Activities at Plas-Y-Dderwen Care Home

Our Senior General Manager, Sharon, was recently presented with her 10-Year Service Award. Here is what Sharon had to say about her Barchester journey: "I am very pleased to have completed my 10-year service for Barchester Healthcare and will have some fun spending my award. It is great that Barchester recognise Long Service Awards as this demonstrates that staff are valued. My journey with Barchester started as Head of Unit of the General Community at Plas Y Dderwen in January 2015. In January 2016, I took over as the General Manager and remained in this post until November 2018, whereby I relocated to undertake some contract recovery work as a Senior General Manager for a Barchester home in Mid-Wales. Following this, my role developed further into a Regional Support Manager, supporting various homes within the Central Division, and prior to returning to Plas Y Dderwen in July 2022 I was the Regional Director for Barchester Healthcare, covering the Northampton and Oxfordshire areas. Unfortunately, my husband’s health deteriorated, and we relocated to West Wales. The vacancy for Home Manager at Plas Y Dderwen became available, and I returned to be part of the amazing team that we are. Resident focus is my main priority and passion, as well as ensuring that all staff members are valued and treated respectfully. I thoroughly enjoy my role and look forward to many years of leading the team here." 

Congratulations on an amazing achievement Sharon! Thank you for everything you do for our team and all of our residents!

We have started a new initiative with our ‘Old Skool’ sessions, which are all about having fun while learning something new—because let’s be honest, every day is a school day!

Recently, our residents have been getting stuck in to the world of dinosaurs after a few tricky quiz questions sparked some curiosity. With a mix of videos, presentations, and quizzes, we’ve been exploring fascinating facts about these prehistoric giants—like the towering Brachiosaurus and its plant-munching ways. The quiz at the end was a huge hit, and everyone did brilliantly!

But it’s not just about learning—it’s about coming together, sharing stories, and having a good time. With more sessions planned and a Jurassic Park movie afternoon on the horizon, we’re all looking forward to seeing where Old Skool takes us next!

Love was certainly in the air as we celebrated Valentine’s Day with a delightful afternoon filled with creativity, delicious treats, and plenty of smiles!

Our residents enjoyed a wonderful flower arranging session, creating beautiful bouquets to brighten up their spaces. It was lovely to see everyone getting involved, sharing memories, and admiring each other’s floral designs.

In the afternoon, we gathered for a special Valentine’s tea, complete with an array of sweet and savoury delights lovingly prepared by our talented team. The star of the show? Our manager’s homemade raspberry and chocolate cheesecake—an absolute hit with everyone!

The atmosphere was filled with warmth as we socialised over tea, listening to music with a romantic twist. It was a truly special day, bringing joy, connection, and a little extra love to all. Here’s to many more heart-warming moments together! 

At our recent residents’ meeting, we discussed the exciting idea of exploring new topics and holding educational sessions each month. To begin the sessions, we decided to focus on a fun and cute subject – National Squirrel Day, which fell on January 21st.

We kicked off National Squirrel Day with a fun and informative session all about these cheeky creatures! Did you know there are around 285 different species of squirrels worldwide? This includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots, and even flying squirrels! 

Our residents had a blast learning more about these adorable little animals, especially since we often spot them in our gardens, especially near the bird feeders. We finished the session by colouring in our very own squirrels ready to decorate our board. 

Every month, we are fortunate to be visited by the wonderful volunteers from Carmarthenshire Therapy Dogs. Wendi and Zakadoodle, a lovable Labradoodle. Have been visiting us for around 18 months now, and our residents eagerly look forward to their arrival. The excitement on their faces when they see Zakadoodle is truly heart-warming.

It is a joy to witness the smiles and happiness they bring, and we are incredibly grateful for the time they dedicate to visiting all of our communities. Their presence makes such a positive difference in our residents' lives.

On New Year’s Day, we celebrated not only the arrival of the new year but also the remarkable 102nd birthday of our beloved June. Having celebrated 102 New Year’s Days, her first one being the day she was born in 1923, this milestone was truly special. 

The day began with a celebration tipple of sherry, followed by a lively Pyjama Karaoke Party in the afternoon. Staff and residents joined in the fun, singing along to some timeless classics. June was surrounded by her family, who joined in the festivities and enjoyed a delicious homemade chocolate cake.

We are incredibly proud of June for reaching the extraordinary milestone of 102 and feel so happy to have shared this unforgettable day with her!