Activities at St Thomas Care Home

Our residents were thrilled to welcome some very special visitors from Cuddly Cavies, a charming group of gentle guinea pigs who certainly brought plenty of smiles with them. There was a wonderful sense of calm and happiness in the room as residents had the opportunity to hold, stroke and spend time with these adorable little animals.

Moments like these often spark fond memories, and it was lovely to hear the conversations flowing as residents shared stories of past pets and experiences. The visit created a warm, relaxed atmosphere and plenty of joy for everyone involved.

Animal visits always hold a special place in our home, and this afternoon was no exception. A heartfelt thank you to Cuddly Cavies for bringing such happiness to our residents. We look forward to seeing you again soon!  

Today at St Thomas Care Home, we were treated to the most delightful surprise, two tiny fluffy visitors who completely stole our hearts!

Earlier this week, our lovely manager Jenny celebrated a very special moment when two adorable chicks hatched on Wednesday. Wanting to share the joy of their arrival, she very kindly brought them into the home, so our residents could experience the magic too.

From the moment they arrived, there were smiles all around. Residents loved meeting the chicks, gently holding them and admiring their soft feathers and tiny cheeps. The room was filled with laughter, conversation and a wonderful sense of warmth as everyone enjoyed this unique experience together.

It was truly beautiful to see how something so small could make such a big impact. The chicks brightened everyone’s day, sparking happy memories and creating new ones at the same time. Moments like these remind us that in our home, joy is often found in the simplest of things and sometimes, the tiniest visitors bring the biggest smiles.  

St Thomas was filled with colour, laughter and togetherness as we came together to celebrate Chinese New Year, and what a wonderful celebration it was!

The home was beautifully decorated in vibrant reds and shimmering golds, colours that symbolise good fortune and joy. From the moment you stepped through the doors, there was a real sense of occasion in the air. Residents admired the decorations, shared stories of past celebrations, and embraced the opportunity to learn more about the traditions surrounding the Year of the Fire Horse.
One of the highlights of the day was, of course, the delicious feast lovingly prepared by our talented chef. A wonderful selection of Chinese dishes was served, each one thoughtfully made and full of flavour. The dining room was alive with conversation as residents and team members gathered around the table, sharing new tastes, laughter and special moments together. Food has such a beautiful way of bringing people closer, and this meal certainly did just that.  

Celebrating cultural traditions within our home is so important to us. Days like this give everyone the opportunity to learn something new, reminisce about experiences, and create meaningful memories together. It’s about more than marking a date on the calendar, it’s about connection, respect and embracing the rich diversity of the world around us.

As we gallop into the Year of the Fire Horse, we do so with warmth in our hearts and smiles on our faces, grateful for the joy of celebrating side by side. Moments like these truly remind us that care is about so much more than support, it’s about belonging, shared experiences and making memories that last.

As 2026 approached, the rooms at St Thomas Care Home were filled with music, laughter and the buzz of excitement that only a New Year can bring. 

Residents came together to celebrate in true style, enjoying delicious food, a few well-earned drinks and a playlist packed with classic party favourites. From gentle toe-tapping to full-on dancing and singing along, the joy in the room was infectious.

When the countdown began, everyone joined in, party poppers at the ready, smiles all around and a shared sense of togetherness. As the New Year arrived, it was welcomed with cheers, laughter and hope for all the moments still to come. It was a beautiful reminder that life is about celebrating together, treasuring memories and starting each new chapter with joy. Here’s to many more happy moments ahead at St Thomas.   

There was a real sense of magic in the air at St Thomas today as our residents came together to begin decorating the home for Christmas. With sleeves rolled up and smiles all around, everyone enjoyed taking part in transforming our spaces into a festive wonderland.

Together, we hung shimmering tinsel, carefully placed colourful baubles on the Christmas trees, switched on twinkling lights and displayed our favourite festive ornaments. Each decoration added an extra sparkle and helped bring the spirit of Christmas to life.
As classic Christmas songs played in the background, there was lots of singing along, laughter and shared memories, creating a wonderfully joyful atmosphere throughout the home. Getting our residents involved in decorating brings so many meaningful benefits. It encourages creativity, sparks happy memories, supports wellbeing and, most importantly, creates a lovely sense of community and togetherness. 

Thanks to everyone’s efforts, St Thomas is now filled with festive cheer, and the excitement for the season ahead is truly building. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at St Thomas!

Here at St Thomas Care Home, we have been getting into the spirit of the season a little early by preparing for Easter with a lovely creative afternoon together.

Our residents spent time making beautiful Easter wreaths, using greenery, decorative eggs and a variety of cheerful spring touches. The room was filled with laughter, conversation and a shared sense of creativity as everyone got involved and added their own personal flair to their designs.

It was wonderful to see residents supporting one another, exchanging ideas and simply enjoying each other’s company while crafting something so seasonal and meaningful. Activities like this are a lovely way to bring people together, marking the changing seasons in a simple yet special way.

Well done to all who took part, your wreaths looked absolutely fantastic, and we are now well and truly ready to welcome Easter at our home!

This Valentine’s Day, our home was filled with smiles, warmth and a little extra sparkle as we celebrated Valentine's Day in the sweetest way.

Our wonderful residents and team members were treated to a truly heart-melting surprise, a very special little visitor delivering beautiful roses to spread the love. Cameron, who absolutely loves popping into work with his mum during the school holidays, made sure that this visit fell on Valentine’s Day so he could make it extra special.

With the biggest smile and the kindest heart, Cameron personally handed out roses to every resident and member of staff, making sure each person felt valued, appreciated and remembered. His thoughtful gesture brightened the entire home and sparked so many lovely conversations (and a few happy tears too!).

There is something incredibly special about seeing different generations come together. Moments like these remind us that care is about community, connection and sharing kindness in its purest form. The joy on everyone’s faces said it all, a simple act of thoughtfulness can mean the world. Thank you, Cameron, for sharing your big heart with us all. You truly made our Valentine’s Day one to remember!      

Our residents have enjoyed a wonderfully creative moment, with imaginations flowing and individuality shining through. Using a template of their own initial, everyone created a unique collage, choosing from colourful ribbons, sparkling gems, stickers and a variety of textured materials. With plenty of glue and lots of careful concentration, each design slowly came to life, and the results were absolutely fantastic.

The session was calm, focused and incredibly rewarding. Creative activities like this offer so much more than just beautiful artwork; they encourage self-expression, support fine motor skills and help build confidence through a real sense of achievement. They also spark conversation, memories and moments of connection along the way.

Watching our residents take pride in their creations was truly special. A gentle reminder that creativity has no limits, and that every individual has their own story to tell.     

Recently, our residents enjoyed a wonderfully sweet and creative activity as they became gingerbread architects and artists. The room was filled with excitement as everyone set to work designing and decorating their own gingerbread creations.

From colourful gingerbread houses to cheerful little gingerbread people, creativity flowed freely and there were smiles all around. No two creations were the same, with each one reflecting its maker’s personality and festive flair.

Along the way, there was plenty of laughter and enjoyment, and a little sneaky tasting added to the fun. The activity created a relaxed and joyful atmosphere, bringing everyone together to share in the festive spirit.

It was a truly delightful, laughter-filled experience that our residents thoroughly enjoyed and one that will be fondly remembered. 

Yesterday, some of our lovely residents from St Thomas enjoyed a delightful trip to Capital Gardens Garden Centre!  They spent a wonderful afternoon exploring the displays, admiring colourful blooms, and having a closer look at the impressive fruit trees. 

To everyone’s surprise, they even bumped into a very large Santa!  His cheerful presence brought plenty of smiles and laughter, adding an extra sprinkle of festive fun to the day.

We rounded off the outing with a well-deserved cup of tea and a slice of cake, the perfect way to end such a lovely afternoon together. Another day filled with joy, good company, and happy memories at St Thomas!     

Our lovely residents were treated to a fantastic performance by Sadie from Strictly Entertainment, who brought her fabulous Swing into Spring show to us, and what a delight it was from beginning to end. From the very first note, the room came alive with smiles, toe-tapping and the joyful sound of residents singing along.

The nostalgic melodies carried everyone gently down memory lane, sparking fond memories and plenty of laughter. Sadie’s stunning costume changes added an extra touch of magic, beautifully transporting us through the eras. Each new outfit was met with gasps of delight and warm rounds of applause, creating a real sense of excitement throughout the performance.

It was heart-warming to see our residents so engaged, singing their hearts out, sharing stories, and simply enjoying the moment together. There was a wonderful sense of connection in the room, a reminder of how powerful music can be in bringing people closer.

A huge thank you to Sadie for such an uplifting and memorable morning. We are already looking forward to welcoming her back again soon!

The smell of freshly made pancakes filled the air this week as we came together to celebrate Shrove Tuesday, and what a flipping wonderful time we had!

From the very first pancake to the final drizzle of chocolate sauce, the afternoon was full of smiles and happy chatter. Our residents loved choosing their favourite toppings, whether sticking with the classic combination of lemon and sugar or opting for something a little more indulgent like fresh strawberries and rich chocolate sauce. Each plate was made just the way they liked it, proving that the best pancakes are personal ones!

There was plenty of laughter as we shared stories of Pancake Days gone by, with some reminiscing about making pancakes for their own families and others recalling impressive flipping skills from years past. It was heart-warming to see everyone enjoying not just the sweet treats, but the joy of being together.

Moments like these are what truly make our home so special. It’s in the simple pleasures, gathering around the table, sharing conversation, and enjoying something delicious, that lasting memories are made. Celebrations don’t always need to be grand; sometimes, all it takes is a warm pancake and good company to create a perfect day.

Recently at St Thomas Care Home, the building was filled with the unmistakable sound of rock ’n’ roll as residents came together to celebrate the birthday of the one and only Elvis Presley.

The day was all about remembering his legendary music, with an Elvis-themed party that had everyone smiling from ear to ear. From showing off some impressive Elvis-inspired dance moves, to singing along to the timeless classics, the atmosphere was bursting with laughter, energy and joy.

As the music played on, memories were shared and feet tapped along in true blue suede shoe style. It was a wonderful celebration of music, fun and togetherness, a day that truly had everyone all shook up.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the day so special… Elvis would have been proud.    

Recently, we had the absolute pleasure of welcoming a wonderful Christmas choir into our beautiful chapel at St Thomas Care Home. The choir had been practising for weeks in preparation for their performance, and the result was truly unforgettable.

Every voice was beautiful, filling the chapel with festive cheer and creating a warm, magical atmosphere that was enjoyed by residents and staff alike. The music brought moments of reflection, joy and togetherness, making it a very special occasion for everyone present.

The choir kindly chose to raise money for our resident fund at St Thomas Care Home, as one of the performers’ beloved mothers once lived here. This made the evening even more meaningful, and we were deeply touched that they selected a cause so close to their hearts.

We are currently counting the donations and will share an update once the final amount raised is confirmed. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the wonderful performers at Soul Thirst Music for providing such a memorable and meaningful Christmas experience for our community.

We had a very special visitor at our care home, Baxter, our lovely team member’s adorable Dachshund x Jack Russell! 

Baxter wasted no time making himself at home, happily sniffing around, exploring every corner, and handing out plenty of friendly licks along the way. In return, he was treated to lots of cuddles, strokes and fuss from our delighted residents. 

The smiles and laughter he brought with him truly brightened everyone’s day. It’s amazing how a little wagging tail can fill a whole room with joy! Thank you, Baxter, for spreading so much happiness, we can’t wait for your next visit!