Activities at Waterside Court Care Home

‘Tracy’ the therapy donkey visited Waterside Court and our residents loved it!

Did you know that therapy donkeys can help people cope with the emotional and psychological challenges of everyday life?

Tracy is 30 years old, and lives at the local donkey sanctuary in Wallingford Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary She’s a very calm, and friendly donkey, happy to be stroked and receive lots of cuddles as she wondered around our gardens, and through the home, in and out of bedrooms, and even the lift!

Our residents asked so many questions; well it’s not every day you get to meet a donkey on your room!

We look forward to taking a trip to the sanctuary to meet all of Tracy’s fellow donkeys and the other animals they care for; such as sheep, goats, chickens, geese and ducks.

Staff and residents had a fantastic time celebrating World Chocolate Day on July 7, surely one of the best days of the year!

Philippa and Lucia the activities coordinators whipped up a selection of fruits and treats to be dipped into the warming chocolate fountain. Some residents had never experienced a chocolate fountain and one said ‘she could just keep going on and on, eating more! another said' it was naughty but nice'! Every resident as you can imagine took part.

Yesterday afternoon residents were captivated with the voice of Emily Yarrow

We took advantage of the glorious weather whilst getting some vitamin D in the front garden. Resident Ambassador Pearl as always was the first on her feet whilst other residents sat and tapped their toes or clapped along to the beat.

Year 5 class visit us.

There was smiles all round as a class of year 5 children entered Waterside Court.

Over the past few weeks we have been working together with St john’ Primary school.

Last week residents joined the children in the lounge to listen to a few songs from their end of year performance. The children also sat and spoke with residents about their residential trip. It was so lovely to watch and listen to their conversation. We look for to the new school year when we welcome the children back.

Class teacher Sam Colbourne said “The children had THE BEST TIME and loved telling the other classes about it when they got back to school. One of the children was really touched by Connor and loved talking to him - she is so full of the fact that he loved Swallows and Amazons now too which may well have sparked a reading interest for her too which would be AMAZING!”

We are welcoming new residents for respite short breaks or longer term stays. If you are, or a loved one are considering later life care and wish to join a community full of life, please call the Waterside team on 01491 455 602 to book a show round or meet our manager, to find out more please visit www.barchester.com/home/waterside-court-care-home

Today's celebrations were in full swing at Waterside Court, as the lovely Jean celebrated her 101st birthday!

Jean has been celebrating her birthday today with her fellow residents and staff along with friends and relatives. We all made the most of the glorious weather with fizz and cake in our wonderful garden area.

Happy birthday Jean!

Our residents and staff were delighted to host many family, friends and members of the local community to join them to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on Saturday 4th June. We love a garden party at Waterside Court and this year the home wanted to go bigger and better to celebrate our queen’s 70 years reign.

In the week leading up to the big event, everyone got busy making decorations to make sure the home and garden looked their absolute best. It was red, white and blue inside and out. The afternoon was a huge success with a bucks fizz on arrival before chef and the hospitality team sparked up the BBQ, serving freshly grilled, locally sourced burgers and sausages.

Our guests were entertained with live music courtesy of ‘Lorna James’ the sensational Jazz, Swing and Soul singer. We finished the event with a scrumptious afternoon tea for a queen! With home-baked cupcakes and finger sandwiches of all varieties.

Home manager; Maraya said: “We’ve all had such a brilliant time celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, it has been such fun. Our staff and residents love the Queen and so they were all so excited to take part in the weekend’s celebrations. It has been a real collaborative process - thinking about how we wanted to celebrate, planning our activities and decorating the home. It was so lovely to be able to invite our friends and family to come and join us for a proper celebration too.”

Pearl, our resident ambassador said: “The Queen is an amazing lady, everyone wanted to get involved in the celebrations. It is remarkable to think she has been on the throne for 70 years, such an achievement! We have had lots of fun remembering her previous jubilee street parties.”