Activities at Westergate House Care Home

Perfectly timed in the middle of a heatwave, staff and residents at Westergate House in Fontwell had a fantastic time celebrating National Ice Cream Day on July 17, a brilliant excuse to sample lots of cooling treats, and the very best way to enjoy the sizzling summer temperatures. Overseen by head chef Chris, staff and residents experimented with many different types of toppings and flavour combinations, from the exotic, to the alcoholic, and back to the traditional – sorbets, frozen yoghurt and good old dairy-based ice cream, they tasted and savoured them all.

The fifties were in full swing at Westergate House care home, Fontwell, on Friday, when a ‘Dreamboats and Petticoats’ afternoon had everyone singing and swaying to 1950s music. An array of colour met the eye with vintage and rockabilly dress, and the back drop included decorations reminiscent of a 1950s American diner. Jodie Shemmans delighted residents and staff with tunes from the decade, including hits by Connie Francis, Buddy Holly and Patsy Kline. Ice creams, sundaes and cola floats, prepared by Head Chef Chris added to the atmosphere, and everyone was caught up in the fun of the era. Resident Ann commented “This is wonderful; I’ve had such a super time. The music really takes me back.”

Residents and staff at Westergate House are enjoying weekly community coffee mornings every Friday. It’s a chance for residents, their families, and friends from the local neighbourhood to have a catch-up over cappuccino and pastries and get together as a community. With bistro coffees and teas, and croissants made by Head Chef Chris, the event is growing in popularity as residents enjoy the company of visitors to the home. Resident June said: “This is so lovely.  It’s a chance for everyone to get together at the end of the week and have a proper natter.”

During the week there was reminiscence about seaside fun and summer holidays.  Residents spent time creating seashore rummage boxes that triggered wonderful memories of family getaways and spending time at the beach as children; ice-creams were enjoyed and pictures of traditional family days out were shared.  Singer, Mitchell Armstrong, entertained staff and residents with tunes from decades past, and the week culminated in a dementia café tea party where residents and their families enjoyed a fabulous high tea in the dementia community.

Excitement has been running high at Westergate House Care Home in Fontwell where residents and staff have been busy making Jubilee-themed decorations and whipping up a storm of red mocktails and celebratory cakes with the help of head chef Chris in preparation for the Jubilee. Staff and residents at the home put their heads together and came up with a plan for their celebrations fit for a Queen.  Over the bank holiday weekend the home held a Pimms and strawberries afternoon, coverage of the televised events, a royal quiz, a garden party with musical entertainment and a carvery lunch. The whole home came together to celebrate our longest reigning monarch and reminisce about what she means to each and every one of us.

A beautiful sunny day provided the perfect back-drop for the display of 200 steel forget-me-nots, a sculpture created to celebrate the memory of those who were lost. Local people were invited to join the event to reflect and remember loved ones; poems, passages and memories were shared, and copies of special words were gathered by Martha Pusey and her team for publication in a book of remembrance.