Activities at Austen House Care Home
Our teams are trained to enrich the lives of residents through stimulating the mind, body and soul, and taking the time to learn about each person to ensure everyone receives support that adds enrichment to their life.
Here at Austen House, we like to get to know those we support, and from the day of moving in, our activities team will spend time on an individual basis learning about interests, likes and dislikes, life history and favourite hobbies.
We provide a wide range of activities, from one-to-one time, manicures and board games, through to live entertainment, prize bingo and our ever-popular cheese & wine events. Our activities team will also tailor individual activities to ensure residents can have as much or as little involvement as they choose.
In the summer months, greater focus is given to outdoor activities, such as barbecues and garden parties. In conjunction with our Chef, themed events are planned throughout the year, bringing activities and food together.
In their pink polo shirts, our activities team are easily identifiable and embrace ideas and suggestions from residents and their relatives to ensure that the activities provided keep those we support engaged, stimulated and entertained.
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 Austen House Care Home
Pizza Perfection: A Slice of Joy at Austen House!
Few things bring people together quite like the joy of pizza, and at Austen House, our residents recently had the chance to become pizza chefs for the day! Thanks to our dedicated Life Enrichment team, the home was transformed into a pizzeria, filled with laughter, creativity, and, of course, the mouth-watering aroma of freshly baked pizza.
From kneading the dough to selecting their favourite toppings, our residents fully embraced the experience. Whether opting for classic pepperoni, fresh veggies, or a little bit of everything, each pizza was a unique creation—a reflection of personal taste and culinary flair!
As the pizzas baked to perfection, the anticipation grew, and when the time finally came to taste their delicious handiwork, the smiles said it all. It was a heart-warming afternoon of fun, flavour, and friendship, proving that the best meals are the ones made, and shared, with love.
A big thank you to our Life Enrichment team for making this experience so special. Here’s to many more delicious adventures in the kitchen!
A Creative and Tasty Valentine’s Celebration!
Love (and icing!) was in the air at Austen House Care Home as our residents got creative in a special Valentine’s Day decoration workshop. Led by Joy, one of Barchester’s senior head chefs, this interactive live event was the perfect way to celebrate the season of love, with a delightful mix of artistry and sweet treats!
Our residents had a fantastic time decorating cakes and biscuits, each adding their own unique flair with colourful icing, sprinkles, and plenty of imagination. Whether crafting delicate heart-shaped designs or piling on the toppings for a more indulgent masterpiece, everyone embraced the joy of the occasion. The best part? Tasting their delicious creations afterwards!
Beyond the decorating, the day was filled with laughter, conversation, and cherished memories. It was a wonderful way to bring everyone together, sparking creativity while enjoying the simple pleasure of a sweet treat shared amongst friends.
A heartfelt thank you to Joy for leading such a fantastic session and to our amazing team for making Valentine’s Day extra special. Wishing you all a day filled with love, joy, and something sweet!
Flipping Fun: A Pancake Day to Remember!
There was plenty of flipping, laughter, and delicious treats at Austen House as our residents celebrated Pancake Day in style! The sweet aroma of pancakes filled the air as everyone gathered to take part in the festivities, reminiscing about their favourite childhood traditions and, of course, indulging in some tasty treats.
From the timeless combination of lemon and sugar to the irresistible delight of chocolate and fresh fruit, our residents had a wonderful time choosing their favourite toppings. Some even got adventurous, creating their own unique pancake masterpieces! The joy was infectious, with smiles and laughter echoing through the room as our team made sure every resident felt involved in the fun.
For many, Pancake Day is more than just a treat; it’s a cherished tradition that brings back fond memories of family kitchens, friendly competitions, and the simple pleasure of sharing food with loved ones. Seeing the delight on our residents’ faces reminded us of the importance of these special moments, where connection and joy take centre stage.
A huge thank you to our dedicated team for making the day extra special, ensuring that everyone had a chance to enjoy the fun. It’s days like these that truly make Austen House a home full of warmth, laughter, and love.
Here’s to many more celebrations together!
Butterfly Buddies: The magic of intergenerational friendships
At Austen House, we know that true friendship has no age limits, and our Butterfly Buddies sessions are a beautiful reminder of that! These heart-warming gatherings bring together our wonderful residents and local children, creating special moments filled with laughter, learning, and joy.
Intergenerational friendships offer incredible benefits for both young and old. The presence of children brings a renewed sense of energy and connection to our residents, while the little ones gain wisdom and perspective from those with a lifetime of experiences to share. Through storytelling, crafts, and simple conversations, these sessions strengthen communication skills, boost happiness, and spark creativity in the most delightful ways.
Each Butterfly Buddies session is a chance for friendships to blossom—just like butterflies emerging with new life. We are truly grateful for these magical moments and look forward to many more!
Joy in every step!
At Austen House, we love finding ways to keep our residents active, engaged, and most importantly—having fun! Today’s Movement to Music session was a perfect example of how music brings people together, filling our home with energy, laughter, and a whole lot of rhythm.
With classic tunes playing, our residents stretched, swayed, and danced, each movement bringing smiles and a sense of joy. Whether it was a gentle tap of the feet, a graceful sway, or a lively boogie, every step was a celebration of music’s uplifting power.
These moments of movement not only bring physical benefits but also brighten spirits, reminding us all of the joy that comes from simply letting the music guide us.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined in and made this session so special. Let’s keep the rhythm going and the smiles shining!
A Blooming Celebration: International Flower Day at Austen House
At Austen House, we believe in celebrating the little joys that bring smiles to our residents and team. This International Flower Day was no exception! Our home was transformed into a floral paradise, filled with the vibrant colours and sweet scents of fresh blooms.
Residents eagerly took part in a wonderful flower-arranging activity, creating stunning bouquets with creativity and care. Each arrangement reflected their artistic flair and appreciation for nature, making the day both engaging and meaningful.
But the highlight of the celebration was the heartfelt gesture that followed—our residents gifted their beautiful floral creations to our dedicated nurses and admin team. It was a touching way to express gratitude for their kindness, hard work, and unwavering dedication to the well-being of everyone at Austen House.
The atmosphere was filled with laughter, appreciation, and the warmth of community spirit. As flowers were shared, so too were moments of joy and connection, reminding us all of the beauty in giving and receiving kindness.
A huge thank you to everyone who participated in making this day so special. Here’s to more celebrations that bring happiness and togetherness to our Austen House family!
