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.
Rita Green
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.
Read our brochure 'Life-enriching activities' for more information about life in our care homes.
Read our brochure
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
Life at Ashlar House Care Home
Feathered Friends Visit
Our friends at Performing Pets never fail to amaze us. This week the Performing Pets team introduced us to their stunning barn owls, Brenda and Brian.
These beautiful creatures dazzled residents with their calm nature and gorgeous feathers. Residents were delighted to see the amazing birds in the home and to be able to hold and touch them. Brenda and Brian were wonderfully well behaved and posed for magical photos in front of one of our Christmas trees.
We cannot wait to see the Performing Pets team again soon with yet another set of beautiful, friendly animals.
Christmas Wreath Making
We were delighted to join Blooming Haus’ Christmas Wreath Making Masterclass, where Master Florist, Michal showed us the best method to create beautiful festive wreaths.
Following the tips and ideas learnt during the amazing virtual experience, we were happy to put our skills to a test and to lay the foundations of our Christmas wreath.
Tomorrow all resident around the home will contribute their finishing touches to enter a competition to be judged by the master florists. Stay tuned.
Thank you Blooming Haus - Floral Engineers for helping our residents flow into the true spirit of Noel.
Lest We Forget
Ashlar House were proud to participate in the Remembrance Sunday Parade in Epping today along with our Town Mayor, local schools, Cadets and Scouts and others from our local community.
Led by the Epping Forest Pipe Band, Ashlar House were 5th from front and couldn’t have been more proud to represent our residents this Remembrance Sunday. Our residents families, past and present were among the many supporters.
Abridge Florist had created a beautiful fresh wreath which we laid among the many in honour of those that gave so much throughout history for the freedoms we all enjoy today.
During the minute of silence so many of the residents that have spent time in Ashlar house were at the forefront of our thoughts. The stories and memories that they shared with us, today we remember and thank you.
Air Cadets Visit
Air Cadets from the 414 Epping Air Cadets visited Ashlar House to deliver poppies to our residents.
Everyone was thrilled to see the young men and women in their uniforms.The residents shared stories of war time experience with the cadets, who in return explained how they earned their various badges and the activities that they take part in.
A Visit From A Ballerina
On the 9th of November, three generations from The Buckhurst Hill and Woodford School of Dance performed specially for residents and staff at Barchester’s Ashlar House Care Home.
Emily Pohl, the youngest of the family, born and bred into the dance industry from the age of 2, has been taught by BHW dance before training with prestigious ballet schools in London, took centre stage in front of the audience at the home, which lighted up the faces of the residents.
The combination of classical music, composed by Ludwig Minkus, the beautiful costumes, made by Sonia Bond – former principal of BHW dance, and the demonstration of various ballet solos from ‘Don Quioxte’, choreographed by Marius Petipa, allowed the audience to be transported into the hypnotic world of ballet.
Residents & staff were fully immersing themselves into the magical performance. They were fixated on the precise footwork within the pointe shoes, the intricate details on the diamond tutu as well as the artistry and passion conveyed within each ballet solo. It was incredibly touching to see the reaction and impact on each individual after the event had taken place. Dancing really is such a powerful tool to keep both the mind and body active, especially as the years fly by! That is partially why this collaboration took place - to inspire, energise and entertain the minds and souls of the residents.
Emily is one of the many pupils to advance into the professional world – including Matthew Bourne, the Royal Ballet, various musicals within the West End (Hairspray, High School Musical, Matilda, and English National Ballet) and Birmingham Royal Ballet. After having trained in London with Central School of Ballet and English National Ballet School, Emily has been selected to perform with English National Ballet Company and Birmingham Royal Ballet too. The endless performances, competitions, festivals and exams prepared her for the professional stage and fully equipped her with the necessary skills required to take her career forward.
BHW dance were extremely honoured to have been invited to perform at Ashlar House, run by Barchester Healthcare, and are looking forward to continue making a difference in the lives of many.
A big thank you to BHW dance, stay tuned for more upcoming events and collaborations.
Music For The Soul
Back by popular demand singer Robert Jerome shook the floor this afternoon with residents smiling, laughing, dancing and showing love, whilst shouting out their next song request.
This powerful music performance brought so much pleasure to both residents and staff. We look forward to welcoming Robert again next month for a special Christmas edition.
Upcoming events
Countdown to Christmas
Take a look at all of the wonderful festive events and activities throughout December. Please feel free to join our celebrations. Contacts us for more information.
