Activities at Westergate House Care Home
Our activities team are great at building the activities programme around the likes and interests of the people we care for. Ensuring that our social events offer fun and adventure is part of the ethos of our home; it’s important that those we support can enjoy an active and social lifestyle. Of course, there will always be those who prefer peace and quiet, and in these instances, a cup of tea and a chat are always welcomed.
Lee Austin
My name is Lee and I am the Head of Lifestyle here at Westergate House.
I support our residents daily to do the things they enjoy and it is extremely important to me that we are offering a premium and person centred service to each resident. I support our residents on a daily basis by providing meaningful and quality activities either in groups or on a 1:1 basis, to help encourage and build confidence while creating an enjoyable environment for everyone. Westergate House is the home of our residents, we as staff are working in it, so it is extremely important to me that we are respectful of that, while offering a premium and person centred service to each and every resident.
I am a trained actor and professional vocalist and not shy in making a fool of myself. If I do that every day to put a smile on our residents faces then I’m happy I have played my part, along with the rest of the amazing team, to brightening their day. If you hear someone singing along the corridor or see them dancing in the lounges, it will probably be me.
Read our brochure 'Life-enriching activities' for more information about life in our care homes.
Read our brochure
Activities and Events Partnerships
As part of our bespoke life-enrichment programmes, we host a number of live virtual events in the home on a regular basis through a number of partnerships with places of interest and world class performance companies
Life at Westergate House Care Home
Aid Collection for Ukraine
Westergate House are proud to be supporting Aid Collection for Ukraine. Staff, residents, relative and friends of the care home acted fast to gather supplies, and a financial donation of £500 towards the cause. Thank you everyone who has contributed.
Valentine's Day at Westergate House
The home was filled with flowers, cards and sweets in celebration of St Valentine’s Day last week.
Staff and residents celebrated the day of love with a beautiful lunch prepared by Chef, Chris. The dining room was a picture; roses and heart confetti decorated the tables and glasses of fizz were poured. During the afternoon, the ballet Romeo and Juliet was shown, while the residents enjoyed a traditional cream tea. Michael and Judith can be seen in the picture sharing a special moment.
General Manager, Paul Middleton-Russelll, said: “We’ve all had a lovely day decorating the home and making gifts for each other and for our loved ones. Lots of our residents were able to see their loved ones either in person or via video call. We’ve had a whole range of treats and Valentine’s themed fun and we have enjoyed every moment of it!”
Burns celebrations
Robert Burns’ birthday was cause for celebration at Westergate House, Fontwell, on the 25th January. Residents and staff marked the occasion with decorations of tartan table cloths and bunting throughout the three communities, and the Scottish theme served as a backdrop for a tribute to the 18th century poet and lyricist. Chef Chris prepared a sumptuous lunch of Cullen Skink soup, Haggis, Tatties and Neeps, Cranachan for dessert and a dram of whisky to complement the meal. Kay, the Activities Lead, recited the Burns’ Address to a Haggis during the meal and a toast was made to the famous Bard of Ayrshire.
During the afternoon LouLou Morris of the Anna Chaplaincy, made her weekly visit to the home for a Friendship Group and played traditional Celtic music and read Burns’ poetry.
Resident Angela commented: “This has been wonderful. I absolutely loved the haggis and all the decorations.“ General Manager Paul Middleton-Russell added: “Burns Night is always a fantastic event at Westergate House, it’s so important to continue these traditions. Our residents really enjoyed the hearty meal, and we enjoyed discovering how much we knew about Scotland in our brilliant Scottish quiz.”
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year was celebrated in style at Westergate House. Staff and residents welcomed in the Year of the Tiger with a day of celebrations and activities.
Inspired by Chinese culture and traditions, fortune cookies were exchanged and the home was decorated with hanging red lanterns. Staff dressed in traditional qipao-style robes in a delightful array of colours. Residents learnt all about the traditions and superstitions of the Chinese New Year and Head Chef Chris cooked up an oriental feast for lunch.
General Manager, Paul Middleton-Russell, 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 are, the associated traits and reading each other’s horoscopes.”
Angela resident at Westergate House said: “I loved the music, the vibrant costumes and learning about the Chinese Zodiac animal traits. A person born in the Year of the Tiger is said to be fiery, passionate, daring and fearless. The Chinese buffet was absolutely delicious.”
Smile and Sway
Exercise and having fun was on the weekly calendar at Westergate House, when Activities Lead, Kay Vevers, introduced a new and energising activity class. ‘Smile and Sway’ is infectious to say the least; Ballroom and Latin American dance music is the backdrop for a seated exercise that ensures mobility is improved and enjoyment guaranteed. Everyone agreed that is was a super way to start the day, to stretch out muscles and to have fun enjoying each other’s company. Kay explained the benefits of keeping mobile and agile, and how exercise also raises spirits and contributes to a sense of well-being.
Resident Beryl commented: ‘This has been super fun. I’ve really enjoyed the music; so uplifting.’
Westergate House Residents have an Epiphany
We celebrated Three Kings Day, or Epiphany, in style by taking part in a church service led by the Anna Chaplaincy followed by a tea party with pastries and treats.
Epithany, or Twelfth Night, marks the day that the three Kings arrived at Jesus’ birthplace bearing gifts for the new infant. Epithany means reveal, the day that Jesus was revealed to the world. Twelfth Night is twelve days after the birth of Jesus on December 25, this is how long it is said to have taken the three Kings to travel to find baby Jesus.
General Manager, Paul Middleton-Russell, said: “Epiphany is a very special day in the Christian calendar and a brilliant way to brighten up the first week of January when everyone is feeling a little flat. Our head chef, Chris, made some delicious pastries for us to share and we exchanged some small gifts to mark the ones the Magi brought for Jesus. It was a lovely way to lift our spirits and have a little celebration.
June resident at Westergate House said: “I’ve really enjoyed celebrating Epiphany and the regular visits from the Anna Chaplaincy. They really brighten the week.”
