Activities at Glebefields Care Home

The competitive spirit was in full swing yesterday as residents, staff, and visitors gathered to celebrate Shrove Tuesday with a high-energy pancake flipping competition.

The home’s communal dining room was transformed into a pop-up pancake station, where the talented kitchen team served up golden pancakes. However, the real excitement began when the "Great Glebefields Flip-Off" got underway.

Residents took turns testing their wrist action, with many showing the staff exactly how it’s done. The event quickly turned into a cross-generational challenge as visiting family members and staff joined in, attempting to break the record for the highest flip of the day. Residents, staff and friends enjoyed fun filled day with deliciousness which included pancake decorating with a variety of toppings.

A live pancake-making demonstration allowed everyone to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of freshly cooked pancakes, creating a warm and homely atmosphere.

Benazir, General Manager at Glebefields Care Home, commented "Pancake Day is always a firm favourite here, but this year the energy was incredible. It was wonderful to see our residents, their families, and our staff all laughing together and getting stuck into the competition. Whether the pancakes landed back in the pan or provided a bit of a laugh on the floor, the smiles on everyone's faces were the real highlight."
 

There is nothing quite like a change of scenery and a warm welcome! Our residents had a wonderful morning out at the monthly Drayton Village Hall Community Coffee Morning.

It was a delight to step out into the heart of the village and soak up such a friendly, welcoming environment. Our residents loved the chance to engage with friends old and new from beyond the home, sharing stories over plenty of tea and delicious biscuits.

Building these local links is so important to us, and the lively chatter and smiles certainly showed how much everyone enjoyed being part of the village buzz!

A huge thank you to the organisers at Drayton Village Hall for having us we already can’t wait for next month! 
 

The magic of the theatre arrived at our Home as the home hosted a vibrant and high-energy production of the classic fairy tale, Cinderella, performed by the popular Tickled Pink Productions.

The communal dining room was transformed into a ballroom as residents, staff, and guests enjoyed the colourful costumes and upbeat musical numbers. Far from just being spectators, the residents became part of the show, singing along to familiar tunes and playing along with musical instruments provided during the performance.

Benazir, General Manager at Glebefields Care Home, said "It was a truly wonderful morning. The energy that Tickled Pink brings is infectious, and seeing our residents so engaged. We are already looking forward to welcoming the troupe back later this year for more performances."

The residents had the pleasure of partaking in a festive Christmas dinner, which was marked by an atmosphere of joy and camaraderie. This special occasion provided a valuable opportunity for all to come together, enjoy a sumptuous meal, and foster a sense of community. The event was a memorable celebration, characterised by warmth, delight, and the true spirit of the holiday season.

In a particularly heartfelt gesture, Tony Bailey was kindly invited to join the Christmas dinner by staff, as this was Tony’s first Christmas without his wife, who had previously resided at Glebefields and sadly passed away. This invitation was extended to ensure Tony felt supported and included during this meaningful time, reflecting the compassionate care and community spirit upheld by the staff and residents alike.

At Glebefields we love opening our home up and hosting events that friends and family can join us for. Shared experiences are the best experiences and we ensure that our residents remain connected with their loved ones whilst they live with us and when they are no longer with us we reach out to the families we have created bonds with, inviting them to celebrations in the home. 

Residents and staff came together to celebrate New Year's Eve with an evening full of joyous festivities.

The event featured lively singing that brought everyone into the spirit of the occasion, fostering a strong sense of community and shared celebration. 

Residents also enjoyed a delightful selection of snacks, including cheese, wine, sausage rolls, and samosas, adding to the festive atmosphere. 

As the night drew to a close, attendees gathered in the garden to enjoy sparklers, which added a magical and memorable touch to the conclusion of the evening. This wonderful celebration provided an opportunity for all to reflect on the past year and welcome the new one with hope and positivity.

We want to take a moment to shine a spotlight on the incredible Jo, who brings so much more than scissors and rollers to our home. 

For many of our residents, a visit to Jo in her hair salon within the home is a vital part of their wellbeing. This is especially true for our bed-bound residents. When Jo brings the salon experience to their bedside, it’s a moment of pure, dedicated care. It’s about the soothing sensation of a head massage, the familiar scent of styling products, and the gentle, non-clinical touch that is so important for comfort.

Jo has been part of the team with Barchester, 4 years based in Glebefields and 6 years at one of our sister homes in Banbury. Jo stated “Hair care is essential and makes our residents look and feel like "themselves" gives a huge boost to their self-esteem. We know that there is a therapeutic, almost meditative quality to having your hair done. It reduces anxiety, encourages relaxation, and truly calms the soul, whether it’s in the salon or bedside”.

Jo provides a wonderful space for a natter and a laugh, providing that vital social connection that brightens the whole day.

General Manager Benazir said “Thank you, Jo, for your patience, your talent, and the gentle way you care for every single person in our home. You don't just style hair; you lift the spirits of our residents

The mouth-watering aroma of melting cheese and Italian herbs filled the air as residents and staff joined forces to celebrate National Pizza Day.

In a true team effort, the home’s talented Chef and the Life Enrichment activities team hosted an interactive "Pizza Party," inviting residents to become chefs for the afternoon. From kneading the dough to spreading rich tomato sauce, the dining room was a hive of activity and laughter.

Residents were treated to a colourful array of fresh toppings, ranging from classic chicken and peppers to the more controversial pineapple, sparking a lively "Hawaiian" debate among the amateur pizzaiolos! Once the bespoke creations were prepped, the Chef took over the baking duties, returning them bubbling and golden.  The afternoon concluded with a communal tasting session that received a unanimous "big thumbs up" from everyone involved.

Benazir, General Manager shared "National Pizza Day was the perfect excuse to get everyone together for some sensory fun. It wasn't just about the tasty bites; it was about the social chatter and the joy of creating something from scratch. Our Chef did a brilliant job, and seeing the residents so engaged and happy is exactly what life at Glebefields is all about."

There has been plenty green fingers and muddy hands in the home. Our wonderful residents have been busy planting a variety of bulbs to brighten up our outdoor spaces.

It was lovely to enjoy time together while planning the garden to be full of colour. We can't wait to see our tulips and daffodils bloom in the coming months 

This morning, residents enjoyed a delightful arts and crafts session where they created personalized 2026 calendars.

The activity was a perfect blend of creativity and practicality, allowing everyone to showcase their artistic skills while designing something useful for the year ahead. The session fostered a warm and friendly atmosphere, encouraging social interaction and collaboration among participants.

To make the experience even more enjoyable, refreshments were served, giving everyone a chance to relax and chat while sipping on their favourite drinks and enjoying some light snacks. Overall, it was a wonderful way to kick off the new year with creativity and a touch of fun.

Residents, staff, and the local Banbury community came together for a heart-warming series of Valentine’s Day celebrations, featuring live musical performance, interactive entertainment, and some very special four-legged visitors.

Valentines began early with a charming visit from the Lollipop Ponies, who arrived dressed in their finest Valentine’s outfits. To ensure everyone could share in the joy, the ponies visited residents in the nursing community directly in their individual rooms, providing comfort and a delightful surprise for those unable to join the main communal areas.

The highlight of the week was a Sparkling Valentine’s Afternoon Tea, where the home was transformed with a feel of romance with arrangement of roses and heart-themed decorations. The home hosted guests from across the local community joining in with the afternoon’s entertainment with the home’s residents. A gourmet spread of elegant selection of sandwiches, biscuits, and heart-shaped cakes was prepared by the home’s talented chef.

Refreshments including tea, coffee, and chilled pink prosecco, with lots of toasts to Love. The residents and guest were then treated to a lively performance by the Move On Band, encouraging residents and guests to sing along and socialise. The event received glowing praise, with the dining room comments book filling up with compliments for the culinary team and the joyful atmosphere.

General Manager Benazir Shakkir said "We believe in the power of connection, seeing our residents socialising with friends and neighbours while enjoying the music with the added bonus of our friendly ponies visit which was truly special"
 

Pamper Sessions - Nail Care and Chat 

Zoe the homes new Activities Coordinator has been getting to know the residents, their likes and wants as she spends quality time getting to know each and every one of them.

This week she has been providing pamper sessions with nail care, which is much more than a just a quick trim! A fresh manicure or tidy up of the mails can provide a lift in mood and confidence. It's also a significant benefits of just looking good. It maintains infection control and prevents the residents from accidentally injuring or tearing fragile skin which is so common for those at risk of thinning skin.

We are also aware that in a nursing home physical touch can be much about clinical care, where the pamper session provides therapeutic touch, sensory stimulation with hand creams and brings social interaction and reminiscence and quality conversation

We are thrilled to announce that Siju James was nominated as our December Employee of the Month.
Benazir, our General Manager, expressed “Siju was nominated for going above and beyond and dedication to the home over the Christmas period to maximise the festive time in the home, with a “I can do” attitude. And who works tirelessly through commitment to maintaining the highest standards in delivering great support to all our residents”

Siju has a very positive attitude with his compassionate nature this has made a significant impact on the daily lives and social interactions of our residents. 

Congratulations and thank you, Siju, for your outstanding contribution from all the residents and staff here at Glebefields Care Home.

Our residents had the pleasure of enjoying a delightful lunch outing at Bloxham Nursery & Tearoom.

This visit provided them with an opportunity to experience the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the establishment while savouring a carefully prepared meal. Such excursions not only offer a change of scenery but also contribute positively to the residents' social engagement and overall well-being.

Resident Ambassador Fiona stated "What a wonderful afternoon lunch out we all had, being able to get into the minibus no matter the mobility, browse around the nursery at beautiful Christmas trinkets along with a delightful lunch, we all has such a great time".

Yesterday, We opened its doors to the local community for a vibrant and inspiring Health and Wellbeing event, aimed at providing professional support and fitness guidance for 2026.

The day-long event featured a diverse program designed to address both physical and mental health. The morning kicked off with high energy as local fitness expert Jane from JaneyHFit led a "Fitness for All Abilities" session. The class saw residents and community members of all ages participating in gentle movements designed to boost mobility and mood.

In the afternoon, the focus shifted to nutrition and specialised support. Jane returned to deliver an insightful talk on healthy eating, providing practical tips for maintaining a balanced lifestyle. This was followed by a series of vital discussions led by Jo and Kelly, specialist counsellors from Fresh Minds Therapy. The duo provided a safe and supportive space for attendees to discuss complex topics including women’s health, perimenopause, neurodivergence, and navigating life transitions and grief.

Benazir, General Manager at Glebefields Care Home, said "It was a delight to see so many familiar and new faces from the Banbury community joining us. At Glebefields, we believe in supporting not just our residents, but our neighbors too. Having experts like Jane, Jo, and Kelly share their knowledge for free is exactly what community wellness is all about."