Activites at Ashlar House Care Home

Begin the day with tranquillity in our Morning Multi-Sensory Yoga session, a gentle blend of movement, sound, and visual serenity designed to soothe the body and calm the mind. Set against a backdrop of breathtaking waterfall views, residents are invited to flow through peaceful yoga poses as soft, relaxing music envelops the space.

Subtle LED lights flicker like candlelight, creating a warm, meditative atmosphere. With each breath, participants are guided to release pain, tension, and worries, letting them drift away like mist over the falls. This immersive, holistic experience awakens the senses and cultivates inner peace a nourishing start to a new day. 

Daphnie the Sensory Dementia Scarecrow is a thoughtful and purposeful creation, designed to raise awareness about dementia while providing comfort and sensory stimulation to those living with the condition. More than just a creative project, Daphnie serves as a symbol of compassion, understanding, and community spirit.

What makes Daphnie truly special is the involvement of our local Knit & Natter group at Ashlar House. Two residents participated in weaving the scarecrow’s arms, adding a personal and heartfelt touch to the project. Their contribution not only enhanced Daphnie’s sensory elements but also fostered meaningful engagement and connection through crafting.

Projects like Daphnie remind us of the power of creativity and community in making a difference one stitch at a time.

What a perfect way to ease into the weekend—an evening filled with fine cheese, a glass of wine, and the warmth of great company. Ashlar residents, families, friends, and staff came together to share laughter, stories, and a few joyful dance moves! 

A feel-good playlist set the mood in the background, creating the perfect atmosphere for relaxation and connection. It was truly a lovely night filled with smiles, music, and memories. Thank you to everyone who made it so special!

To each of you who gives your all, Who lifts us up when we might fall. Your kindness shines, your care runs deep. You soothe our pain, you guard our sleep. You meet each day with strength and grace, a gentle heart, a smiling face. In every task both big and small, you bring such love, you give your all.

At Ashlar House, your light is clear, a steady hand, a voice of cheer.
You go beyond what duty asks, with quiet strength in daily tasks.

Through every shift, through joy and strain, you carry hope, you ease the pain. You are the soul behind the care. A precious gift beyond compare.

Ashlar House was alive with colour and cheer as residents, staff, families, and friends came together to mark Trooping the Colour – a beloved tradition honouring the official birthday of the British Monarch. The celebration was a true reflection of community spirit, royal pride, and unforgettable entertainment.

The star of the afternoon was none other than entertainer Paul Lillie, who delivered a showstopping performance that had everyone singing and smiling. Paul took the stage dressed as some of Britain’s most iconic musical knights, including Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, and Sir Rod Stewart, each costume as dazzling as the last, with matching soundtracks that brought the house down.

But the performance didn’t stop there. With a theatrical twist, Paul also appeared as “King Charlie” a tongue-in-cheek tribute to His Majesty King Charles III, complete with regal attire and royal charm. Needless to say, “King Charlie” was a cut above the rest and left quite the impression!

With flags waving, voices singing, and hearts full of joy, the event was a true celebration of tradition, music, and the magic of shared moments. Ashlar House once again proved that when it comes to bringing people together, they do it in style.

Ashlar House is now six weeks into the pilot of Doccla, an innovative remote monitoring tool aimed at reducing unnecessary hospital admissions. The initiative supports the concept of a “virtual hospital at home,” enabling patients to be closely monitored in the comfort and familiarity of their own surroundings, while still under the clinical oversight of healthcare professionals.

As part of the project, patients receive a Doccla box, which includes a set of monitoring devices and a mobile phone or tablet. With this equipment, patients can regularly share updates on how they’re feeling and record vital signs such as blood pressure, oxygen levels, and heart rate. This information is then reviewed by clinicians, including doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists, who track their progress and intervene if needed.

The Ashlar House team has been actively engaged in the rollout and evaluation of the technology, working closely with the Doccla team to integrate it into day-to-day care. Recently, we were pleased to welcome colleagues from Germany, who visited to observe the system in action and learn from our experience.

A special thank you goes to our resident Gertrude, who generously took part in a live demonstration and helped us showcase the potential of remote monitoring to enhance care and promote independence. 

Ashlar House brought the spirit of Dementia Action Week 2025 to life with a vibrant Dementia Disco! Residents and staff embraced the fun by donning funky glasses and dancing through the decades — from the rocking’ 50s and grooving’ 60s to today’s top hits.

Music is a powerful connector — it gets people moving, and even those with limited mobility light up with smiles, wave their hands, sing along, and often show pure joy in their eyes. 

For our residents, music sparked treasured memories, heartfelt connections, and pure happiness. Best of all, families couldn’t help but join in the fun!

From singing along with Elvis to dancing to today’s beats, it was a heart-warming celebration of life, community, and the enduring magic of music. 

Here in Epping Forest, we are proud to be building a dementia-friendly community—where every person living with dementia is respected, supported, and truly valued.

At the heart of this effort is Barchester Ashlar House, a care home that goes far beyond the basics. It’s not just a service—it’s a family.

Rita Green, our dedicated Activist Coordinator, works hand-in-hand with Flavia, our caring and committed Registered Manager. Flavia Sparhat brings warmth and leadership to everything she does, always putting the needs of the residents and their families first.

“Our home is more than a place to live—it’s a place to belong,” says Flavia. "Our home is their home. We are a family here.”

Every resident is treated as an individual, with dignity, compassion, and love. Rita adds, “No textbook can teach what we learn from our residents. Every person is a new story, a new chapter.”

As part of the wider Epping Forest – Dementia Friendly initiative, supported by our new Town Mayor Janet Whitehouse, Ashlar House is proud to lead by example. Together, we are creating an environment where kindness, understanding, and connection come first.

Step into a whole new world with our Virtual Reality Goggles. Designed to gently fit over the eyes, these goggles transport you into immersive, lifelike environments where you can explore different countries, cultures, and landscapes from the comfort of your seat. As you move your head, the scene shifts with you, revealing stunning sights in every direction.

Each resident receives a dedicated session to enjoy a guided virtual tour of a destination of their choice. Whether you’re strolling through the charming streets of Rome, relaxing by the ocean in Thailand, or wandering through the peaceful forests of Canada, the experience feels incredibly real, calming, and engaging.

But it’s not just about what you see; you’ll hear it all, too. The soft sounds of local life, music, nature, and culture surround you, creating a deeply immersive experience that truly brings each place to life.

Both residents and staff have described it as a truly unique and unforgettable experience.