Activities at Marriott House and Lodge Care Home

Volunteers who generously give their time to support Marriott House and Lodge care home were honoured with a special thank you during Volunteers Week 2025.

Taking place this year from June 2–8, Volunteers Week is a national celebration of the dedication and selflessness of individuals who go above and beyond to enrich the lives of others. At Marriott House and Lodge, it was a heartfelt occasion to recognise those who make a difference in the lives of residents every week.

One such volunteer is Jean, who has been visiting the home for over 10 years. She dedicates her time three to four days each week, not only spending quality time with residents but also leading the weekly church service. Jean is cherished by staff, residents, and family members alike for her warmth, consistency, and kindness.

The home is also grateful for Carly, who brings along her wonderful dogs Rocket, Tommy, and Atlas as part of Canine Concern. These furry visits bring smiles and comfort to everyone and are always a highlight for residents and staff.

Volunteers contribute in many ways — from offering companionship and participating in life enrichment activities to simply being a friendly presence. Their involvement is deeply appreciated and makes a lasting impact on the well-being of the residents.

Sarah Peach, General Manager at Barchester Healthcare, said: “Our care home is like a family, and our volunteers are a cherished part of that family — loved and valued by all. It takes a special kind of person to give up their time so selflessly, and we are incredibly lucky to have them.”

The home’s life enrichment programme offers residents daily opportunities to stay active and engaged through a variety of physical, mental, and spiritual activities tailored to their interests and needs — made even more special with the help of dedicated volunteers.

Residents, staff, and visitors at Marriott House and Lodge were treated to a delightful afternoon in the garden, celebrating the sunshine with great company, delicious treats, and wonderful live music.

The highlight of the day was a fantastic performance by the talented Ryan Mac, whose lively musical entertainment had everyone tapping their toes and singing along. His energy and charm created a joyful atmosphere that truly lifted everyone’s spirits.

As music filled the air, guests sipped on refreshing glasses of Pimm’s and enjoyed a classic cream tea—complete with scones, jam, and clotted cream. It was a perfect pairing of the beautiful weather and vibrant garden setting.

Events like these bring so much joy to our community, fostering connection, happiness, and a true sense of home. A big thank you to Ryan Mac and everyone who helped make the afternoon so special!

We marked a very special occasion here at Marriott House and Lodge in Chichester — the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day — with a fabulous 1940s-themed celebration that brought back memories, honoured the past, and brought everyone together in the best possible way.

Our home was transformed with red, white, and blue decorations, and residents and staff alike dressed up in their finest 1940s-inspired outfits. The atmosphere was full of excitement as we gathered to enjoy an afternoon of laughter, music, and reflection. Head Chef Jeff and our amazing kitchen team pulled out all the stops with a delicious BBQ and a tempting selection of desserts. With plenty of tea and a glass of fizz to toast the occasion, there was no shortage of treats to enjoy!

A key part of the day was observing the national two-minute silence. Residents, visitors, and staff came together to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It was a moving moment, made even more powerful by heartfelt poetry and quiet reflection. In true Marriott House and Lodge spirit, the afternoon carried on with a lively VE Day-themed quiz that sparked plenty of memories and a bit of friendly competition. We were then treated to a wonderful performance by local entertainer Dawn Gracie, whose songs had everyone singing along, tapping their toes, and dancing.

Sarah Peach, our General Manager, said: “Many of our residents can remember the end of the war, and we all understand what a significant moment it was for our country. It meant so much to be able to listen to their stories and celebrate their memories. The day was filled with laughter, music, and real joy — it was truly special.” Resident, June, summed it up beautifully:

"What a fantastic day! The BBQ was delicious, the quiz brought back so many memories, and the music had us all singing along. I still remember listening to Churchill’s speech on the radio, hearing those words that the war was over—it gave us such hope. It was lovely to celebrate the 80th anniversary with everyone here today. I felt proud and grateful to be part of it." 

It was a day to remember — full of smiles, shared stories, and a real sense of community.

After nearly 15 incredible years of dedicated service at Marriott House and Lodge in Chichester, our cherished Senior Care Assistant, Sharon, is embarking on a well-deserved retirement. 

To celebrate Sharon’s remarkable journey, staff and residents came together for a joyful farewell party that was overflowing with laughter, music, dancing, champagne, delectable cake, and heartfelt gifts. The community here holds a treasure trove of lovely memories with Sharon, and her absence will truly be felt. 

Throughout her time at Marriott House and Lodge, Sharon evolved from a Care Assistant to a beloved Senior Care Assistant, leaving an unforgettable mark on everyone’s hearts. 

Sharing her sentiments, Sharon said, “Marriott House and Lodge feels like family. As I look towards retirement, I know I will miss everyone here dearly!”

Nikki Culleton, our General Manager, beautifully captured Sharon’s essence, stating, “Sharon is that rare gem who was destined to care for others. With her big heart, she has touched the lives of so many residents and inspired us all. While we will miss her dearly, we are excited for the adventures that await her in retirement!”

Marriott House and Lodge was adorned with flowers, cards, and sweets in celebration of St. Valentine’s Day. To mark the occasion, the home invited local elderly individuals who might typically spend the day alone to join the residents for a special Valentine’s Day lunch. 

Everyone—residents, visitors, and staff—enjoyed a delicious, freshly prepared three-course meal in the dining room, accompanied by music and friendly conversation. The celebrations continued with a variety of activities that were enjoyed by all. 

General Manager Nikki Culleton, remarked, “We’ve all had a lovely day decorating the home, and it was a pleasure to host a lunch for the local community. We offered a range of treats and Valentine’s-themed fun, and we enjoyed every moment of it!”

One resident at Marriott House and Lodge said, “It has been a lovely day. It was wonderful to have some new visitors for lunch; everyone made such an effort to participate in the day’s festivities.”

The ‘Don’t Dine Alone’ initiative was launched by the home’s parent company, Barchester Healthcare, as a way to reach out to isolated or vulnerable members of their local communities. Barchester Healthcare is also behind Barchester’s Charitable Foundation, which is a registered charity that gives grants to older people and other adults with a disability to help combat loneliness and enable people to be active and engaged in the communities where the Barchester care homes operate. The programme keeps residents active, and provides a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents’ interests and abilities.

We celebrated a traditional Burns Night Lunch accompanied by the sound of bagpipes, with festivities continuing throughout the day. 

Staff and residents participated in several activities, including writing their own poetry and enjoying a special visit from a piper, who honoured the Scottish tradition with the time-honoured address to the "Great chieftain O' the pudding race"—the haggis. 

Nikki Culleton, General Manager at Marriott House and Lodge, remarked that it was a wonderful occasion to celebrate an evening rich in tradition while engaging in poetry and Scottish-themed activities. 

“Burns Night is always a fantastic event at Marriott House and Lodge Care Home. It’s important to keep these traditions alive. Our residents enjoyed a hearty meal of Scotch broth and haggis with neeps and tatties, all expertly prepared by our talented chef, Jeff. The presence of a local piper made the meal even more special. We also had a great time writing our own poetry,” she said.

Judy, a resident at Marriott House Care Home, added, “I thoroughly enjoyed today. The piper was amazing and made the day that extra bit special.”

In January, we proudly celebrated National Activity Providers Week, taking a moment to recognise and express our gratitude for our amazing Life Enrichment team. 

Under the leadership of Emma, and with the support of Abby, Ellie, and our General Assistant, Elaine, this dedicated team brings joy and creativity to our residents every day. They consistently go the extra mile, and we are truly thankful for their efforts. 

Throughout the week, we're hosting special celebrations at our home, bringing together residents, friends, and colleagues to join in the festivities and spread happiness.

We held a very special birthday Party for our wonderful volunteer, Jean. 

Jean celebrated her 85th birthday with a celebration in her honour, complete with gifts, some prosecco, and a delicious birthday cake made by Abby, a member of our activities team. 

Jean visits the home at least four times a week and leads a Sunday service every week. We truly don’t know what we would do without Jean; she is an extraordinary lady.

Our Countdown to Christmas began with various engaging and festive activities! We were thrilled to host a talented local five-piece swing ensemble called The Sleepy Lagoon Orchestra. We celebrated our Christmas Holy Communion Service and had fun with a Christmas Quiz Afternoon featuring festive cocktails. The magic continued with a heartwarming performance from St. Anthony's School Choir and an amazing performance by Suzanne Hill School Of Dance. We capped it off with a meaningful Christingle service led by our wonderful volunteer, Jean.

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who visited and contributed to making this Christmas season so special. It has been an exciting week, and we look forward to another fantastic week ahead as we continue our joyful countdown to Christmas!

Please add the above to the Marriott House and Lodge website under life at our home!