Ashlar HouseBarchester Healthcare

Activities at Ashlar House Care Home

Activities are an integral part of life at our care home. We want to ensure that the people we support have as much fun as possible during their time with us, so it’s important that our activities programme is created with the interests of residents in mind. Our skilled Activities Coordinators bring a certain uniqueness to the home that can’t be found anywhere else, and which is reflected in the activities they organise.

Life-encriching activities booklet

Read our brochure ‘Life-enriching activities’ for more information about life in our care homes.

Read our brochure
Rita Green

Rita Green

Activities Lead

As the Community Engagement Lead and Lifestyle Coordinator, I will be spending time with each resident and their loved ones to build a detailed picture of each individual, so that each person’s stay with us is as meaningful as possible.  Although I have been working within this field for many years, thanks to the uniqueness of each resident, I am always enjoying new experiences in my role. My goal is to create an activities programme that caters to the capabilities of residents, including, but not limited to, individual and group activity. 


I've spent the past few years forging strong relationships within the community and developing a pool of talented individuals that can support our in-house team to bring out the best in those we care for.


As we never stop growing and changing, it is important that we maintain an up-to-date Getting To Know Me booklet. With your help, the activities scheduled for your loved ones will be as relevant and enjoyable as possible.
I’m very much looking forward to working with all of you.

Celebrating life at Ashlar House Care Home

Personalised Live Entertainment with Carly Ann

Personalised Live Entertainment with Carly Ann

Our residents always enjoy their special live entertainment sessions with Carly Ann!

Her room visits and small-group showcases have become a much-loved part of life here, bringing music, smiles and plenty of wonderful memories.

What makes these sessions extra special is the personal touch. Residents can share their favourite songs with Carly Ann in advance or make a request during her 15-minute showcase.

Sometimes, these sessions lead to wonderful sing-alongs, with families joining in and sharing the joy of music together. It’s lovely to see residents, relatives and Carly Ann singing along, reminiscing about special memories and enjoying music that means something to them.

A little music can create some very meaningful moments.  

Birthdays at Ashlar House were NEVER forgotten!

Birthdays at Ashlar House were NEVER forgotten!

Even when the celebrations happened in the evening, the planning committee was always hard at work—from the comfort and privacy of the room, surrounded by family, good vibes, and, of course… McDonald’s!

And because nothing said “Happy Birthday” quite like homemade love, the homemade chef’s special birthday cake made its way to you!

Happy Birthday, Alan!

We hope your day was filled with happiness, laughter, cake… and maybe a few extra McDonald’s fries!   

Summer Fete at Ashlar House

Summer Fete at Ashlar House

Ashlar House was filled with sunshine, laughter and excitement as residents, families and staff came together to enjoy our wonderful Summer Fete.

Our home is more than just a place to live it is a community filled with friendship, shared experiences and treasured memories. Our Summer Fete was a fantastic opportunity for everyone to come together, enjoy each other’s company and create even more special moments.

With a wonderful Hawaiian theme bringing a tropical feel to the day, our amazing staff helped create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. From the early preparations to the celebrations themselves, there was a real sense of excitement throughout Ashlar House. 
It was a day all about community, togetherness and having fun. The smiles, laughter and conversations shared throughout the fete made it a truly memorable occasion for everyone involved.

At Ashlar House, we believe that life should be filled with meaningful moments, opportunities to connect with others and plenty of reasons to celebrate. Events like our Summer Fete bring our community together and help us continue making wonderful memories as part of the Ashlar House family.

We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped make the day so special. Here’s to sunshine, friendship, laughter and another beautiful chapter in the Ashlar House story! 

Feathers, fun and plenty of chatter!

Feathers, fun and plenty of chatter!

Our afternoon was full of smiles as we welcomed some cheeky young cockatiels from Performing Pets! They certainly knew how to steal the show, filling the room with cheerful chatter, playful antics, and lots of personality.

Their visit brought back wonderful memories for many of our residents, who enjoyed sharing stories about the cockatiels they had owned over the years. We also discovered that these youngsters come from a line whose parents were imported from Australia—no wonder they put on such a brilliant performance!

A huge thank you to the owner of Performing Pets for bringing these amazing feathered friends to brighten our day. We think the cockatiels had just as much fun as we did! 

Did they get into a puzzle? You bet they did!

Did they get into a puzzle? You bet they did!

Our residents put their thinking caps on today as they tackled some wooden puzzles. There were a few head scratches, plenty of laughs, and a lot of “I’ve got it!” moments along the way.

Who knew a few wooden pieces could spark so much friendly competition and teamwork? Safe to say, everyone was puzzled… in the best possible way!

Sometimes the simplest activities bring the biggest smiles, and today was definitely one of those days.     

Friday Live Entertainment & A Warm Welcome

Friday Live Entertainment & A Warm Welcome

What a fantastic Friday at the home! We have been delighted to welcome more new faces and wonderful additions to our home.

There was certainly no need for our new residents, loved ones, and families to worry about settling in — our warm welcome, caring atmosphere, and friendly faces helped everyone feel right at home from the very start.

Our live entertainment brought the home to life, with laughter, singing, and music echoing through the foyer. The room was full of smiles and joy, and we even had the pleasure of witnessing some fantastic dancing skills!

It was a lovely opportunity to come together, make new memories, and celebrate the newest members of our home. We are so pleased to have you with us and look forward to many more happy moments together! 

A Warm Welcome to Our New Gentlemen at Ashlar House

A Warm Welcome to Our New Gentlemen at Ashlar House

We are delighted to welcome our two new gentlemen into the Ashlar House family.

At Ashlar House, we take the time to truly understand each resident as an individual. Their happiness, wellbeing and life enrichment are at the heart of everything we do. As they settle into their new home, we look forward to discovering their interests, passions and favourite activities, creating meaningful experiences alongside our wonderful care team.

Today was all about getting to know each other, spending time together through relaxed conversations, sharing books and discovering common interests.

Throughout the day, we introduced ad hoc activities whenever they felt appropriate, allowing everyone to participate naturally and at their own pace.

A special thank you to Little George for taking part in a word search with us and for sharing your interest and enthusiasm for your game console. It was lovely to see you sharing what you enjoy and getting involved in your own unique way.

We also understand how important reassurance is for loved ones. It was lovely to welcome their families and introduce them to the home, our team and the warm, caring environment we are so proud to provide.

Our aim is for every resident and family to feel that Ashlar House is not simply a care home, but a home filled with love, dignity, respect and belonging.

Welcome to the family, gentlemen — we are so happy to have you with us!     

Tuesday Jazz, staff laughter and a very special 70th birthday in the spotlight

Tuesday Jazz, staff laughter and a very special 70th birthday in the spotlight

Oh, the Ashlar House team  you really do know how to be yourselves! It’s the laughter, music, fun and togetherness that brings out the best in everyone.

Celebrating special moments, making memories and, most importantly, bringing the best out of all. What a wonderful day at Ashlar House! 
 

Trip out for lunch at the George & Dragon Pub

Trip out for lunch at the George & Dragon Pub

Our residents enjoyed a lovely trip out for lunch at the George & Dragon Pub.

It had been one of the most talked-about outings of the week, and it certainly didn’t disappoint! Everyone enjoyed great food, wonderful company, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Spending quality time with their peers in a different setting is so important, offering opportunities to socialise, share laughter, and create wonderful memories together. It was a fantastic afternoon filled with great food, great company, and plenty of smiles.    

We believe every milestone deserves to be celebrated

We believe every milestone deserves to be celebrated

At Ashlar House, we believe every milestone deserves to be celebrated, because it’s the moments shared with loved ones that truly matter.

We were honoured to host a belated surprise celebration for one of our wonderful residents, bringing together family and friends for an afternoon filled with love, laughter, and treasured memories.

Our resident’s wife, who has become such a cherished part of the Ashlar House family, joined us for the occasion as everyone raised a glass of soft fizz, or wine in celebration. The room was filled with smiles as guests sang along with the microphone, danced together, and enjoyed each other’s company.

These are the moments that remind us that care is about so much more than meeting needs it’s about celebrating life, nurturing relationships, and creating memories that will be cherished for years to come. Moments like these are what make Ashlar House a place to call home.  

Virtual reality session

Virtual reality session

The Virtual Reality session was warmly welcomed by residents, regular participants, new members, and their families. Everyone had the opportunity to experience different destinations virtually, creating a sense of adventure and allowing them to explore places beyond their everyday surroundings.

The experience sparked enthusiasm and led to meaningful conversations about favourite places, past holidays, travel memories, and destinations residents would love to visit. It was particularly valuable for those who may no longer have the opportunity to travel, offering a way to reconnect with familiar places or discover somewhere completely new.

The session supported social engagement, reminiscence, curiosity, and emotional wellbeing, while also providing families with an enjoyable experience to share together. It encouraged interaction and storytelling in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.     

George goes on tour

George goes on tour

At just 5 weeks old, little George the piglet decided it was time to leave the farm and see what all the fuss was about in the big wide world!

His last stop was Ashlar House, where he made a very brief but VERY memorable appearance!

The residents were absolutely delighted to meet their tiny four-legged visitors, although we’re not sure who was more excited… the residents to see George, or George to see all the fuss being made about him!

At only 5 weeks old, George is already quite the celebrity. He arrived, stole everyone’s hearts, posed for a few cuddles and then headed off again to talk about making an entrance!

We think he’ll need a manager soon!        

YOUR HAIR IS THE CROWN YOU NEVER TAKE OFF!

YOUR HAIR IS THE CROWN YOU NEVER TAKE OFF!

We’re delighted to announce that Liane, your private stylist, will be visiting their Beautiful Salon at Ashlar House once a month, for the entire day!

Liane will provide a personal, relaxed styling experience tailored to each resident’s individual needs, ensuring everyone receives the care, attention and service that’s right for them. Room service is also available for residents who prefer to be seen in the comfort of their own room.

Summer of love

Summer of love

Our residents enjoyed a wonderful 1960s Summer of Love celebration, filled with iconic hits, festival vibes, and plenty of smiles!

A huge thank you to Sofie, who was amazing and helped make the day so special. The bright yellow balloons brought so much colour, joy, and summer spirit to our residents’ homes, creating the perfect feel-good atmosphere.

It was a fantastic afternoon of music, laughter, and happy memories that everyone will cherish.      

Creative Mojo

Creative Mojo

Our Creative Mojo session took place in our beautiful sensory garden, where residents, families, and staff came together for a fun-filled ice cream-themed activity.

One family member brought her GCSE art skills to light, and her creativity shone through in the breeze and warm sunshine, adding even more colour and inspiration to the afternoon.

There was plenty of laughter, creativity, and teamwork as everyone enjoyed making colourful ice cream-inspired crafts while spending quality time outdoors. It was wonderful to see families and staff joining in, creating special memories alongside our Ashlar House residents.

Thank you to everyone who took part and helped make the day such a sweet success!   

Personalised Live Entertainment with Carly Ann

Personalised Live Entertainment with Carly Ann

Our residents always enjoy their special live entertainment sessions with Carly Ann!

Her room visits and small-group showcases have become a much-loved part of life here, bringing music, smiles and plenty of wonderful memories.

What makes these sessions extra special is the personal touch. Residents can share their favourite songs with Carly Ann in advance or make a request during her 15-minute showcase.

Sometimes, these sessions lead to wonderful sing-alongs, with families joining in and sharing the joy of music together. It’s lovely to see residents, relatives and Carly Ann singing along, reminiscing about special memories and enjoying music that means something to them.

A little music can create some very meaningful moments.  

Activities and Events Partnerships

As part of our bespoke life-enrichment programmes, we host a number of live virtual events in the home on a regular basis through a number of partnerships with places of interest and world class performance companies

English National Ballet
Together With Music
Blenheim Palace
Oomph!
NAPA
Bloomin Haus
Vegetarian For Life
Sea Life Trust - Beluga Whale Sanctuary
Historic Environment Scotland
Five Sisters Zoo
Damian Bailey Photography

Life enrichment

With us, it's all about making every day meaningful for our residents. We do this through our Life Enrichment programme, designed to suit the needs of each person in our care, and support individuals in retaining their joy, purpose and life skills for as long as possible. We offer a range of daily activities for individuals to get involved in, whether that's socially as part of a group, solo or with a team member, ensuring everyone receives the support that adds enrichment to their life.

Watch our video on life enrichment in our homes.

Useful guides and information

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Care & Facilities

Care & Facilities

Our facilities are designed to the highest standards and the care we provide is delivered by passionate and highly-trained professionals.

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Food & Nutrition

Food & Nutrition

We offer a constantly evolving menu that caters to the tastes and dietary requirements of those we support.

Find out more about our food & nutrition

Your next steps to finding care

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