Activities at Laurel Bank Care Home

We welcomed in the Year of the Tiger with a day of celebrations and activities.   The Chinese New Year is China’s most important festival that celebrated the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar calendar.

We all enjoyed some music from Greater China, watched last year’s celebrations and had a discussion about the animals associated with the Chinese zodiac. It was a fun day.

We had a lovely time joining Chef Alex Connell from Vegetarian for Life for a Valentine’s-inspired virtual cookery demonstration.  Chef Alex created some delicious Valentine’s Day-inspired vegetarian desserts, which our residents had the opportunity to try too.

First, our residents sampled a wonderful sticky toffee pudding, which was absolutely heavenly. Then they tried hazelnut truffles which were a huge hit and finally they were treated to a chocolate orange cake which everyone adored.

Chef prepared a delicious Burns supper in celebration of the life and poetry of the poet Robert Burns, the author of many a Scots poem.  Residents gathered for Scottish themed activities throughout the day and enjoyed a wee dram of whiskey too!

On Squirrel Appreciation Day, we thoroughly enjoyed winter walks around the grounds at Laurel Bank whilst on the hunt for some squirrels we managed to get a photo of this beauty.  We are very lucky to be surrounded by nature and yet so close to town!

Laurel Bank care home in Lancaster is launching three grants totalling £30,000 in the name of a former Barchester resident, Jeanette Gill, who generously donated part of her legacy to Barchester’s Charitable Foundation.  The Foundation is calling for deserving local charities and community groups to apply for these special awards.

Named in her memory, the Jeanette Gill Special Awards are open to groups and individuals in need in our local community, and will be awarded to projects that enrich lives and encourage an active lifestyle through arts, music, sports and culture for older people or adults with a disability, or those that may have challenges with mental health.

There are three awards available:

•             £15,000 GOLD AWARD (open to groups)

•             £10,000 SILVER AWARD (open to groups)

•             £5,000 BRONZE AWARD (open to individuals)

The Foundation is particularly interested in innovative initiatives that tackle isolation and loneliness, and which bring sustained outcomes and positive changes for the people benefitting. To find out more about how to apply for a Jeanette Gill Award please visit www.bhcfoundation.org.uk. The closing date for applications for this round is 28 February 2022.

Laurel Bank Care Home has become a donation and collection point for food and products for The Trussell Trust Food Bank, Morecambe. 

Laurel Bank care home is taking a “Whole Home Approach” to the cause inviting residents, their families – during home visits, employees and the residents of the local community at large to please kindly donate to the very worthy cause.

Lyndsay Scott, General Manager at Laurel Bank Care Home, said: “I am very glad to be taking part in this much needed community driven charity.  We support many charities throughout the year & this is one of those that we cannot ignore.  Everyone has been very kind with their generous donations so far. It is because our local community is so important to us that we would like to be able to provide the donations of food to The Trussell Trust throughout the coming year.  We will continue to do our bit to boost donations & raise further awareness by offering our location as a collection point.   A donation box can be found at the front entrance to the home at our home address, Laurel Bank Care Home, Westbourne Road, Lancaster LA1 5EF”