Activities at Strachan House Care Home

We’re so proud of our home’s Therapet here at Strachan House, our much loved Rhum has qualified for his 10 year silver medal service award from Canine Concern Scotland.

Rhum is an eleven year old Gordon Setter and has been visiting us here at Strachan House for nearly all of those ten years. Rhum immediately gets excitable when his special lead comes out and he realises where he’s about to visit. As soon as his waggy tail comes bounding in through our doors here at Strachan House, he brings all the cheer in with him.

First stop is always to the office to collect his wages, paid in gravy bones and then it’s off to see the rest of his friends. With cuddles, love and comfort for everyone he greets, he’s such a special part of our home.

Our residents describe him as “our big friendly giant” and “elegant with such a cheeky personality”. He spreads so much joy and some of our residents have described how Rhum reminds them of their own one-time loyal friends and how Rhum’s company brings them nostalgic happy thoughts and smiles.

We’re all so delighted that we have a friend like Rhum and we’re just as fond of his Mum, Jocelyn and so grateful to her for taking the time out of her week to pop in and share her beautiful boy.

Strachan House celebrated Bristol's International Balloon Fiesta in their own unique way, with a splash of colour and a tea party to welcome the new manager of the home - Eileen Crawford.

 
Residents, relatives and staff all got involved in the spirit of the balloon fiesta and released over 100 colourful bio degradable balloons into the sky for a balloon race to begin. The address of the home was labeled on the balloons, alongside personalised messaged from staff and residents. 

Event the afternoon tea party had a balloon twist. Everyone had a great time. 

With summer in full swing, residents at Strachan House embrace a seasonal activity in the form of flower arranging. With a selection of colourful flowers residents enjoyed a sunny morning creating their displays in the home's beautiful lounge.

Getting creative with flowers is a popular activity among the residents and brings everyone together over a tea and biscuits, and good conversation.

Lynne, activities coordinator said 'Our flower arranging is very popular and we enjoy a little background music whilst creating our displays, it is such fun we don’t usually stop talking or laughing throughout.'

Residents of Strachan house celebrated Independence Day in true American style by hosting an American themed candy cart on Thursday 4th July. The home boasts a number of Residents and colleagues who have American connections at the home, and a lot of people that love American movies and singers.

Films from the Golden Age of Hollywood were lined up, as well as, playlists including Buddy Holly, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and we also had a quiz with fun facts about Independence Day. 

Residents and colleagues placed their bets, with tokens, on the horses and roll the dice to see which horse would be crowned winner, as they watched the sport of kings on television.

The ladies pulled out all the stops to impress during their own take on this quintessentially British highlight on the social calendar. With their top hats and fascinators, and even their therapy dog Rhum, all got involved in the spirit of the themed event, sharing fun facts about the races, creating their own horse jockey and naming horses.

It was an afternoon of great fun and the sound of laughter echoed around the home. All ladies, with a glass of Pimms in hand, felt like they were at the races.

We recently presented not-for-profit gym and wellness centre, Projekt 42, with a cheque for £1000 on behalf of Barchester's Charitable Foundation, to buy equipment stands to make it more accessible for older people using the facilities.

Staff and residents welcomed Projekt 42 for an afternoon tea and tour around Strachan House, and also for a tour of our Memory Lane community.

Projekt 42's senior fitness class has been incredibly popular since launching in January, and this new equipment will help even more older people access fitness classes at the wellness centre.

Strachan House has built up an excellent reputation within our local community, and we regularly host events and activities for residents and surrounding neighbours.

Staff are always keen to show as much support as they can to local charities. Projekt 42 do an amazing job of supporting older people to stay active, and Strachan House definitely shares those goals.