Activities at Westergate House Care Home

The sun shone and we were thrilled to get out into the gardens and enjoy the lovely weather.  T42 entertained everyone with delightful tunes, and ot wasn’t long before residents, relatives and staff were singing along. 

Abigail from the Aldingbourne Trust ran a tombola which was very popular. A super tea laid on by our chefs was enjoyed with a glass of fizz.

Donations of non-perishable items will be given to the Anna Chaplaincy church group for local distribution.

The afternoon drew to a close with the staff getting together and singing a few harvest-themed tunes.

There was a delightful twist to World Heart Day at Westergate House: our activities team came up with the idea of hanging cheery red hearts on a memory tree on the Memory Lane Community. 

Residents living with dementia decorated red hearts, and Julie asked them about special memories.

This reminiscence activity had everyone chatting and the memories were written on to the decorated hearts. It wasn’t long before the branches of the tree displayed an array of colour, representing special times.

Staff and residents at Westergate House held a charity cake and bake sale in their garden on 24th September to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

It was the perfect chance to catch up with relatives and friends and buy a slice of something delicious for a great cause. Julie, our Activities Assistant, did a fabulous job serving the delightful cakes and treats. The money raised helps everyone with cancer to live life as fully as they can.

Residents enjoyed spending time with their loved ones and members of the local community.  Head chef, Chris, had baked lots of lovely cakes and pastries for everyone to sample and for guests to buy to take home. Staff joined in and added their creations to the stall; everyone was spoilt for choice!

As part of the Barchester virtual events that have taken place throughout the last eighteen months, and to mark National Photography Day, residents at Westergate House were treated to a live photography masterclass with top professional photographer, Damian Bailey. 

We were guided through different photography techniques and compositions, and tips were shared on how to create special moments captured in a photograph. 

Following the event, we were invited to enter a photography competition, which caught the imagination of staff and residents here at Westergate House.

We were keen to enter snapshots of serene sunsets and other unusual examples of light creating magical effects for the competition, which pitches us against care homes throughout the country. Entries can be seen in the pictures.

we were pleased to make a visit to Sage House Dementia Hub, Tangmere, following a fund raising event at their garden party.  

A raffle raised the sum of £166 and it was a pleasure to hand over the proceeds in support of the well-being and to improve the experience of local people living with dementia.

We understand the complexities of dementia and how unique the experience can be for every individual and recognise the facilities and services offered by Sage House as a fabulous resource for our local community.

Staff, residents, relatives and the local community came together to enjoy a summer garden party held in the home’s grounds. The grey skies did not deter the sunny atmosphere, and everyone made the most of an afternoon of entertainment, delightful refreshments and wonderful company.

Westergate House opened its garden gates at 1.30pm and the next few hours were spent enjoying the music of Ricky Zalez. Tunes from the decades had us dancing and singing along. It was a trip down memory lane and a chance for everyone to relax and enjoy a summer celebration.

Kay, our Activities Coordinator, hosted a fabulous raffle which was enjoyed by everyone who came to the event.  Proceeds were donated to Sage House Dementia Hub.  Residents June and Wendy, seen here in the picture, lent a hand preparing the raffle tickets.  Thank you to everyone who donated prizes.

Staff at Westergate House made everyone feel welcome and were delighted to see different generations having fun together. Visitors enjoyed plenty of refreshments prepared by Chef Chris.  There was a fabulous array of sandwiches, cakes and pastries including fresh fruit tarts, chocolate eclairs, Victoria sandwich cake, macaroons and strawberries and cream. A bar offered a range of beverages and tea and coffee were in plentiful supply.