Activities at Spen Court Care Home

Our residents were thrilled to join Antonia Keaney - Blenheim Palace’s Historian for an intriguing virtual talk on Winston Churchill.

The private resources of Blenheim Palace were drawn upon to afford very new and refreshing insights into this remarkable man. During the talk Antonia shared fascinating information about the breadth of talent, achievement and personality of the "Greatest Briton": soldier, politician, statesman, painter, writer, orator, family man - and bricklayer!

We all had a wonderful time and enjoyed learning more about UK’s former Prime Minister.

Staff and residents at Spen Court in Heckmondwike have taken part in a sponsored silence to raise money for Children in Need.

Taking place this year on Friday 19 November, Children in Need raises money to help support local charities and projects which are providing essential frontline help to children and young people in communities throughout the UK.

The homes activities team – Angela and Christine are taking part in a sponsored silence, they are armed with whiteboards to communicate throughout the day. Carer, Wendy is braving half a head shave. The whole team are doing fancy dress for the day.

Residents, visitors and staff at Spen Court were all very supportive and were there to cheer on the participants as they began the fundraising challenge.

We were delighted to join Blooming Haus’s Christmas Wreath Making Masterclass, where Master Florist, Michal and his business partner - Michael showed us the best method to create beautiful festive wreaths.

Following the tips and ideas learnt during the amazing virtual experience, we were happy to put our skills to a test and to enter the #BarchesterChristmasWreaths competition.

We all had a wonderful time creating our festive wreath/s.

Thank you @bloominghaus for helping our residents flow into the true spirit of Noel.

Spen Court in Heckmondwike commemorated the signing of the Armistice Day agreement on the day that the guns finally fell silent.  They joined the rest of the United Kingdom in holding a two-minute silence at the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day, of the eleventh month.

As well as marking Armistice Day by wearing poppies and observing the national two minute silence, residents took part in therapeutic activities, making a poppy display for the reception area for all visitors to see, and having a wartime singing session

Brenda, a resident at Spen Court, said: “It is lovely that we keep the memories of those who fought alive and that we also think about those involved in conflicts around the world today.”

We celebrated Remembrance Day with English National Ballet Associate Dance Artist, Richard Bermange, who led a creative dance workshop for our residents followed by a special extract of Akram Khan’s work Dust, premiered in 2014 as part of ENB’s Lest We Forget programme, commemorating the First World War.

ENB company dancers, Erina Takahashi and James Streeter performed the extract and provided some insight into this moving work.

Our residents had a wonderful time as they listened, danced and were able to singalong to famous war time music performed by ENB Associate Musician, Matt Hartley-Stevens.

All staff and residents at Barchester’s Spen Court care home, in Heckmondwike, are delighted to have received their booster Covid-19 vaccinations in the home, provided by Healds Road Surgery, Dewsbury.

General Manager, Sarah Sykes said: “We’ve all been through such a difficult time over the past 18 months but the vaccine has been so important in helping us get our residents’ lives back on track. I am so proud of the team and how they have worked together and continue to do so and we are all so grateful to be prioritised to receive the booster vaccine first.  We’re not completely back to normal yet but we know the booster vaccination is vital to help us keep everyone safe.”

Kirsty Bamford, Deputy Manager at Spen Court care home said: “We know that Covid isn’t over and we still need to be careful and follow the guidelines, but there is a huge sense of relief now that we have had our booster vaccinations.  We know that this will help keep our residents safe and allow us to enjoy some visitors and entertainment over the winter months.”