Activities at Westergate House Care Home

It was a super start to the week at Westergate House.  Our General Manager, Paul Middleton-Russell, and Deputy Manager, Maddie Murtagh, celebrated National Carers Week 2021, with the staff.  Goodie bags were handed out to all and a special message of thanks was conveyed from CEO Pete Calveley. 

Following several months of hard work and focus to get through tough times, it was fabulous to take the time to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of our wonderful staff.  The theme of Carers Week this year is to Make Caring Visible and Valued.  We have no hesitation in praising our staff for their very visible compassion and dedication, and we certainly want each and every one of them to know that they are truly valued.

It was time to make a fuss of our dear resident Angela Waller.  Angela arrived at Westergate House two months ago and has settled into her new home.  She is a delight to be around and regales wonderful stories of her career as an air hostess in the 1950s and 1960s when the role was glamourous and exciting.  We were thrilled to learn Angela had written two books.  ‘The Snows of Yorkshire’ was written when Angela’s husband retired and they returned to the UK after thirty years of living abroad.  The book tells the tale of a family living in a country manor in Yorkshire.  She describes the story as her ‘love letter to England’.

Angela’s second book ‘Before There Were Trolley Dollies’ was published in 2009 and this has caught the imagination of everyone here at Westergate House.  A non-fiction, the book recounts Angela’s life as an air hostess, at a time when passenger flying was very different to now.  Only those who could afford the luxury were able to fly and the package holiday was yet to be invented.  Flights were only during the day and with routes to Nairobi, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Ghana, overnight stops were necessary, where crew and passengers stayed in hotels along the route.  The book is a magical mix of Angela’s experiences, from the funny to the hapless.  We learned that Angela had been given a signed menu from Sean Connery, an unknown actor at the time, with the words ‘I love you Miss Austin’.  We understand Angela still keeps the menu!

With so many lovely stories to share, we wanted to celebrate Angela’s life and success as an author.  A presentation afternoon was organised with celebratory drinks and canapes.  We gave Angela a copy of her book, a recent print that has a picture of Angela in her uniform on the front cover.  Angela was delighted.  An afternoon was spent reminiscing the tales; we were caught up in the glamour and romance.  Oh to be taking to the skies in the 1950s!

Westergate House in Fontwell marked the anniversary of VE Day in style by creating a day to remember on Saturday.  With songs by Vera Lynn and decorations of red, white and blue, the home had an air of merriment and excitement.  Staff dressed up in their 1940s-inspired glad rags and time was spent reflecting and celebrating the end of the Second World War in Europe. 

Kay, the Activities Co-ordinator arranged a delightful agenda of events for the day to ensure everyone had a good time.  A traditional church service started the day and the national two minute silence as observed.  We listened to Churchill’s iconic speech and reminisced about memories of VE Day.  Video clips of the celebrations that took place outside Buckingham Palace and all across London were also shown.

Westergate House joined in the Barchester Live Event on Tuesday 11th May and were treated to a day of healthy experiences.  We took part in the Green Goddess’ exercise and yoga class in the morning which left us feeling revitalised and relaxed.  This was followed by an afternoon of cookery demonstrations and food-tasting.  There was a range of delightful recipes prepared – and all so delightfully healthy!  On the menu, Borlotti Bean and Dill Pate, served with crackers, Greek Fritters with Tzatziki, Coronation ‘Chicken’, made from Quorn, in a puff pastry case and beautiful banana bread.  Felicity, one of our residents in the House, can be seen here enjoying the occasion.  We complemented the delectable delights with a glass of chilled prosecco and convinced ourselves this was the healthy thing to do!

Thursday was a special day.  We invited our residents to travel with us to Dubai from the comfort of the armchair.  What a voyage!  Kay and Julie, part of the Activities team, created a middle-eastern experience for all through music, virtual travel and traditional foods.  Chef Konnie made an authentic Machboos Chicken dish served with rice for lunch.  Staff who have lived in the United Arab Emirates brought objets and travel books to show the beauty and opulence of the country.  Anwar can be seen here in traditional dress.  He was delighted to explain the traditions of Ramadan and the celebration Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan).  He wished us all a ‘Eid Mobarak - Happy Eid’ to celebrate the day.

With National Vegetarian Week in mind, Westergate House was treated to a range of healthy smoothies prepared by our manager, Paul Middleton-Russell.  We weren’t disappointed!  Paul talked us through his recipes step-by-step and explained the benefits of each carefully-chosen ingredient.  He let it be known that for several years he had been consuming the beverages and was a firm believer that his health and wellbeing benefitted from the nutritious componentsSmoothie Sensation at Westergate House