Activities at Marnel Lodge Care Home

We had a wonderful time celebrating Housekeeping Week and recognising our fantastic housekeeping team for all their hard work and dedication.

Our residents joined in by decorating a special cake and writing personalised cards to thank the team. It was lovely to hear residents sharing their appreciation for everything our housekeepers do to keep Marnel Lodge clean, comfortable and welcoming.

A big thank you to our amazing housekeeping team – your hard work often happens behind the scenes, but it makes a huge difference every single day. 

Residents at Marnel Lodge Care Home enjoyed a wonderful trip down memory lane this week when an ice cream van visited the home, creating smiles, laughter and cherished moments during the warm summer weather.

The special visit formed part of the home’s Life Enrichment Programme, designed to enhance residents’ wellbeing by creating meaningful experiences and bringing back treasured memories from years gone by. Residents gathered outside to choose their favourite ice creams, reminisce about childhood summers and enjoy time together with family, friends and the care team. For many, the familiar sound of the ice cream van brought back happy memories.

In our garden, stories quietly come to life. Each seed planted brings back memories of home gardens, favourite flowers, and moments once shared with loved ones. Residents come together, hands in soil, not just to grow plants, but to reconnect with parts of their own journey.

There is laughter, gentle conversation, and a sense of purpose as each person contributes in their own way—whether planting, watering, or simply enjoying the fresh air. Our Garden Club is more than an activity; it is a living story of wellbeing, connection, and meaningful moments that continue to grow each day.      

Residents at Marnel Lodge Care Home marked International Women’s Day by creating thoughtful cards and sharing stories about the inspiring women who have influenced their lives. 

It was a meaningful session filled with reflection, appreciation and heartfelt conversations, celebrating the strength, kindness and impact of women across generations. 

Residents at Marnel Lodge Care Home enjoyed celebrating Pancake Day with plenty of smiles and delicious treats. Everyone had fun watching and taking part in pancake flipping while choosing their favourite toppings. 

From sweet to savoury, the pancakes were enjoyed by all, making it a lovely and cheerful afternoon for residents and staff alike.   

Our residents enjoyed a wonderful trip to Eastrop Park, making the most of the fresh air and beautiful surroundings. It was a lovely opportunity to get out into the local community, enjoy a gentle stroll, relax by the lake and spend quality time together.

There were plenty of smiles, laughter and happy moments along the way. Days out like this are a wonderful way to support wellbeing, independence and meaningful engagement. A lovely day enjoyed by all! 

Residents at Marnel Lodge Care Home came together to celebrate National Burger Day in true summer style, enjoying a delicious homemade barbecue and an afternoon filled with good food, conversation and laughter.

The smell of freshly cooked burgers from the barbecue soon created a buzz around the home, with residents enjoying the opportunity to choose their favourites, sit together with friends and spend time chatting with members of the team.

For many residents, a barbecue is about much more than food. The familiar sights, smells and tastes prompted conversations about past summer gatherings, family barbecues, holidays and special occasions, giving residents the opportunity to reminisce and share their own stories and memories with one another.     

Our residents enjoyed a delightful Italian-themed activity, coming together to make their very own tiramisu. From layering the ingredients to sharing memories of favourite foods and travels, it was a wonderful sensory and social experience.

The activity brought smiles, creativity, and a real sense of achievement—finished off with the best part, of course… tasting their delicious creations!      

Residents at Marnel Lodge Care Home enjoyed celebrating Holi, the festival of colours, with joy and excitement. 

The home was filled with vibrant colours, laughter and music as residents came together to learn about the meaning of the festival and celebrate the spirit of happiness, unity and positivity. It was a wonderful and colourful day enjoyed by all.   

Residents at Marnel Lodge Care Home enjoyed a lovely Valentine’s Day celebration, spending time making beautiful cards for their loved ones and sharing sweet treats together. 

The day was filled with warmth, laughter and reminders of the importance of love, friendship and kindness, making it a truly special occasion for everyone. 

We were delighted to celebrate Carers Week at Marnel Lodge, taking the opportunity to recognise and thank our wonderful care team for the compassion, dedication and kindness they show our residents every day.

Our carers play such an important part in making Marnel Lodge feel like home, building meaningful relationships with residents and supporting them with dignity, respect and a smile.

A huge thank you to all our amazing carers for everything you do – your hard work and commitment truly make a difference every single day. 

Residents at Marnel Lodge Care Home enjoyed a heart-warming surprise breakfast as part of the home’s International Nurses Day celebrations, where nurses, alongside General Manager Anju Abraham and Deputy Manager Deepthi Murali, swapped their usual routines to personally prepare and serve breakfast to residents.

The special morning was organised to celebrate the compassion, dedication and kindness shown by nurses every day, while also creating meaningful moments with residents in a warm and personal way. Aspiring future nurses within the team also joined the event, helping to serve breakfast and spend quality time with residents.

The dining rooms were filled with laughter, conversations and smiles as residents enjoyed freshly prepared breakfast served directly by the nursing and management teams. Residents also took part in making beautiful handmade thank you cards for the nurses to express their appreciation for the care and support they receive throughout the year.

General Manager Anju Abraham said “International Nurses Day is a wonderful opportunity to recognise the incredible work our nurses do every single day. We wanted to celebrate in a meaningful way by spending quality time with residents and personally serving them breakfast. Nursing is about compassion, dignity, kindness and building relationships, and this celebration reflected all of those values beautifully.”

We were delighted to celebrate a very special milestone for our wonderful Activity Assistant, Theresa. Her dedication, warmth, and creativity bring so much joy to daily life at Marnel Lodge.

Residents and colleagues came together to mark the occasion, sharing smiles, laughter, and heartfelt appreciation for everything she does. It was a lovely moment to reflect on the positive impact she makes every day.            

Residents from Marnel Lodge Care Home recently enjoyed a fantastic outing to The Leisure Park in Basingstoke, where they had great fun playing a friendly game of bowling. 

There was lots of laughter, cheering and a bit of healthy competition as everyone took their turn aiming for the pins. The trip was a wonderful opportunity for residents to get out, stay active and enjoy a fun day together, creating happy memories along the way.  

After days of wonderful preparation, our residents, together with the Maintenance Team, Activities Team, and staff from across the home, transformed Marnel Lodge into a festive winter haven. From decorating the lounges to lighting up the gardens, everyone worked with so much heart to make the season truly magical.

On 1st December, our home came alive as our much-loved Resident Ambassador, Ian, proudly lit up the Christmas lights. The moment the home sparkled, smiles filled the room — a memory we will treasure throughout the season. Residents, families, and staff enjoyed warm mulled wine and freshly baked mince pies, creating the perfect cosy atmosphere to welcome December.

Home Manager Anju extended her heartfelt thanks to every resident and team member who contributed to the preparations, saying how proud she is of the shared effort, creativity, and festive spirit shining through Marnel Lodge. Here’s to a joyful December ahead, filled with celebration, community, and Christmas cheer!