Activities at Ouse View Care Home

Ouse View residents paid their respects to the heroes of the First World War by commemorating Armistice Day with a two-minute silence in the home's cinema room. They enjoyed watching television coverage of the special service held at Westminster Abbey to mark the centenary of the burial of the Unknown Warrior. One resident remarked: "I may not be able to go to church at the moment, but this was the next best thing

Remember, remember the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot." Ouse View residents may not have been plotting treason, but they were definitely planning on having an enjoyable Bonfire Night. A selection of fireworks were followed by a wonderful fifth of November dinner enjoyed by all.

Residents are overjoyed at Ouse View care home in Fulford, York as Barchester Healthcare has implemented a designated 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 Ouse View 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.

As part of Ouse View’s ongoing community engagement programme, the home teamed up with St Oswald’s CE Primary School, Fulford for a newly launched pen pal scheme connecting residents with its creative writing pupils. Year 5 pupils recently started a new topic about the war, and have been incredibly kind in sending many letters to residents at Ouse View. The beautifully written letters introduce themselves, and ask residents to share stories they might have about their own wartime experiences. Residents will be writing back to each pupil, and as you can see from the photos, they were totally captivated by the content of the letters.

Residents and staff took part in Ouse View's very first Harvest Festival, with hymns and prayers enjoyed in the home's cinema room. 'Morning Has Broken', 'We Plough the Fields and Scatter', 'All Things Bright and Beautiful' and others, were followed by a nice cup of tea and a slice of cake on a glorious autumn afternoon.

Activities Coordinator, Richard Sweeting is pictured leading the service, and behind him can be seen the home's Harvest Festival display which is entered into this year's Barchester competition to find the best Harvest display featuring a sourdough basket.

Enriching the life of residents through a fun, engaging and stimulating programme of activities is of paramount importance at Ouse View, and indeed Barchester Healthcare. And rolling (no pun intended) activities, care and nutrition all into one, saw residents enjoy making some delicious home-made tarts during one of the home's regular baking sessions. In the oven they went, ready for afternoon tea and cakes on a gloriously sunny outdoor terrace. It may be October now, but as Pop Larkin used to say, "Perfick!