Activities at Westergate House Care Home

Christmas was celebrated in style at Westergate House this year.  The festive spirit started with the annual panto where staff entertained residents when they performed a traditional version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  General Manager, Paul Middleton-Russell thrilled all with his marvellous rendition as the Wicked Queen. 

Further entertainment was enjoyed by visiting musical entertainers Ricky Zalez, and then later in the month of December, Alice Mayhead.  Wonderful Christmassy tunes were enjoyed by all and we found ourselves singing along merrily.  Christmas movies, a party on Christmas Eve, and then a wonderful feast on Christmas Day contributed to the festive events. 

Head Chef, Chris, prepared a sumptuous lunch that was set on tables decorated in seasonal ornaments.  Everyone agreed that Christmas had been an enjoyable time - and there were plenty of pictures that captured the happy moments.

It was panto time at Westergate House last week.  The staff polished their acting skills and put on a performance of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs for the residents.  After rehearsals and costume fittings, General Manager, Paul Middleton-Russell led the cast as the Wicked Queen.  His presence was quite scary and the residents and staff were left in awe at his natural acting skills!  Snow White, played by Care Assistant Eloise Page, was rescued gallantly from the Queen’s nasty clutches by Rose Prince, another Care Assistant at the home.  The dwarves were a delight.  An array of shapes and sizes in colourful costume singing Heigh Ho whenever it was their turn to take to the stage.  The production was shown in each of the three communities and was greeted with enthusiasm and delight.

Paul Middleton-Russell commented: “We have had such fun this afternoon.  It was wonderful to entertain our residents with some traditional and festive fun.”

It was a special day for one of our residents at Westergate House last Thursday when the Nutcracker Ballet was live-streamed through Barchester's virtual events activity programme. The lady lives on our Memory Lane community and when she arrived at Westergate House we were delighted to learn of her wonderful past working as a ballerina. As a young child, her family encouraged her to join a prestigious ballet school where she gained insight into a world of glamour, romance and dedication to the art.

Watching the Nutcracker with the lady was a wonderful experience; she was completely absorbed by the production. Julie the Activities Coordinator commented: "This has been a super activity. Our resident was clearly moved by the performance and chatted happily about the ballet. I felt so honored to support her with such a meaningful event."

Friday was a day of fun and antics at Westergate House care home, Fontwell, when impish elves suddenly appeared from nowhere!  Staff and residents at the home took part in the enjoyable national event to inspire everyone to get into the festive spirit while raising awareness for the Alzheimer's Society and those whose lives are affected by dementia.

Kay, the Activities Lead, decorated the home and arranged fun and games for the day.  With high jinks, jokes and treats, the residents found the staff's behaviour engaging and entertaining.  There were elves everywhere - on the front desk, in the office and the kitchen.  Out in the community, a Westergate House elf was spotted delivering mince pies to local surgeries and pharmacies.

General Manager, Paul Middleton-Russell, commented, "We have had so much fun here today at Westergate House.  It's a super way to start the Christmas celebrations, and to say thank you to our local community for their support throughout the year."

Westergate House was delighted to welcome three students from Chichester College last week for a two week work placement as part of their curriculum at Chichester College. The three students are studying Level 3 Health & Social Care and chose Westergate House, Fontwell, to gain practical experience in the field of care. Each of the students is working in one of the three communities at the home and has been enjoying taking part in daily activities. Seen here in the pictures, there have been pamper sessions, art and crafts and trips down memory lane. The students have had the opportunity to support residents engage with favourite pastimes, listen to stories, and learn the needs of older people and residents living with dementia.

It was a beautiful crisp evening with an air of excitement when residents, relatives and staff at Westergate House in Fontwell gathered together to enjoy a spectacular fireworks display.  The aroma of hot chocolate, marshmallows, hotdogs and onions prepared by Chef Chris tempted us all as Roger and Marc lit the amazing fireworks that filled the sky with a spectrum of colour. Children tucked into Chris’ homemade toffee apples and sweet treats as they watched the display in wonder.