintenance), “Spending time with residents, families, and friends is so enjoyable and rewarding.”

Thank you, David and John. 

We recently celebrated one of the most heart-warming days of the year, Grandparents Day, and what a joyful afternoon it was! Our home was filled with smiles, music, and multi-generational magic as residents, their families, and plenty of excited grandchildren came together to share in the fun.

Live Entertainment & Delicious Nibbles. From the moment the music started, the atmosphere was electric! There was live entertainment that had everyone clapping along and enjoying the show — including our residents who loved being serenaded. We served a delicious spread of nibbles and light refreshments, with a splash of wine for the adults to enjoy as they caught up and relaxed.

Fun for the little ones. The grandchildren had a fantastic time, with toys and games set up all around. Some shared a sweet tea party with their nan or grandad, while others went head-to-head in a lively game of Snakes and Ladders — lots of laughs and friendly competition included! To make the day even more special, each child received a bundle of fun stickers to take home. The sticker-covered smiles said it all! 

Storytime with a Special Message. We also took a moment to share The Barchester Book Story, a thoughtful, child-friendly book that gently explains why a loved one may be living in a care home. It was a touching way to encourage understanding and spark meaningful conversations between generations.

A Day to Remember, Grandparents Day reminded us all just how precious time with family truly is. Whether it was laughter over a board game, cuddles during storytime, or simply holding hands while listening to music, the love in the room was undeniable. Thank you to all the families who joined us and helped create such a memorable day. Here’s to many more moments that celebrate the incredible bond between generations.