Activities at Westergate House Care Home
Our activities team are great at building the activities programme around the likes and interests of the people we care for. Ensuring that our social events offer fun and adventure is part of the ethos of our home; it’s important that those we support can enjoy an active and social lifestyle. Of course, there will always be those who prefer peace and quiet, and in these instances, a cup of tea and a chat are always welcomed.
Lee Austin
My name is Lee and I am the Head of Lifestyle here at Westergate House.
I support our residents daily to do the things they enjoy and it is extremely important to me that we are offering a premium and person centred service to each resident. I support our residents on a daily basis by providing meaningful and quality activities either in groups or on a 1:1 basis, to help encourage and build confidence while creating an enjoyable environment for everyone. Westergate House is the home of our residents, we as staff are working in it, so it is extremely important to me that we are respectful of that, while offering a premium and person centred service to each and every resident.
I am a trained actor and professional vocalist and not shy in making a fool of myself. If I do that every day to put a smile on our residents faces then I’m happy I have played my part, along with the rest of the amazing team, to brightening their day. If you hear someone singing along the corridor or see them dancing in the lounges, it will probably be me.
Read our brochure 'Life-enriching activities' for more information about life in our care homes.
Read our brochure
Activities and Events Partnerships
As part of our bespoke life-enrichment programmes, we host a number of live virtual events in the home on a regular basis through a number of partnerships with places of interest and world class performance companies
Life at Westergate House Care Home
Postcard Initiative
As part of Barchester's Just a Note to Say postcard initiative, Elizabeth enjoyed writing to her family and asking about her dog. This is just one way that Westergate House is continuing to keep relatives and friends in communication with each other during these unprecedented times.
Our residents sent many postcards and are eagerly awaiting replies.
Virtual Reality Goggles
The residents at Westergate House enjoyed an interesting and fun afternoon whilst testing out our new Virtual Reality Goggles. Ronald, one of the residents, said that the experience of virtual scuba diving on the Coral Reef and watching all the sea life swim by was simply amazing.
The goggles brought a little bit of the ‘Jacques Cousteau’ out in all of us!
International Nurses Day
The 12th May 2020 marks International Nurses Day and is an opportunity to recognise the important work and dedication of nurses everywhere, who often go above and beyond the call of duty as these current times of crisis have proved.
To commemorate the day, the residents and staff at Westergate House marked the occasion with afternoon bubbly and traditional Victoria sponge cake for all.
Dennis Mounstephen, who lives at Westergate House, gave a moving tribute and toasted our lovely nurses on the day. Dennis reminisced that he himself had his first flavour of the nursing life as a young man who courted and went on to marry a nurse himself.
Coming from a family filled with medical professionals including an array of nurses, Dennis explained that he understands the hard work and dedication it takes to fulfill the role. He went on to specifically thank the nurses at Westergate, calling them ‘guardian angels’.
75th Anniversary VE Day
To commemorate this poignant and important anniversary at Westergate House, the communities were decked out with Union Jack bunting, 1940’s music played and afternoon Pimms was served. The day was completed with a High Tea served on our fine bone china in our dining rooms. Food included traditional British fayre including delicate sandwiches, sausage rolls, cheese straws, cakes and scones galore.
Resident veteran Winifred Vaughn, who served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service during World War II commented ‘It is important that we remember those who served during the war – times were hard and everyone had to work together. As we know many sacrificed their lives during this time and on VE Day we get the chance to pay tribute to them. I remember that we were all so relieved and overjoyed when it all ended’.
Supporting the Sea Cadets
Westergate House continues to support the Bognor Regis & District Sea Cadets, and has gladly sent a contribution towards their costs, which will help support them through the current challenges.
LT Gary Edgington MBE, the Officer in charge of the Cadet Unit, said: ‘It is acts of kindness like this that make our life a lot more cheerful. We miss our visits to the residents and look forward to once again being able to support you with cadets’ and ceremonies. Thank you!’
Mother's Day
Mothering Sunday was a quieter affair this year; there were plenty of flowers and cards, a delicious three course Sunday roast with all the trimmings, and a few glasses of sherry, as usual.
With the use of modern technology at our fingertips, relatives were able to Skype or FaceTime their loved ones throughout the day, ensuring our residents were able to celebrate Mothering Sunday with their families.
Upcoming events
Countdown to Christmas
Counting down the days to Christmas with a fun filled month ahead and we extend a warm invitation for you to join us as we get into the festive spirit. Merry Christmas!
Countdown to Christmas
Take a look at all of the wonderful festive events and activities throughout December. Please feel free to join our celebrations. Contacts us for more information.
