Activities at Westergate House Care Home

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.” 

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.’

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.”

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."