Activities at Westergate House Care Home

It was a beautiful sunny afternoon on Saturday 26th June and Westergate House were delighted to commemorate the service men and women of Britain with a garden party for Armed Forces Day.  With events happening all over the country, it was lovely to feel part of the celebration; acknowledging the work of the UK Armed Forces who, throughout the year, defend the UK and its interests around the world by delivering aid, promoting peace and providing security. 

Westergate House did it in style.  Residents from the dementia communities joined the party with the staff and enjoyed a cream tea in the grounds.  Singer, Alice Mayhead, created the perfect atmosphere with well-known tunes from the 1940s and 1950s.  It was a trip down memory lane for us all.

General Manger, Paul Middleton-Russell, said “This afternoon has been an absolute delight for our residents at Westergate House.  We have all joined in singing songs from decades gone by, and it has been lovely to see our residents taking part in such a super occasion.”

The rain didn't dampen enthusiasm last Friday when Westergate House took a stall at the farmer's market in the centre of Chichester.  Keen to enjoy the company of passers-by, Kay and Laura brightened the stall with Barchester balloons and Westergate House banners.  It was a fabulous day.  Lovely to be out in the neighbourhood!  Chichester locals were interested to hear about the Manager's Open Day, this coming Saturday, and one of the summer's main events, our Antiques Valuation Afternoon Thursday 29th July.  General Manager, Paul Middleton-Russell, spent time manning the stall and taking part in the delightful community day.  We are looking forward to returning to the market on the 16th July.  See you there

With beautiful sunshine for a trip out, General Manager Paul Middleton-Russell, drove to Elmer to establish a connection with PRN Care.  Following a time where all care services have been affected by the pandemic, we feel it is important to share resources and connect with the local community.  Paul met with Jo and Peter Whiteley of PRN Care, a family run business established in 2007.  Goodie bags from Westergate House were given to the staff to celebrate Carers Week, and we discussed ways in which we can support one another.  It was super meeting Jo and Peter as local care providers in the community and to know that our connection can enhance service provision

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.