Activities at Atfield House Care Home

Atfield House opened its doors to our small visitors this year for a trick or treat tour through Atfield House. Many of our residents were excited to welcome our small visitors.

There were skeletons, masks and all sorts of Halloween costumes, but our Residents felt happy and cheerful to see them and fill up their buckets with chocolates and sweets. 

They were greeted by Jean, our former deputy Head-teacher and were encouraged to dip their  hands into the basket and say thank you! Gillian had a big smile and Rosemary handed out the sweets, keeping a few for later. What a wise decision!

Our Manager Subin was at hand with more chocolates too, and when the children left, their buckets were well filled!

In Asia, India and Nepal as they are known as Hindu countries, Diwali is one of the biggest and important festival celebrated. It is the festival of lighting, family gathering, helping others.

At Atfield House Care Home we have always been proud of our diverse workforce and we make it a point to celebrate and showcase this diversity.

This year, the staff here at Atfield House came together to put up a fabulous display of pomp and colour in our shared Diwali celebrations. All of Atfield House was decked up in the festive spirit. Staff too, joined in their best traditional attires to greet and celebrate with our residents.

The celebrations started with an afternoon of learning about the history and significance of Diwali. Residents were given the chance to have a Tika signed on their forehead. Its meaning was described by one of our Staff members as: Tika is believed to prevent the loss of “energy”, the red 'Tika' between the eyebrows is said to retain energy in the human body and control the various levels of concentration. While applying Tika the points on the mid-brow region and Adnya-chakra are automatically pressed.

Staff put their best foot forward as they choreographed and performed special dance routines to enthral the guests.

After a lot of music, dance and laughter, we all indulged in some Asian inspired savouries and sweet treats, prepared by our chef. Residents enjoyed the food, music and dance. Our small and big visitors participated in the Diwali celebrations and had a Tika or a henna Mehendi drawn on their hands, enjoyed some tasty food and joined the dance!

On Saturday, the 28 of September, Atfield House in Isleworth opened its doors to host an Art Exhibition of Stephen Turrell, a resident artist at the Care Home.

The dining room became the art gallery for the afternoon, and slowly guests streamed in, and the room filled up with busy and excited viewers and soon after, the first paintings were sold. 

The art filled every corner of the room, a life-time of artistic expressions. The scenes were of busy London streets, a concert hall, horse races, and much more.

Stephen is a true London artist and he shows a love for people in his art. 

His family and friends were excited about this exhibition and attended this once in a life- time opportunity to see so much of his art- work in one display. Staff members and Residents were impressed with the art work and many pieces were sold in this exhibition.

About the Artist in Residence, by Sally Turrell: 

Stephen Turrell has been an artist for many years now, he enjoyed art as a child but picked up the brush again when his daughter Sally came home from school in 1986 upset because she couldn’t paint something. After a painting lesson from her dad (Stephen Turrell), he was then inspired to pick up the brush again. To this day, Stephen hasn't stopped painting, but not as often as he would like!

Painting became a joy for Stephen, and yearly he submitted artwork to a panel of judges a the Royal Academy of Art,  and his art was hung and sold at the Royal Academy in the year 2000!

Stephen paints from his imagination and places of experience rather than sitting and painting a scene or place and his artwork has made it to many places through family, friends and the local community.

As well as painting, Stephen took a liking to sketching funny faces by starting with a squiggle and making faces out of them.

Stephen recently held an exhibition at his care home it was enjoyed by family, friends and staff- we couldn’t believe how many paintings Stephen has created over the year - he was surprised himself!!!  The exhibition was held in the dining room and it was absolutely full of paintings from corner to corner - As the daughter of Stephen Turrell I’d like to thank the wonderful team at Atfield Hose Care home for hosting such a personal and  memorable exhibition which took me back to my childhood and of course for the continuous care they give to my dad and all residents.

Stephen has enjoyed his exhibition a lot and felt happy selling so much art, but more than that, it gave him joy, that people liked his work.

He has since then participated putting his skill to paper, creating lovely watercolours on cards in our card making work-shop!

On 9th September, we at Atfield House, celebrated National Emergency Services Day.

We took this opportunity to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our local emergency service personnel.

We invited members of the Isleworth and Heston Fire Service, the London Ambulance Service and the local police service to pop in for a cuppa and cake all day at our care home. Our Chef prepared his delicious cream cakes and scones for this special occasion. We were thrilled to entertain our guest from the London Ambulance Services and our Residents thoroughly enjoyed the interesting exchange of stories with the ambulance service sharing amazing stories about their professional lives. It was a great opportunity to celebrate the lives and stories of the many residents in our care whilst being grateful to the wonderful service provided by our local heroes.

Atfield House celebrated the Carnival Weekend with their very own Carnival ball . Friends and Family members were invited and Residents had decorated the masquerade Masks ahead of the Ball, so everyone could wear one! There were  pom-poms in different colours, ready for the Ball. The surprise , how-ever were the Carnival dancers, that joined us with their special, colourful and stunning costumes. These dancers, with their carnival music got everyone participating, waving pom-poms, dancing, or just looking with amazement. After the Ball the dancers visited Residents in their rooms. Patrick wore his masquerade mask for the occasion . He used to enjoy going to the Carnival too! Mary had her carnival  visit and smiled! Now 103 she seem to know everything, that’s going on in the world, that can be enjoyed!

All the Residents said afterwards, that they really enjoyed it, the costumes, the dancing and a lovely afternoon having fun together!

Atfield House celebrated their Summer Party on Saturday the 17th of August. The weather was just fine for such an afternoon, and Residents could sit inside or in the Garden to enjoy Tracey`s  lovely smooth voice, Performing popular jazz songs from the 60`s and 70`s.  Residents and their visitors came to listen, enjoying the sunshine and a glass of wine outside, or sit in the cool inside. A Buffett provided all with savoury and sweet bites to tickle the senses, including a variety of drinks. Residents, remarked, how they enjoyed these nibbles. A Butterfly stilts walker also kept guests and Residents with colourful wings and tall legs smiling, as she passed by and walked around the garden She even took  a walk to our Memory lane and Residents were delighted and smiled! Our Stilts walker really was touched by  the response she was given by Residents there!. Face painting and fishing was especially nice activity for our younger guests, as they enjoyed themselves in the Garden and in turn brought joy to our Residents! Residents remarked later, how they enjoyed this party, sitting outside, and nibbling on some breaded shrimps, enjoying all that unfolded for eyes, ears and of course our taste-bud senses. Our chef did really go the extra mile, to provide a colourful Buffett, with something for everyone to enjoy! The desserts looked great and tasted refreshing. Thanks to all the help and attention to detail by staff, we enjoyed a truly beautiful afternoon together.