Activities at Strachan House Care Home

Staff and residents at Barchester’s Strachan House care home in Edinburgh got out their binoculars and bird books to support this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch initiative.

The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch is an annual event to try to understand what is happening to our native birds. The idea is to log all the birds you see in your garden, from your window or in your local park in a one hour period any time between January 27th and 29th. In 2021 over 1 million people took part and between them they counted 17 million birds. Sadly we have lost over 38 million birds from the UK skies in the last 50 years so it is vital we do all we can to protect our birdlife.

Strachan House care home in Edinburgh prepared a traditional Burns Night Supper to the tune of bagpipes with their gardener Andy who is a talented player. After supper the fun continued well into the night with some poem recitals and then some more entertainment all washed down with a dram or two.

Staff and residents at the home were involved in a number of activities learning the life and times of the great man along with trying to grasp some old scots language. The whole day was dedicated to the Scottish institution, including giving the time-honoured address to the ‘Great chieftain O’ the pudding race’ – the haggis.

Staff and residents at Strachan House welcomed in the Year of the Rabbit with a day of celebrations and activities.

Inspired by Chinese culture and traditions, lucky red envelopes were exchanged and the home was decorated with hanging red lanterns. Residents learnt all about the traditions and superstitions of Chinese New Year. Head chef Paul cooked up an oriental feast for dinner and residents enjoyed the delicious food washed down with pots of Chinese tea.

Gordon Philp, General Manager of Barchester’s Strachan House said: “We have had a brilliant day, the home looks absolutely wonderful decorated all in red and we all had such fun finding out what animal we were as well as learning how to spell our name in Chinese. The associated traits and reading each other’s horoscopes all had us giggling. The residents loved watching videos of traditional lion and dragon dances too.

Across our services our residents have enjoyed a wonderful live virtual talk about starlings, one of the UK’s most gregarious birds, hosted by Rachel Dowse from The Royal Parks London.

Rachel examined our long history with this bird and the importance of common species to our lives. Our residents had the opportunity to find out more about the great murmuration and why we need to pay special attention to these beauties before it's too late.

The virtual experience was truly enjoyed by all.

Resident, Wilma Grassie at Strachan House had always wanted to ride in a fast car so staff at the home made her wish a reality. Strachan House has launched an exciting new project for 2023 called Gone Fishing.  Mandy Burgen Head of Wellbeing and Lifestyle explained “it’s important to recognise every individual’s achievements in life and celebrate them. We approached Rodger at Aston Martin Grange in Edinburgh and he was delighted to help. They provided the latest top of the range DBS Superleggera to take Wilma for that spin she always wanted”

Staff and residents at Barchester’s Strachan House care home, in Edinburgh celebrated bringing in the New Year in style when Big Ben struck midnight this New Year’s Eve.

Strachan House’s New Year’s Eve party was in full swing with a Scottish theme ceilidh party. With festive treats such as homemade shortbread made by our Head Chef Paul and the wee drams flowing it was certainly a great way to bring the New Year in. Residents enjoyed live music with a local accordion player and some good old fashion Scottish dancing.