Activites at Henford House Care Home

Getting moving is important for staying strong and healthy, and doing it to music just makes it fun. 
Thanks to Jess for a wonderful session at the Senior Games this morning.

Then it was time to get the creative juices flowing with some pottery. All sorts of wonderful pieces are being created, and samples of glazes and finishes have been trialled. We can't wait to see the finished products!

And all of this before lunchtime on a Wednesday.

Later in the day, we had a marvellous musical performance from Mike and Muriel, a visit from Denzel the therapy dog, and our friendly pupils visiting from Warminster School.

It was a busy day, which several residents reflected on as being “Just Wonderful”.

This week marked 80 years since Victory in Europe Day, and here at Henford House, we honoured this momentous occasion with a day full of memories, music, and community spirit.

The morning was spent sharing powerful stories and reflections from 80 years ago—personal memories, family tales, and tributes to the resilience of a remarkable generation. It was a truly special time for connection and remembrance.

In the afternoon, we turned up the music with a wonderful performance from the lovely Sophie Eden. Flags were flying, voices were raised in song, and there was a real sense of joy and unity as everyone came together to celebrate.

And of course, it had to be followed by a scrumptious high tea!

Living in a community like ours means we get to share these meaningful moments and create new memories—side by side.

We’ve had a fantastic day filled with music, laughter, and a real sense of community spirit. Residents were treated to a lively performance by the brilliant Sloejam, who had everyone clapping and smiling – even Denzel the delightful therapy dog couldn’t resist tapping his paw to the beat.

Our Head Chef prepared a fabulous, traditionally English meal, and received particular praise for his incredible Roast Beef!

St George’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate English heritage. Did you know? Although St George is England’s patron saint, he wasn’t actually English – he was born in what is now modern-day Turkey!

Wishing everyone a joyful and proud St George’s Day – from our Henford House Care Home - Barchester Healthcare family to yours.

What a fantastic day we had celebrating Easter with our wonderful residents and the local community!
We were joined by lots of smiling faces for an exciting Easter Egg Hunt with a special visit from the Easter Bunny! The garden was full of laughter and little footsteps searching for chocolatey treasures.

Our Children's Colouring Contest was a huge hit—judged by four of our lovely residents, who had the tough task of picking just three amazing winners. Every entry was full of creativity and colour!

There was fun, smiles, dancing, and chocolate all around—a true celebration of joy, community, and the Easter spirit.

We were absolutely delighted to welcome a group of wonderful children from Horningsham Primary School, who paid a special Easter visit to our home.

Each resident was gifted a chocolate Easter egg, kindly delivered by the children with big smiles and warm hearts. As if that wasn’t lovely enough, they also brought along beautifully handmade Easter cards, filled with colourful drawings and thoughtful messages that truly touched us all.

The children took time to chat with our residents, talking about their hobbies and interests, which sparked lively conversations throughout the home. Topics ranged from horse riding to their school projects on the Titanic and World War II—subjects that our residents had plenty of memories and thoughts to share about too!

One very talented pupil even treated us to a delightful piano performance, which added a musical sparkle to the day. It was a moment of pure joy, and many of our residents couldn’t help but hum along.

Visits like these bring generations together in the most amazing way. Seeing our residents light up with smiles, laughter, and meaningful interaction reminded us all of the simple power of kindness and connection.

We had some very special visitors at the care home this week—beautiful owls from a local birds of prey sanctuary came to spend time with our residents, and what a magical experience it was!

Residents gathered in excitement as the handlers introduced each owl, sharing interesting facts about their species, habits, and personalities. From the majestic barn owl to the tiny, wide-eyed screech owl, everyone was captivated by their presence.

What made the visit even more special was the opportunity for residents to get up close, gently stroke the owls, and even hold one under the careful guidance of the handlers. It was a calm, sensory-rich experience that brought smiles, sparked conversation, and created moments of quiet wonder.

Animal visits like this are known to have a therapeutic effect, offering comfort, stimulation, and joy—especially for those living with dementia. The gentle nature of the owls and the peaceful atmosphere made it a truly memorable day for everyone involved.

A huge thank you to Bird of Prey company for creating such a memorable day. It was so lovely to see the residents’ faces light up!

As part of Nutrition and Hydration Week, our residents enjoyed a vibrant and refreshing Fruity Friday activity that brought colour, flavour, and fun to the day!

The focus was all about exploring exotic fruits—some familiar, some completely new to our residents. With a beautiful display of fruits such as dragon fruit, papaya, starfruit, passionfruit, and lychee, everyone was really curious and excited. Residents had the opportunity to touch, smell, and taste each fruit while learning about their origins and how they grow in different parts of the world. It sparked lots of great conversations and memories of past holidays and garden adventures.

Not only was the activity educational, but it was also a sensory experience that encouraged everyone to try something different. Some of our residents were pleasantly surprised by new flavours they hadn’t experienced before!

To round off the activity, our talented Head Chef prepared a delicious exotic fruit salad using a mix of the fruits we had explored earlier. The vibrant, refreshing dish was served to everyone and was thoroughly enjoyed—with many asking for seconds!

Events like Fruity Friday not only support healthy eating and hydration, but they also bring joy, stimulate the senses, and encourage social interaction. It was a brilliant way to celebrate the importance of nutrition while having fun together.

We’re already looking forward to adding more fruity favourites to our future menus!

Over the past few months, we’ve had the wonderful opportunity to welcome students from Warminster School to Henford House care home. What began as simple visits quickly grew into genuine friendships.

Residents and students spent their time playing board games, having sing-a-longs, sharing stories about the past and dreams for the future, and simply enjoying each other’s company. The laughter and meaningful conversations brought so much happiness to everyone involved. It was inspiring to see connections flourish across generations, proving that friendship knows no age. 

We’re incredibly grateful for these special moments and hoping to see Warminster Students visit again to brighten our days. Thank you to the amazing students, teachers and Warminster School for bringing such kindness and joy into our home!

Who says clubbing is just for the young? Our residents proved that age is just a number during a fantastic Clubbercise session hosted by Karen, one of our amazing staff members. With glow sticks in hand, Residents waved, danced, and exercised to classic tunes, filling the room with laughter, energy, and joy.

Regular exercise is vital for older adults, helping to boost mobility, improve balance, and enhance overall well-being. And let’s not forget the power of laughter—it lifts spirits, reduces stress, and brings everyone closer together.

It was a fantastic afternoon of fun, fitness, and fabulous moves, showing that you’re never too old to hit the dance floor. Here’s to staying active and making wonderful memories—one dance step at a time!