Activities at Westergate House Care Home

Residents at Westergate House Care Home in Fontwell, celebrated National Carers’ Week last week. Residents wanted to thank all the wonderful staff at the home, whose hard work and dedication make a real difference to the lives of those living in their care. Carers Week is an annual event to raise awareness of caring, highlighting the challenges carers face, and recognising the contribution they make to our residents, families and communities throughout the UK. The theme for Carers Week this year is ‘Making caring visible, valued and supported’ - to shine a light on all those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to care for vulnerable people in our communities. The week culminated in an ice cream van at the home where staff and residents enjoyed ice creams in the beautiful summer sunshine.  

Excitement has been running high at Westergate House Care Home 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.

Westergate House, Fontwell, were delighted when staff member, Rose Prince, who has worked at the home for two years, decided to base her final submission for her Foundation Diploma in Art & Design with UAL, on her experience as working as a Care Assistant in the dementia community. 

Rose, who takes a place at University Arts London in Chelsea this September, reflected on the needs of the residents at Westergate House and created a HUG by LAUGH lamb (a suggestion drawn from the Alzheimer’s Society website) which she adapted to the unique needs of the individuals she works with. Rose’s lamb, seen in the picture, is weighted and therefore provides a sensory ‘hug’ for the resident when held; there is a playlist entitled ‘Memory Lane’ with popular tunes taken from the 1950s onwards, a fragrant scent of lavender to provide relaxation and a sense of calm, as well as a heat pad to enhance the sensation of a hug.  Rose also made a sensory blanket with tactile objects attached to stimulate memories and senses, as well as a beautiful piped cushion decorated with characterful images based on her observations from working in the dementia community.

Coinciding with the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, International Nurses Day, is a day to celebrate nurses and care staff around the world. Residents and staff at Westergate House, were happy to get involved by hosting a much deserved celebration to mark the special day, where our nurses were presented with cards and gifts.

Westergate House marked the anniversary of VE Day in style by creating a day to remember with fun, music and reflection on a wealth of memories.  With songs by Vera Lynn and decorations of red, white and blue, the home had an air of excitement and pride.  Maddie, Deputy Manager, and the staff dressed up in their 1940s-inspired outfits and time was spent remembering and celebrating the end of the Second World War in Europe. 

We marked the Queen’s 96th birthday on April 21st by brewing up a storm for National Tea Day and having an afternoon tea party. Head chef Chris whipped up a tasty selection of freshly-baked biscuits, pastries and cakes for the occasion, all washed down with a selection of different teas. Residents took part in royal and tea-themed sessions including tea-tasting, where strawberry and pomegranate were the most popular, watching old clips of royal tours and occasions, and learning facts about tea growing and production.