Activities at Henford House Care Home

It has been the time of year when our residents put their green fingers to work.
With some assistance from our amazing Gardener Katharine, residents have been busy in gardening club, putting together pots and hanging baskets to add colour and beauty to Henford House.
Several residents have spoken in the past about the joy and peace which they have found in gardening, and how difficult they have found it that they cannot physically get out to do the sort of gardening which they enjoyed. But, where there is a will there is a way! So the pots and hanging baskets can come in to our residents, and be at whatever height is needed to be accessible. And for those that want to be doing even more, there are plenty of raised beds to fill.
You can see that this brings true joy to many of our residents, and when you visit you will see the wonderful work they have done.

A group of our lovely residents were invited to be part of something truly special — the creation and burial of a Time Capsule at the magnificent Longleat Estate!
In the lead-up to the big day, our residents lovingly contributed personal notes, thumbprints, and even included a snippet about life at Henford House — including this week's delicious menu.
We set off on our adventure in our trusty minibus and car, full of excitement. Upon arrival, we were welcomed like royalty by the fabulous Longleat team with a surprise — a TV documentary crew was filming the whole thing.

We had the honour of meeting the mayor and several distinguished guests, and then came an exciting trip on the brand-new Longleat bus, driven by none other than Dave the Legend. Imagine our delight when we found out Dave was once the maintenance man right here at Henford House — what a reunion!
After a scenic ride and a smooth car escort, we arrived at the brand-new Hippo House where we were greeted by none other than Lord and Lady Bath themselves. The hippos were breath taking — currently just four, with hopes for a growing family through Longleat's brilliant conservation work.

We then gathered to witness the symbolic burying of the Time Capsule, filled with heartfelt messages and treasures from all attendees. 
To top it all off, we were treated to a delicious supper and a glass of bubbly to celebrate an unforgettable day.

This was a very special occasion for several of our residents who have long and personal connections with Longleat, and provided some wonderful new memories to share.

While the crowds danced in muddy fields, we brought the festival magic right here to our own beautiful gardens this weekend!

Residents and team members alike enjoyed a day full of music, memories, and sunshine — and it was truly something special. We kicked things off by sharing our all-time favourite tunes (some serious classics in the mix!), before taking to the great outdoors for our very own Henford Fest.

From tambourines to maracas, everyone had a go at making music — we even had a visiting drummer who brought the rhythm alive, and a miniature Worthy Farm Tractor rolled in to make it official!

Of course, no festival is complete without a bit of indulgence — afternoon tea, a cheeky glass of wine, and plenty of laughter made it a day to remember.

Music has such a magical way of bringing back memories and creating new ones — and this weekend, Henford House was absolutely buzzing with both.

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!