Activities at Westergate House Care Home

Westergate House are so proud to announce that we have not one but two Divisional Winner’s in this year’s Barchester Care Awards. A testament to the high staffing standards here at Westergate House

Laura Guidici has been crowned Community Engagement Champion for the South Division and Annie Kellett is his years Volunteer of the Year in the 2022 Barchester Care Awards and is through to the national round of judging tomorrow.

More than 2,950 nominations were received from all Barchester homes and hospitals across the UK. All entries were a very high standard and Laura and Annie are both over the moon to have been named the winner for the division, beating hundreds of other nominees.

Our divisional winner’s Laura and Annie are through to the national finals in which the overall winner is decided.  r.

Westergate House recently presented the Men’s Shed Project in Petworth with a cheque for £1500 to help with the purchase of tools, supplies and equipment.  As part of the Petworth Community Garden Project, the charity works hard to support low-income locals to grow organic fruit and vegetables.  The aim is to promote healthy lifestyles, to represent the community, and to celebrate peoples’ abilities.

The grant had been awarded by Barchester’s Charitable Foundation, a charity that helps older people and adults with a disability or mental health problems across England, Scotland and Wales by offering funds to help people connect or re-connect with others in their local community.

Annie Kellett at Westergate House in Fontwell has been Volunteer of the Year for the South division in the Barchester Care Awards 2022 and is through to the national round of judging.

The Barchester Care Awards celebrate the staff who go the extra mile for the benefit of the 12,000 residents living in Barchester’s 248 care homes and private hospitals across the country. Categories range from ‘Registered Nurse of the Year’ and ‘Carer of the Year’ to ‘Dementia Care Champion’ and ‘Activities Coordinator of the Year’.

More than 2,950 nominations were received from homes and hospitals across the UK. All entries were a very high standard and Annie is over the moon to have been named the winner for the South division beating hundreds of other nominees.

Annie said: “I was so surprised.  I have been visiting Westergate House for the last ten years and love catching up with the residents.  Westergate House is a second home to me.”

As the winner for the South division, Annie, is through to the national finals in which the overall winner is decided.  They will join winners from across the UK at a special awards event in October to celebrate their outstanding achievements and discover if they have won a national award.

Celebrations have been in full swing at Westergate House as one of its Memory Lane residents Joan reaches her 102nd Birthday in style. Joan was joined by staff, family and other residents as she received a beautiful bouquet of flowers, cards and her favourite sweet biscuits, in recognition of her landmark birthday. Joan enjoyed a special birthday cake made by the home’s chef Chris. Joan worked many years as a nurse in the Army before coming to Westergate House, where she is enjoying a new chapter of her life. The birthday girl, said: ‘Is all this fuss for me, you are all lovely thank you’

The Westergate House community engagement team visited the Chestnuts Community centre last week for a coffee morning. The care home, which is based in Westergate, were welcomed by Katie Chadwick team who run the day community centre for local people living with dementia and learning disabilities. A hub greeted Kay Vevers, lifestyles lead, and Laura Giudici, team leader of Westergate House and over coffee and homemade cake, conversation centred round future opportunities to engage the home’s residents with visitors to the centre and plans for other future events.

The Westergate House community engagement team reconnected with friends old and new at the Chestnuts Community Coffee morning last week.  It was a bright sunny morning and the doors of the centre were opened by Katie Chadwick and her warm and welcoming team who run the day community centre for local people living with dementia and learning disabilities.  Such a delightful hub greeted Kay Vevers, Lifestyles Lead, and Laura Giudici, Team Leader, Westergate House, Fontwell and conversation centred round future opportunities to engage the home’s residents with visitors to the centre.  Over coffee and delicious homemade cake, plans were made for future events.