Activities at Broadway Halls Care Home

James Bickley, Running, Personal Training and Keep Fit for the Elderly, leads the movement to music exercise class for residents.

The room was full. Residents enjoyed attending the monthly class on the first Wednesday of every month. They had a great time, there was a lot of fun and laughter while keeping fit at the same time. 

A married couple, who have lived at Broadway halls since 2021, have never missed a class since they arrived. They said it’s a great way to improve and maintain our mobility, balance, and overall well-being.

Broadway halls celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in style with a live performance from Katie Collins School of Irish Dance.

A talented group of Irish dancers put on a show for the residents. It was an amazing experience for everyone that came to visit. The talented young ladies enter competitions across the UK. 

A resident said, "What a lovely afternoon it’s been. I used to do Irish dancing and, when I was young, I remember winning the village dancing competition in Ireland near Cork, before I moved to Dudley many years ago now."

The residents at Broadway Halls enjoy the fresh air, so when the weather is nice, they love to get outside and have a nice stroll around Proiry Park and the castle ruins. This activity is always in our weekly planner and anyone can join us. There is always so much to see from the wildlife to the wedding ceremonies at the Dudley Registry office which is in the park. Residents love to see the bride in their dress.

Engaging residents in walks around the park and trips to the castle ruins offers numerous physical, mental, and social benefits. Physical, in the form of regular walking, improves cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and flexibility, contributing to overall physical well-being.

Mental, in the form of spending time with nature, can lower stress hormone levels, leading to relaxation and improved mood. And social, in the form of group walks, encourages social interaction, fostering a sense of community and belonging amongst residents.

Exploring local historical sites like the ruins can stimulate conversations and shared learning, enriching social bonds and sharing memories.

The residents were offered a nice hot drink and a biscuit upon visiting Bramford Primary School, which they all enjoyed!

The students, aged 6 to 7 years, have been learning about fairytale stories and learnt all the words and actions to The Three Little Pigs and Jack and the Beanstalk, which was brilliant to see and hear.

The residents asked all the students' names, which was lovely. The students had their turn and asked their names and how old they were. The students then read a couple of pages of their own favourite books. Maureen said they were very good at reading for such a young age.

All the residents couldn’t believe how school life has changed so much from their school days and how fabulous it was now with all the equipment and facilities they have to offer.

The students and residents finished off doing arts and crafts and having a good old natter.

Thank you to the teachers for letting us visit and what well-behaved students you have at the school.

A silent disco is a fantastic way to engage residents, especially those with dementia or mobility challenges. It allows them to enjoy music at their preferred volume without overwhelming noise, and it can bring back memories, encourage movement, and boost moods.

Thank you to Sutton school for joining us for this special event, and thank you, Frankie, for DJ-ing and giving up his spare time to help. The pupils from Sutton School chose their favourite songs from the 2000s to the present date. The residents choose their favourite song or artists from the 1950s and 1960s.

The residents and pupils swapped channels to listen to each other’s favourite songs. It was nice to see everyone singing and dancing. 

A resident said, “It’s been an exciting experience and I wouldn’t have dreamed of doing this in my life, but I have had a great time singing and dancing and watching the students singing and dancing to their songs. Hope we can do this again, it was brilliant!”

We are pleased to announce that our talented hospitality team, led by Head Chef Olivia Riese have been named the winners of the annual Barchester Christmas Cake competition for the North West & Midlands Division.   

Each year hospitality teams from Barchester homes and hospitals up and down the country compete for the coveted Christmas Cake of the Year title.  The competition is run by the central hospitality team and the bar is set very high. Many of Barchester’s chefs are trained in patisserie and the Christmas cake designs are very elaborate and highly technical.  Competition is fierce and only the very best recipes and designs will prevail.

The hospitality team put their heads together and donned their aprons to come up with the most amazing Christmas cake decorated to perfection.  Their fabulous cake is a two-tiered design featuring iconic festive characters and decorated in traditional themed holly and colours.  Inside was a bouncy vanilla sponge, layered with strawberry jam and smooth vanilla butter cream – a firm favourite with the Residents.

Head Chef Olivia, has recently graduated from the Barchester Chef Academy, so this is a testament to the hard work and dedication she brings to her work.