Activities at Ashlar House Care Home

Earlier this week, we had a fantastic Live Open Request session with Carly Ann in the lounge and our 1-to-1 entertainment room.

Residents, staff, and even visiting families couldn’t resist joining in the fun. There were plenty of laughs, singing, dancing, and a few joyful outbursts along the way!

Moments like these truly show the wonderful quality of life and happiness we share here at Ashlar House.  

Friday night’s Gala was filled with great food, laughter, live music, and dancing all coming together for an incredible cause.

The generosity of everyone who attended, donated, and supported, an amazing £7,500 was raised to help purchase Patch, a therapy horse for the Chigwell Riding Trust.

This contribution means so much to the people who benefit from the Trust’s life-changing work.   

It was also a proud moment for Ashlar House, as our Administrator, Agnes, and Rita represented the team with professionalism, warmth, and exceptional networking skills throughout the evening. Rita was on camera and middling duty for the event.

We were delighted to enjoy a wonderful conversation with Neil Hudson, highlighting the importance of community engagement, partnership, and supporting local initiatives.

It was fantastic to see the community come together to celebrate commitment, leadership, and collaboration. The value of networking and raising awareness of who we are and what we do is truly invaluable.

And finally, congratulations to Agnes for winning the raffle!     

Residents at Ashlar House have been gearing up for a wonderful late afternoon with live duo entertainment from The D-Day Dollies! Our residents proudly helped contribute to the decorations and atmosphere, making the day extra special.

We also spent time sharing what VE Day means to us all, remembering the courage, sacrifice, and celebrations of freedom.

A lovely way to end the day before supper!         

The Ashlar House team, alongside our wonderful families and local business networking community, came together with one shared purpose to make a difference. What started as a simple idea grew into something truly special, as we united to raise an incredible £500.

This journey was sparked by Sharon, who first promoted her Managing Director, Angela Bradford, and the Barchester charity cook-off during a networking event, a moment of inspiration that brought people together and set everything in motion. The attendees were inspired by the amazing charities Barchester Healthcare supports, and they also joined in with the fundraising.
At the heart of it all, Rita took on the unique challenge of a sponsored silence, a quiet act that spoke volumes. Through her effort, and the support of so many, we stood proudly beside Angela and a cause that touches lives in the most meaningful ways.

A heartfelt thank you to Mitchell from Cadets for generously printing our cheque, a small gesture that helped bring this moment to life.

Barchester’s Charitable Foundation is dedicated to helping older people and adults living with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, or mental health challenges across England, Scotland, and Wales.

Their work focusses on reconnecting people with their communities, easing loneliness, and creating opportunities for joy, movement, and togetherness.

Through grants that support mobility, group activities, and wellbeing, they help individuals rediscover connection and live fuller, more enriched lives.

International Tea Day, observed each year on May 21st and proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019, offers a moment to pause and appreciate the rich cultural heritage and simple pleasures that tea brings to our lives. Ashlar House marked the occasion in truly elegant fashion. Guests were treated to freshly homemade cake, delicately paired with cream and served alongside fine tea in classic bone China, each detail evoking a sense of timeless refinement. 

The atmosphere was further elevated by the gentle presence of smooth afternoon jazz, beautifully performed by Alex Southgate, whose music provided the perfect backdrop to an afternoon of warmth, conversation, and quiet indulgence. It was a celebration not only of tea itself, but of togetherness, tradition, and the small rituals that make everyday moments feel extraordinary.   

We celebrate and thank all the incredible nursing staff and retired residents at Ashlar House for their dedication, compassion, and years of caring for others. Your hard work, kindness, and commitment have made such a difference in so many lives.

Wishing you all a very special day filled with appreciation and gratitude. Thank you for everything you do and have done throughout your nursing career.                  

Over the years, staff have listened and learnt so much from our residents and peers about VE Day memories and experiences.

We sat alongside them listening to Paul Webster’s VE Day presentation and case studies.

We listened, absorbed, and reflected together. The session sparked so much feedback, conversation, and personal stories from everyone in the room. It was emotional, educational, and inspiring to hear individual experiences being shared so openly.

A truly engaging and educational afternoon for all.  

This afternoon, the galaxy felt a little closer… and a lot more musical. Alex took a hyperspace detour, blending smooth rhythms with a touch of rebellion.

The Force wasn’t just strong; it was swinging. From deep, moody sax lines that echoed like distant star systems, to bright bursts of brass that felt like lightsabres clashing, every note told a story.         

And just when the afternoon couldn’t get more surreal, a few familiar faces from the Star Wars crew paid a passing visit to mark the event, turning it into something truly out of this world. Some residents were pleasantly shocked by the surprise, while others loved the chance to hold glowing lightsabres and step into the adventure themselves.

A dedicated Star Wars fan, Lee, dressed up for the occasion and generously shared his collection of replica helmets, giving everyone a closer look at some iconic pieces from the saga.

Alongside that, others had great fun wielding lightsabres, bringing plenty of smiles and laughter. Somewhere between the grooves, you could almost hear star ships passing overhead and feel the pull of twin suns setting on a faraway world. Alex didn’t just sang jazz and reimagined the galaxy through it.

May your day be filled with music, imagination, and just a little bit of the Force.               

Thank you, Jill & Ravinder from the Epping Knit & Natter Community Group

Our residents had a wonderful time creating colourful pompoms from start to finish. It was a lovely session filled with shared knitting experiences, skills, and creative ideas.

Even our gentle resident took a stab at it, joining in and enjoying the moment.

Today’s session brought smiles, conversation, and plenty of inspiration. We’re already looking forward to the next one!     

A wonderful creative session with Paul Webster as we explored jewellery making together. 

It was fantastic to support both our team and residents in expressing their creativity, from beautifully personalised necklaces to unique handmade bracelets.

Hearing the laughter and the joy of their own success made the session even more special.

Moments like these are a great reminder of how creativity brings people together and boosts confidence and wellbeing.

A truly enjoyable and inspiring activity for everyone involved.         

Our Faith & Spiritual Service, led by St John’s Church, takes place every month on the second Thursday. This special session has become very important to many of our residents and their families who attend.

The service offers comfort, reflection, fellowship, and the opportunity to receive Holy Communion. Residents enjoy joining together in prayer and singing familiar hymns, with many recalling cherished memories through the music and words they know so well.

Thank you to everyone who supports and attends these meaningful gatherings.         

Residents enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of VE Day activities with booklets from Oompah On Demand, filled with historical facts and quizzes linked to VE Day.

I, Rita Green, also shared part of my old coin collection, including historic coins from Churchill’s era, which sparked engaging and intellectual conversations among the residents as they reflected on history and shared their memories.

The afternoon then led perfectly into live entertainment with the fantastic The D-Day Dollies performing at 4pm, creating a lively and nostalgic atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.    

Our fabulous Den from The Music Den is currently on the road to recovery at Ashlar House and we’re all wishing him strength and a smooth rehabilitation.

Even while recovering, Den kept the music alive, inviting staff onto his guest list and continuing to champion his passion: opening the door to the blues and keeping the fire burning.

The band Blues on Fire brought that passion to life delivering a powerful sound that kept the spirit high and the music flowing.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone at Hemnall Social Club for the warm welcome and incredible support. The spirit of Epping was truly alive full of energy, community, and great music.

Rock, Roots, Folk & Blues live and alive.       

What a beautiful sunny day to enjoy our sensory garden, which is open and ready for everyone to relax and unwind. Hats and shades are available, so you can stay cool while making the most of the sunshine.

We’re delighted to be joined by Tim Arthur, who’s creating a lovely atmosphere with his fabulous guitar playing fresh air, great music, and good company!    

Thank you for your VIP visit to Ashlar House. We don’t often get such distinguished (and woolly) guests. It turns out everyone needs a bit of pet therapy now and then… including the manager, who I’m fairly sure was two seconds away from asking you for life advice.

It was genuinely fascinating listening to the residents chatting away to you. Some were sharing stories, some were asking questions, and at least one seemed convinced you understood every word (to be fair, you did have a very wise expression).

It really made me wonder… were you silently judging us all, or just planning your next snack?

Either way, you brought smiles, laughter, and a lot of “aww” moments, which is exactly what we needed.

Please visit again soon. Ashlar House won’t be the same without its fluffiest therapist.