Activities at Beaufort Grange Care Home

We had a lovely time enjoying the virtual talk on garden birds and bird watching today.
Anne and Liz both said how interesting they found it, and it sparked a great chat about all the birds we’ve spotted in our own gardens.
Liz shared a wonderful story about the murmurations she saw at Severn Beach, which everyone loved hearing about. From robins to cheeky sparrows, there were plenty of bird stories and memories shared!
Things got very enthusiastic when our activity coordinator decided the next step is a bird box with a camera… watch this space.
We’re also looking forward to taking part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, so there’ll be even more bird spotting to come!
A simple talk, great conversation, and lots of smiles – just how we like!

Beaufort Grange was filled with festive cheer as we welcomed a very special visitor, Father Christmas himself! Residents were delighted as he arrived to personally deliver gifts, bringing plenty of smiles, laughter, and Christmas magic with him.

Adding to the celebration was the wonderful George Reid, whose singing created a truly joyful atmosphere. Residents joined in, sang along, and enjoyed familiar festive favourites that brought back many happy memories. The combination of music, gifts, and good company made the day extra special.

It was heart-warming to see so many smiling faces and to share such a lovely moment together. A huge thank you to Father Christmas and George Reid for helping make this festive visit one to remember.     

On the first Monday of the month, our home was filled with song and smiles as we held another joyous session of our Memory Lane community brought to life by the wonderful team from Golden Oldies Charity. Residents gathered in the lounge, tapping their feet, humming along and sharing memories as familiar tunes from decades past filled the air. 

As voices rose, the room brimmed with warmth, connection and the affirmation that life here is about more than care, it’s about belonging, memory and music bringing us together. What a wonderful way to mark the start of a new month.  

Staying active is an important part of life at Beaufort Grange, and our Boxercise sessions have become a favourite among residents. This fun, energetic activity combines simple boxing movements with light cardio exercises, designed to suit all abilities. With the support of Care Centre Sport and Exercise and our enthusiastic activity team, residents are encouraged to take part at their own pace, whether it’s throwing a few punches, moving their feet, or simply enjoying the group atmosphere. 

The sessions are a wonderful way to boost energy, improve mobility, and increase confidence, all while having a great time. Most importantly, Boxercise brings plenty of laughter and a sense of achievement. Our residents always finish with big smiles and a real feeling of accomplishment. It’s a fantastic example of how keeping active can also be social, supportive, and lots of fun!

Our recent Culture Day was a truly wonderful celebration of togetherness, talent, and diversity. Care and activity staff amazed everyone by learning a traditional Indian dance, stepping out in vibrant Indian dress and putting on a performance that residents, families, and colleagues all agreed was simply brilliant. Their enthusiasm and effort created such a joyful atmosphere and reminded us how special it is to share and embrace different cultures.

The day was filled with unforgettable entertainment provided by staff, residents, and their families. From the fun of a royally British dog show, to the energy of a live performance of Wonderwall by Noasis, there was something for everyone to enjoy. We were also treated to a moving violin and keyboard performance, showcasing the incredible talents within our community.

To bring the day to a close, we shared a heartfelt moment together as the final performance of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” filled the room with warmth and emotion. It was the perfect ending to a day that highlighted the spirit of unity, celebration, and joy that makes our community so special.

What a fantastic time we had celebrating Elvis’s birthday today! Andy joined us for a brilliant Elvis celebration, and the room was absolutely buzzing. Residents were singing, dancing, and clapping along, while staff and residents proudly donned their Elvis masks and showed off their best moves on the dance floor. 
So much laughter, energy, and pure joy, proof that the King’s music still gets everyone up and moving. Thank you, Andy, for making it a day to remember!

Residents at Beaufort Grange recently enjoyed a festive flower-arranging session, led by Master Florist Kathryn Delve, as part of a Christmas-inspired virtual event.

The demonstration was streamed live to Barchester care homes and hospitals across the country, giving residents the opportunity to take part in a shared experience while learning new skills. With expert guidance, residents created beautiful Christmas table centrepieces, choosing colours and textures to suit their own styles.

The session was relaxed, engaging, and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone involved. Residents took pride in their finished arrangements, which added a seasonal touch to shared areas around the home.

It was a wonderful afternoon that combined creativity, learning, and festive spirit.    

Harvest Fun at Beaufort Grange! This week we got into the spirit of the season with our residents rolling up their sleeves and getting crafty. Mini-scarecrows were made, colourful leaves fluttered, and the bistro was alive with chatter and autumn treats. Smiles all around as everyone embraced the harvest theme. 

One of our residents, Marina, even remarked how making the scarecrow brought back memories of family fun in the garden and John was laughing over a childhood memory of  scrumping and getting caught by the police. Time was spent together, laughing, creating and savouring the simple pleasure of the season. A huge thank you to all who joined in and made it such a vibrant afternoon of connection and joy.  

At Beaufort Grange, we believe in bringing the joy of different traditions and cultures to our residents, and our Oktoberfest celebration was no exception. The home was transformed with Bavarian-inspired decorations, music, and a lively atmosphere that had everyone smiling. 

Residents enjoyed a special menu featuring traditional German treats, while clinking glasses (alcohol-free of course!) and sharing stories with friends and staff. There was plenty of laughter, singing along to classic Oktoberfest tunes, and even a few dance moves on display. Events like this not only create wonderful memories, but also spark conversations about travel, traditions, and experiences. Our Oktoberfest was a real highlight of the month and reminded us all the joy that comes from celebrating together.  

We recently had the joy of celebrating a very special moment with our wonderful Activities Coordinator, Charly, who recently tied the knot with her new husband, Stuart!

To share the happiness of their big day, Charly and Stuart paid a visit to our home, dressed in their wedding finery. It was a wonderful afternoon as they recreated their first dance right here in our lounge—complete with music, smiles, and a few happy tears from our residents and team alike.

Everyone joined in the celebration with glasses of champagne or Prosecco, toasting to love, laughter, and lifelong happiness. The couple then made their way around the home, visiting residents in their rooms and sharing their joy personally with those who couldn’t join the group gathering. The smiles on our residents’ faces said it all—what a wonderful memory for all of us to keep!

Charly is a much-loved member of our team, and it meant the world to us that she chose to include our residents in such an important part of her life. Congratulations again, Charly and Stuart—you brought so much love into our home, and we couldn’t be happier for you both!
 

We welcomed the New Year at Beaufort Grange with plenty of energy, laughter, and fun. The celebrations kicked off with karaoke, where residents showed off their singing skills and cheered each other on. There was lots of dancing, smiles, and a great sense of togetherness as everyone joined in the fun.

To start the year on a positive and active note, residents then enjoyed a New Year walk around Stoke Park. It was a refreshing way to celebrate fresh beginnings, enjoy the outdoors, and reflect on the year ahead.

The day was full of joy, movement, and community spirit, a fantastic way to step into the New Year together.      

There was plenty of laughter at Beaufort Grange during a lively visit from Memory Lane Entertainment, who brought music, magic, and festive fun to residents, visitors, and team members.

The interactive performance had everyone smiling from start to finish, with light-hearted moments and surprises keeping the atmosphere upbeat and inclusive. Residents enjoyed watching the magic unfold and joining in with the entertainment, while the team helped create a relaxed and joyful environment.

The afternoon ended on a high note, with everyone up on their feet, singing and dancing along to “The 12 Days of Christmas.” It was a fantastic shared experience that created lasting memories and plenty of conversation long after the performance ended.

Events like this play an important role in bringing people together and adding variety to daily life at Beaufort Grange.   

At Beaufort Grange we find that bringing in animals of all kinds bring joy and comfort to our residents and this month we welcomed some very special guests to Beaufort Grange: a gentle therapy dog Simba and her companion handler Marilyn, who spent a joyful afternoon with our residents in the lounge and visiting residents in their rooms. Soft paw-prints on laps, delighted laughter, and warm greetings filled the room as tails wagged and memories stirred. 

Sylvia remarked, “I haven’t felt this calm in ages” as she stroked her furry friend, while Marina reminisced about the family dog she used to take for walks. The visit brought comfort, connection and a shared sense of wellbeing across all our community. A heartfelt thank you to our visitors for bringing such light and love into our home. We also had creature comforts come visit us, bringing a python, field mouse, a dwarf hamster, a tortoise and, of course, Tia her Pomeranian, who had everyone smiling and her joyful tricks. These types of activities truly enrich the lives of our residents.

We recently enjoyed a wonderful minibus trip to the Great Western Steam Museum, and it truly was a day to remember. Residents, staff, and volunteers all had a fantastic time exploring the rich history of the railways, with plenty of opportunities to reminisce and share stories along the way. The atmosphere was full of excitement and nostalgia as we admired the beautifully preserved engines and carriages.

One of the highlights of the day was hearing from John, who has always been a great fan of steam trains. Standing proudly beside the engines, he told us that visiting the museum was nothing short of a dream come true. He smiled as he said that if he could tell his younger self he’d still be enjoying trips like this at nearly 100 years old, he wouldn’t believe it! His joy and enthusiasm were infectious and touched everyone who was there.

It was a truly special outing filled with laughter, memories, and meaningful moments. Days like these remind us how important it is to create experiences that bring happiness and connection, and we’re already looking forward to our next adventure together.

Residents and staff at our home had the pleasure of welcoming the fire brigade from Avon Fire& Rescue Service, turning an ordinary day into an exciting and educational experience. The visit from the friendly firefighters was a great opportunity to learn more about their important work.

Our Manager, Raji said: "Our local firefighters put their lives on the line every day to save our lives, loved ones and homes, and even our forests, cities and towns, so we were very honoured they decided to spend some of their precious time visiting our residents. I’d like to take the opportunity to let them know just how much we appreciate all that they do for us.  We think they are truly wonderful human beings.”

One of our residents who particularly enjoyed the visit and reminisced about his days back in the Royal Air Force as a Fire Fighter, said: “It is terrifying going into a burning building to rescue someone, I think our fire crews are absolutely amazing and I can’t thank them enough for their service.  They are all heroes in my eyes.”

We are very grateful to Avon Fire& Rescue Service and hoping they will visit us again some time soon.