Activities at Henford House Care Home

We’ve been making the most of the recent spell of beautiful weather by spending plenty of time out in our garden, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine together.

Residents have been keeping their minds active with a series of fun and engaging quizzes, sparking lots of laughter, friendly competition and great conversation. It’s been wonderful to see everyone getting involved and sharing their knowledge. Marta has also been busy, with residents coming together to make a delicious homemade apple crumble. From peeling and preparing the apples to adding the finishing touches, it was a lovely group activity—and even better when it came time to enjoy it!

We’ve also been continuing our much-loved doll house project with Marta in the garden. This creative activity has been a real highlight, with residents taking great pride in adding new details and bringing the house to life piece by piece.

Spending time outdoors, staying active and sharing these moments together has made the most of the lovely weather. We’re looking forward to many more sunny days in the garden.        

This week we welcomed the first signs of spring with a delightful Sip & Paint afternoon. Residents enjoyed a glass of prosecco or refreshing non-alcoholic mocktails while painting beautiful watercolour daffodils. 

A wonderful way to celebrate the arrival of March with creativity, colour and good company.     

This month we hosted a very informative and interesting fall prevention workshop with occupational therapist Rob from OTTER Therapy.

Rob sat with our residents, staff and guests from the community to explain what makes us prone to falls, such as dehydration and ill-fitting shoes.

Rob then showed us some seated and standing exercises to help build up strength in order to prevent falls. He also showed everyone a safe and easy way to sit and stand.

Rob’s talk was extremely informative and provided us with valuable knowledge about fall prevention strategies.

Rob got everyone involved and made the workshop interactive, which benefited everyone!

Thank you to Rob for this workshop, to the staff who attended, our lovely residents and to those in the community who came to view it. I’m sure we will all treasure this knowledge in this new year.  

We had some music from Belle Street Entertainment on New Year’s Eve, which was brilliant. Our residents always enjoy listening to the performers come in, and it brings some fond memories back for them from their dancing days.
 
We then had a New Year’s Day Tea Party. With tea, festive sweets, and some singing of Auld Lang Syne - we had a delightful afternoon! We also enjoyed some festive drinks - a little glass of Baileys to cheers to the new year.
 
We’ve spent a lot of this week discussing our happiest memories from 2025, and what we want to achieve for 2026. As well as many fun board games, quizzes, and looking at New Year’s traditions from across the world. Fun fact: it’s tradition to literally leap into the New Year off chairs and furniture in Denmark.

We have had a phenomenal year here at Henford and wish for this to continue - thank to you anyone who has supported us, visited us, or volunteered with us! 

What a fabulous September day we've had here at Henford House! On this Autumn Equinox, while the seasons began to shift, our wonderful residents made the most of the glorious sunshine with a cheerful games afternoon on the patio.

From laughter-filled rounds of Jenga to some competitive Connect4, the air was full of joy, smiles, and plenty of vitamin D!
It might be the first day of autumn, but today felt like a warm hug from summer.

Thank you to our lovely team for making it such a special afternoon. 
 

We were delighted to welcome residents, families and members of our local community to a joyful Easter celebration here at Henford House. The day was filled with laughter, togetherness and plenty of seasonal fun for all ages. Our Easter egg hunt was a fantastic success, bringing smiles to children as they searched high and low for hidden treats. It was wonderful to see the home full of excitement and energy as everyone joined in the fun.

Alongside the hunt, we hosted a raffle and cake sale, both of which were very well-supported. A huge thank you to everyone who donated prizes, baked delicious treats, and took part—your generosity helped make the day even more special. The Warminster Air Cadets also helped to set up the event as well as host their own stall with very fun games!

In the afternoon, we were treated to a truly memorable musical performance by Sophie Eden. With her piano and accordion, Sophie created a lively and uplifting atmosphere that had everyone singing along and even dancing. It was a joy to see residents joining in and enjoying the music together. Overall, it was a fantastic day that brought our community closer together. We are so grateful to everyone who attended and helped make our Easter celebrations such a success.    

What better way to celebrate valentine’s day than with an afternoon tea and live piano and accordion music by Sophie Eden!

Henford recently celebrated the most romantic day of the year surrounded by roses, all things pink and red, and singing away with the wonderful Sophie. It was a lovely afternoon full of laughter and joy, celebrating love, family and friendship! We enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea put on by our kitchen, hospitality and activity teams. We were joined by residents and their families and friends to celebrate the wonderful occasion.      

After a fabulous year welcoming our youngest visitors for the monthly Toddlers Group, we're delighted to share that the first session for 2026 is next Monday, 12th January.

Today was about connection, creativity, and gentle presence. Together with our residents, we created meaningful quote board and dream-inspired collages — choosing words that feel like home, safety, hope, and belonging. 

There was no rush. Just hands cutting, eyes choosing, hearts remembering.

Each quote became a small mirror of a life lived, a story held, a feeling shared. Activities like this are more than crafts, they are moments of listening, self-expression, and emotional wellbeing. They remind us that creativity has no age, and that every person deserves to feel seen, valued, and included.

Thank you to our wonderful residents for their openness, smiles, and wisdom.

At Henford House, we often say that every gathering has the potential to create something meaningful—but this time, something truly magical happened. What began as a gentle afternoon activity dedicated to childhood memories and conversation around the table became a powerful, soul-stirring experience that none of us will soon forget.

Residents were so delighted and proud of the magical Mamacha. Guided by the compassionate and creative Marta Pereira, author of Mamachas Magical Dolls – An Ancestral Art of Healing, our residents were invited into a world where crafting meets connection, and where every thread has a story to tell. Together, we created a Mamacha—a traditional healing doll rooted in ancestral wisdom, where every knot, every fabric choice, and every detail is infused with memory, intention, and love. But this was more than a craft session—it was a ritual of remembrance. A circle of healing. As the residents shared stories of their childhoods, their loved ones, and the lives they'd led, something profound began to unfold. Laughter mixed with quiet reflection. Hands moved with care. Hearts opened.

The result? A new guardian spirit was born—Beatrice —a name chosen with joy and consensus, symbolising unity, care, and creativity. Beatrice is not just a handmade doll; she is a vessel of everything beautiful we witnessed that day: protection, love, happiness, health, closeness, and joy. She now lives at Henford House, not just as a keepsake, but as a tangible reminder of the strength, wisdom, and deep humanity within our community.

This extraordinary experience reminded us that the ancient arts have a timeless gift: the power to bring people together, to heal old wounds, and to spark new connections. Through Beatrice, we hold a piece of each other—and proof that even the simplest stitches can carry the weight of a lifetime. At Henford House, magic truly lives in the moments we share.

Henford House was delighted to welcome the Air Cadets for their first visit, creating a wonderful opportunity for meaningful intergenerational connection. Visits like these bring great benefits to our residents by encouraging conversation, sharing of stories and building friendships between generations.

During the visit, the Air Cadets spent time chatting with residents, creating a warm and lively atmosphere filled with smiles and laughter. Residents thoroughly enjoyed the chance to get to know the cadets and share their experiences.

Feedback from residents at the end of the visit was overwhelmingly positive, with many saying they had a fantastic time and truly enjoyed the conversations. We are very grateful to the Air Cadets for spending time with us and look forward to continuing this special partnership in the future.“

Skittles is back bigger, stronger and more popular than ever. Everyone’s favourite Friday fun day has returned with the help of our volunteer, Jonathon.

It is always wonderful to see so many smiling faces ready to play and amazing to see the residents so eager to get rolling again – and they didn’t disappoint! Skittles is not only great fun, but it also plays an important role in supporting hand-eye coordination, balance and gentle movement. Residents enjoyed aiming for the pins, cheering each other on and sharing plenty of laughter along the way.

The friendly competition and social interaction makes the sessions just as beneficial to mental wellbeing as it is for physical wellbeing. It’s fantastic to see how activities such as skittles club help the residents stay active, engaged and connected. We are looking forward to many more weeks of strikes, smiles and steady improvement.        

Today unfolded in many small but meaningful ways. Some residents chose quiet, personal moments — revisiting memories, sharing stories, or exploring creative interests at their own pace. 

Others expressed themselves through pottery, allowing touch, texture, and colour to guide the experience.

As the day moved on, in the afternoon. The lounge came alive with music, followed by a beautiful intergenerational exchange as students from Warminster School joined residents for conversation and board games. Laughter, curiosity, and genuine connection filled the room.

A gentle reminder that wellbeing is not one-size-fits-all 'it lives in choice, presence, creativity, and shared moments'.

We started the week off with making our very own Christmas tree decoration. We cut the shapes out, painted them and jazzled them up ready to go on our tree for display! We decorated our frames and walking aids, inspired by fellow residents whose family had put lights and tinsel round their frame! Santa Claus handed out presents on Christmas Eve, personally wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas.

Then on the big day… we enjoyed a delicious roast turkey made by our chef. Plenty of laughter and smiles filled the room. We indulged in some bubbles as we watched the King's Speech in the afternoon. And plenty of Christmas carols and music were sung throughout the day.

We then relaxed over the weekend, unwinding from a very fun-filled, festive month. We played many board games, including scrabble, and enjoyed some films!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, and we wish everyone a Happy New Year.

At Henford House, we believe that every day holds the potential for something extraordinary—and today was no exception. Residents were treated to a thrilling visit from Kris of Tropical Discovery Workshops, who brought an awe-inspiring collection of exotic creatures right into our home. From the gentle plod of Taco the tortoise to the unexpected charm of a giant millipede and even a graceful tarantula, the experience sparked wonder, curiosity, and joy in equal measure. It was a heartwarming reminder that it’s never too late to discover something new.

The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as residents gathered in anticipation, some a little nervous, others simply intrigued. But as Kris introduced each animal with fascinating facts and gentle encouragement, the room quickly filled with smiles, laughter, and even a few surprised gasps. One resident exclaimed, “I never imagined I’d be holding a snake at my age!”—a sentiment that was echoed by many throughout the day.

There was something truly special about the way Kris engaged with everyone, taking time to ensure each resident felt comfortable and involved. He shared stories about the animals' natural habitats, diets, and unique personalities, transforming the session into an immersive, educational experience. The hands-on element made it all the more memorable. Some residents were even brave enough to let the tarantula gently crawl across their hands, while others found joy simply watching from their seats, eyes wide with fascination.

These moments of connection—between people, animals, and nature—are what make life at Henford House so vibrant. Events like these aren’t just entertainment; they’re opportunities for growth, laughter, and shared memories. They spark conversations long after the day is done and help strengthen the sense of community that defines our home. A huge thank you to Kris and his amazing animal ambassadors for reminding us that a sense of wonder doesn’t fade with age—it only grows stronger when nurtured. Here's to many more wild and wonderful adventures to come at Henford House!