Activities at Cherry Trees Care Home

Nutrition and Hydration Week brought a burst of colour and joy to Cherry Trees as we set off on our “Eat the Rainbow” journey. Each day introduced a new theme, new flavours, and plenty of shared smiles as our trolley travelled room to room. We began with blue, a tricky colour, but one we embraced with blueberry shakes and blue-tinted treats that sparked lots of conversation. Godfrey, our clef doll for Good Nutrition and a Positive Dining Experience, joined us from the very start, helping encourage residents to try something a little different.

Green Day arrived just in time for St Patrick’s Day, complete with lively Irish music, fresh green snacks, and even a cheeky shot of Guinness for those who fancied it. The atmosphere was full of laughter and toe-tapping as we spread a little Irish cheer throughout the home.

Next came a bright burst of yellow, with banana smoothies, pineapple, and lemon water bringing sunshine to everyone’s afternoon. There were plenty of giggles too, especially when the bananas became “phones” for a bit of playful fun. Our orange trolley followed, packed with melon, oranges, mango, peaches, carrot sticks, and refreshing juices. Staff joined in as well, turning the day into a whole home celebration filled with colour and connection.

We finished the week with a vibrant red theme, offering cherry-topped cakes, fruity jelly, and cranberry punch. To make the day even more memorable, we celebrated Red Nose Day with fun photos and lots of laughter. As always, Godfrey was right there with us, helping deliver treats and joy in equal measure.

Nutrition and Hydration Week was a wonderful celebration of flavour, hydration, and togetherness, a colourful reminder of how small moments can brighten the whole home.     

Valentine’s Dating Advice Straight from the Experts! 

Love was definitely in the air this Valentine’s Day as our wonderful residents shared their best Valentine’s dating advice on the white board! From sweet sentiments to cheeky one-liners, their wisdom reminded us all about what truly matters when it comes to love.

With decades of experience in love, marriage, friendship and life, our residents proved that romance isn’t about grand gestures – it’s about the little things: patience, respect, shared laughter, and always making time for one another. 

Thank you to our amazing residents for reminding us that true love only grows stronger with time. We also made a special Valentine's afternoon tea for a few of our loving couples. It really was a day filled with love and laughter.    

A sprinkle of Christmas magic came to Cherry Trees recently. It was all thanks to Karen, our amazing host, and her lovely friend Phillipa with Karen’s adorable miniature ponies, Ellie and Damson! Dressed in their festive Christmas hats, these little sweethearts brought so much joy and laughter to our residents.
It was so heart-warming to see our residents' faces light up – pure, simple happiness! 

The staff loved the visit just as much. These types of activities spark beautiful memories and bring back cherished feelings for our residents. Animals have an incredible way of connecting with us, offering comfort and a sense of connection to past experiences.

A huge thank you to Karen, Phillipa Ellie, and Damson for making our day so special!   

At Cherry Trees, our residents have a wonderful passion for crafting. It is an activity that brings joy, sparks imagination, and creates a real sense of community. Recently, they have enjoyed making seasonal pumpkin crafts to celebrate autumn, followed by thoughtful Remembrance crafts to honour and reflect on those who served. Crafting is more than just a pastime. 

It helps keep minds active, encourages conversation, and provides opportunities for residents to share stories and memories. The process of creating something with their own hands also supports their coordination, while the finished pieces bring a sense of pride and achievement. Most importantly, these creative sessions allow residents to express themselves and connect with one another. Whether it is a colourful pumpkin or a heartfelt poppy, each craft reflects the individuality and creativity of our Cherry Trees community. 

A heart-warming day! Our residents Pat, Edith, Joan and Marj joined Years 5 & 6 at Our Lady's Catholic Primary School for a Fairtrade Tea Party.     

The children gave us a wonderful presentation explaining the importance of living simply and buying fair-trade products.    

Such a wonderful connection between generations! They learnt while enjoying a delicious tea and cakes.

Our lovely lady residents enjoyed a truly special afternoon in the café as they got creative and crafted their own beautiful flower arrangements for Mother’s Day. 

The room was filled with laughter, chatter and a wonderful buzz of creativity as everyone selected their favourite flowers and designed arrangements that were as unique as they are. Watching each display come together was a joy—every bouquet bursting with colour, personality and pride.

We were delighted to welcome some relatives who joined in the fun too, making the day even more meaningful. Seeing families gathered around the tables, sharing stories, smiles and precious time together, brought an extra layer of warmth to the celebration. 

A huge well done to everyone for their stunning creations. By the end of the afternoon, the café was glowing with vibrant blooms, happy faces and the unmistakable feeling of a day well spent.     

We had a flipping good Pancake Day! Our residents enjoyed a truly delicious treat as we took a trolley stacked with fresh pancakes from room to room, spreading smiles (and sweet smells!) along the way.

Toppings included juicy raspberries, mango sauce, raspberry sauce, melted chocolate, and the all-time classic lemon & sugar, something for everyone to enjoy!

The fun didn’t stop there… we even brought a pan around with a pancake ready for tossing, giving everyone the chance to show off their flipping skills! Some brilliant attempts and lots of laughter all around.

A wonderful day filled with sweet treats, fun moments, and happy memories.  

Thursday 18th December Mrs. Claus paid a special visit to our residents, creating a such a wonderful heart-warming festive atmosphere. She also made room visits for some of our residents who were unable to get out of bed, bringing them the magic of holiday cheer and plenty of  smiles all round.

Everyone gathered in our cozy little grotto, lit up with fairy lights, reminiscing about Christmases past while sipping on mulled wine and enjoying delicious home-made mince pies. 

It was a magical afternoon filled with lots of laughter, stories, and holiday cheer, making it a truly memorable day for all.   

Residents had such a heart-warming day recently when Jackie and Pat walked next door to Oversley Hill Farm and Forest for some autumnal pumpkin picking! They enjoyed a beautiful walk, soaking in all the nature around us and enjoying the beautiful colours of the leaves falling from the trees. 

The pumpkin picking was such great fun, and we topped it off with a yummy, cosy cup of tea whilst chatting with the farm owner and her two wonderful daughters, who were full of interesting facts about their farm and asked us if we might enjoy a visit in the warmer weather, which we would be very happy to do. It's amazing how much joy a simple activity can bring.      

Cherry Trees Local artists Joan and Marjorie have been recognised for their outstanding talent at the recent Forest Of Arden Agricultural Society competition, held at Ragley Hall. The event, a highlight for the local community, saw Marjorie awarded second place and Joan securing third place for their captivating paintings.

The day was filled with memorable moments. The artists enjoyed exploring the vibrant atmosphere of the show, meeting Joan's son and daughter-in-law for a delightful coffee and chat. Amidst the backdrop of impressive tractors and skilled woodwork displays, the highlight was undoubtedly the viewing of the art tent after the judges' deliberation. The joy and excitement were palpable as Joan and Marjorie posed for photos with their acclaimed paintings.

"It was a truly magical day," shared Marjorie. "Seeing Joan and Marjorie's faces light up upon receiving their prizes was incredibly heart-warming. Their passion and dedication to their art shone brightly, and their success is well-deserved," said Carly. The paintings stood out, capturing the essence of their talents. This achievement not only celebrates the individual talents of Joan and Marjorie but also highlights the thriving artistic community within the Forest of Arden. The Forest of Arden Agricultural Society competition continues to be a platform for local artists to showcase their work and connect with fellow enthusiasts.

Marjorie definitely has the bug for painting and, as it's national arts and crafts day coming up this Wednesday, we thought it would be a great opportunity to get the other residents involved in some crafting.

Some days remind us exactly why we do what we do, and this was one of those rare and beautiful moments. I had the privilege of accompanying Gwen to Greig Hall to watch her husband, Melvyn, perform with the Stratford Symphony Orchestra.

As the music began and Melvyn lifted his violin, Gwen’s face lit up with a joy that words can barely capture. It wasn’t just pride, it was love, memory, and connection all woven together in a single expression. Watching her take every note, completely absorbed in the moment, was truly priceless.    

At Cherry Trees, we always strive to make wishes come true for our residents, no matter how big or small. It was a perfect reminder of why that matters. This wasn’t simply a concert; it was a chance for Gwen and Melvyn to reconnect, to celebrate a shared passion, and to create new memories together.

I felt incredibly grateful to be invited into something so personal and meaningful. Moments like these are the heart of what we do, they stay with us, inspire us, and remind us that even the simplest wishes can hold extraordinary magic.

CLEF at Barchester stands for Care and Life Enrichment Framework. It is at the heart of everything we do here at Cherry Trees. It's our commitment to providing the best possible care and enriching the lives of our residents. It means we're always looking for ways to enhance our services, ensuring they are tailored, compassionate, and effective. We have decided to use these beautiful homemade dolls to talk about CLEF and help spread the word, so please welcome our newest members to our team!! 

Each doll has their own name, and here are a few of them. Sydney, embodies our dedication to quality assurance and continuous improvement. He reminds us to consistently evaluate our practices, seek feedback, and implement changes that make a real difference in our residents' well-being. We're committed to creating a warm, supportive, and stimulating environment where everyone thrives! Big shout out to Sydney from our Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement team for overseeing the café this morning! 
Sydney made sure our chocolate cake was extra tasty and that the allergen board was clearly on display. 

Sydney worked closely with our amazing Head Chef Ayshat to make the café welcoming for everyone. Stop by and enjoy the deliciousness and inviting atmosphere! Morag and Angus, our clef dolls for Supporting and Involving Residents, Family and Friends  spent some time with Gill and her husband Ted, sharing smiles and reminding us what truly matters here at Cherry Trees, connection, involvement, and meaningful moments together.

Morag and Angus represent our commitment to making sure residents and their loved ones are always part of daily life, decisions, and special moments within our home. Because care is not just about looking after someone… it’s about including the people who matter most to them.

Thank you, Gill and Ted, for helping Morag and Angus on their journey!   

We had a truly fantastic day at our Cherry Trees Christmas Market on Friday 19th December! We would like to say a huge thank you to all the talented small businesses who showcased their handmade goodies. Our residents, their relatives, and our amazing staff had a wonderful time browsing and buying unique gifts. It was heart-warming to see so much festive cheer and community spirit!

We cannot wait for the summer to do it all over again! Keep an eye out for more Cherry Trees Markets coming in the near future.    

Cherry Trees is bursting with pride as Donna Johnston has been named the divisional winner for Learner of the Year at the prestigious Barchester Care Awards! Donna’s journey with Barchester began in September 2023 when she embarked on her Advanced Care Practitioner course, and her dedication has been evident ever since. The entire team at Cherry Trees is eagerly anticipating the awards ceremony on October 22nd, where they'll be cheering Donna on.

For the past 14 years, Donna has been an invaluable asset to Cherry Trees care home in Alcester.  She began her career as a Healthcare Assistant and, through her unwavering commitment and NVQ achievements, steadily progressed to become a Senior Carer, then a Team Leader, and now an Advanced Care Practitioner.

Donna expressed her gratitude, saying, "I am incredibly thankful for the training opportunities provided by Barchester and the constant support from Debbie Osborne. Winning this award is a true honour, and I am excited for what the future holds."

General Manager Debbie Osborne added, "Donna's commitment to Cherry Trees and, most importantly, to her residents is truly unmatched. We are incredibly excited to support her as she continues her journey toward becoming a Registered Nurse. Her passion and dedication make her an invaluable member of our team."  

Residents had a fantastic day at Cherry Trees. In honour of London Fashion Week, our residents dressed up and strutted their stuff on the homemade catwalk. From pom poms to crazy hats, we had it all. Residents really enjoyed getting involved in the fun. Joan said, ‘I was expecting the staff to do a show for us. I laughed so much doing that, and we really are thankful for all the activities the girls do’. 

There was so much fun, laughter, Prosecco, and great music. A huge thank you to everyone who participated and made it such a memorable event!