Activities at Laurel Bank Care Home

Laurel Bank are delighted to be supporting the Salvation Army and Barchester’s charitable foundation with their newly installed textile bank and would like to welcome the local community to contribute too, whether its clothing, bedding, curtains, shoes etc.   If you are starting the new year with a little clear out, please feel free to donate and help us raise funds for these two worthy causes, simply drop off at our clothes bank.  For more information, please contact Jamie – Activities Coordinator on 01524 388 980.

Residents are overjoyed at Laurel Bank care home in Lancaster, as Barchester Healthcare has implemented a visiting suite for residents to continue to spend time with their loved ones for the autumn and winter seasons in addition to the outdoor visiting that has been on offer for those able for many months.

Balancing resident wellbeing and safety is at the forefront of Barchester Healthcare’s thinking and they understand how important it is for residents and their family and friends to be able to spend time together in the safest way possible.

There has been much careful planning and preparation for this moment by Barchester Healthcare, who run Laurel Bank care home. It was welcome news for their residents and family and friends as we enter the colder season meaning catch-ups can continue to take place, instead of, or in addition to, outdoor visiting already offered for those able.

Laurel Bank Care Home in Lancaster have teamed up with several local schools to bring some Christmas cheer to the residents after a difficult year. Christ Church Primary School, Willow Lane Primary School, the Steiner School, Lancaster Girls Grammar School and Appletree Nursery are all getting involved in making this Christmas extra special for the residents at Laurel Bank.

A Year 6 class at Christ Church have been joining the residents via Zoom every Friday to host an array of activities including Christmas Bingo, a Christmas quiz, making Christmas cards together, and with a Christmas Service planned for the 18th December. The children have also written letters to the residents, sent Christmas cards and even written a poem about their newfound friendships, and the residents look forward to seeing the students every week!

Pupils at Willow Lane Primary School have been making Christmas decorations and cards for the residents and sent some chocolates as well. Resident Maureen said, “Isn’t it lovely! It’s so nice to know that people are thinking about us at Christmas time. I wish they could come and visit us, but its nice seeing them on the TV every week too!”

Pupils at Lancaster Girls Grammar School are sending videos of themselves reading poetry that they have written for the residents, the Steiner School have sent Michaelmas and Advent videos that the residents really enjoyed watching, and Appletree Nursey will be sending a video of their Nativity Play this year.

Laurel Bank prepared to commemorate Remembrance Sunday on Sunday 08th November by creating their very own poppy display within the homes entrance foyer for all to see and will joined the rest of the United Kingdom in holding a two-minute silence at 11am.   Residents wore their poppies with pride and watched the televised service.

Laurel Bank celebrated bonfire night on 5th November. In celebration, the home chose a selection of fireworks and gave the residents to some sparklers to light once the sun had set. The residents enjoyed traditional bonfire night treats.

Lyndsay Scott, General Manager at Laurel Bank said: “It’s great to see so many of the residents wrapping up warm and braving the cold English weather to watch the homes fireworks.”

The fun and laughter has continued at Laurel Bank care home, in Lancaster as residents recently enjoyed trying pebble art for a Remembrance Day display, a cheese and wine tasting evening, a chair based exercise class and of course making a Guy for Bonfire Night!

Residents at Laurel Bank have enjoyed our engaging activities programmes consisting of monthly virtual church services, a firework’s display, Resident’s Meetings, chocolate tasting, weekly quizzes, reminiscence, and games of Bingo arranged by the homes’ activities team for residents within the home and local community groups.