Activities at The Fernes Care Home

Celebrations were in full swing at The Fernes, as resident, Marlene Long was joined by local MP, Suella Fernandes, for her birthday.

Marlene was the first person to move into the home when it opened in the summer and this was the first birthday party hosted at the new home. Her birthday was a very special occasion for everyone, especially as all the staff and residents at The Fernes love a good party!

The home was honoured to be joined by Suella Fernandes MP, who chatted to Marlene about how Fareham has changed over the years and what life was like at the Fernes.

The home’s Head Chef made a special cake for Marlene and, as she is a cat lover, it was fittingly decorated with a cat’s face in icing. Her guests and all her friends at The Fernes enjoyed afternoon tea.

Here at The Fernes, we are preparing for Remembrance Sunday and Armistice day. This year, we are taking part in the poppy appeal and I’m pleased to say that we have had a lot of donations for the Royal British Legion! Staff, residents and visitors are all welcome to make donations in exchange for pins, wristbands, stickers, keyrings and, of course, the original poppies. We are looking forward to heading to a local remembrance service on Sunday morning at Lee-on-The-Solent. If you would like more information about our trips or activities, please contact Kat, our lifestyle specialist.

On Monday 17th October, Sue Yorke from Music for Health popped in to get us moving and enjoying some of our favourite music.

To warm ourselves up, we used pom-pom sticks with bells on them to jingle in time with music; this was great and made us enthusiastic for the rest of the experience. We got to shake tambourines, maracas - and even ourselves - to music and enjoyed being able to dance and sing! Two ladies got up out of their chairs and rocked out to The Who’s hit, ‘Rocking all over the World’, with other residents and staff cheering them on.

We finished the experience with a little quiz, which residents aced! They loved reminiscing about old times, when they used to dance a lot, and their favourite music - and the experience really gave them a sense of happiness. It's safe to say that Sue will be returning to help us get our boogie on again and we can’t wait!

Residents at The Fernes have been enjoying our first adventures in the minibus! We visited our local church for their Sunday service - a church that received help from one of our ladies to make all of their hassocks! 2 days later, we visited Lee-on-the-Solent beach, stopping in at The Bluebird Café for a bite to eat and a hot drink to warm us up from the cold but refreshing winds. We also went to the Abbey Garden Centre, just down the road from our home. There, the ladies looked at all the tropical and marine fish, even getting to feed the massive Koi Carp. We shopped around the Garden centre, looking at all the lovely plants and talking about our gardens, before stopping for a quick cuppa and some cake. After we had relaxed a little, we went to buy our very first Christmas decorations for the home. We decided to work together and pick out one to take back and put on our tree when we put it up in December. After finding loads of things that we like, we had to whittle it down, but couldn’t decide between the last two and ended up buying both! We all got very excited for Christmas, especially with it being our very first at The Fernes. Our minibus allows the ladies and gents to get out and about in the local community - something which puts a smile on their faces and a spring in their step!

We enjoyed our first Halloween celebrations in the home! We had a party after our lunch, which included Halloween cakes and sweets, as well as making chocolate-coated apples, and an apple bobbing race between staff members. Brodie won by getting all 4 apples out of the bowl in 15 seconds! The residents chose who they thought might win and then started counting us down from 30 seconds, cheering us on all the way. We then attempted an Arrow Words puzzle as a group, but it defeated us and we retreated to the lounge to watch the Halloween-inspired film, A Series of Unfortunate Events.

With October now over, it’s now time to focus on Christmas and everyone here is very excited to get geared up and decorate the home for the festive season! We can’t wait to share our experiences with you. Why not pop along and check out our decorating skills as we prepare for our Christmas Fayre on December 3rd at 1.30-4pm. We look forward to seeing you there!

On 21st September, we held a special event for staff, residents, relatives and guest to celebrate our official opening.

The Chairman of Hampshire County Council, Cllr Keith Chapman MBE attended the event as did The Mayor Cllr Mrs Connie Hockley and The Mayor’s Consort Cllr Geoff Hockley.

Pupils from Orchard Lea Junior School kick-started the celebrations by singing a selection of songs, which were enjoyed by everyone. Following their performance, the home’s General Manager, Catherine Bezer gave a welcome speech in which she spoke of her hopes for the home as it begins to welcome more staff and residents.

Speeches were then given by the Chief Executive of Barchester Healthcare Dr Pete Calveley and Barchester’s Chairman of the Board, John Coleman. The Mayor of Fareham also addressed the guests and shared her thoughts on the stunning new home.

Local hero, John Stephens was then invited to unveil the official plaque. John, known to his friends as Jonno, used to serve in the Royal Navy and now works as a civilian at HMS Collingwood in Fareham. He was nominated to be the home’s local hero for the support he gives to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity. He gives up a huge amount of his spare time to organise fundraising collections for the charity and has raised over £6,000 in total.

Staff conducted tours of the purpose built home, showing guests around the bedrooms and communal spaces, as well as facilities such as the hair salon and specialised features in the Memory Lane Community for people living with dementia.

Meanwhile, people were treated to delicious canapés prepared by the home’s Head Chef and entertainment from harpist, Audrey Cameron Finnemore.

It was great day that was enjoyed by all!