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
Magda's 100th Birthday
We celebrated Magda’s 100th birthday at Westergate House with a Wimbledon-themed day. It was an amazing occasion with loads of fun, laughter and a few tears.
We had a lovely buffet lunch provided by the fantastic chefs, followed by superb entertainment from Mitchell Armstrong; his voice got many dancing and also made Magda’s day very special.
The day was concluded with a champagne toast and a special delivery from the Queen. Magda received her cards and presents - and the day was an absolute blast.
Enjoyed by all, loved by everyone; Magda is our oldest resident and has been with us for nearly 20 years. It was an occasion that had to be special - and it was perfect; we lifted the roof off Westergate House.
There's no pasting around!
We are trying new ideas in the home; we started off by making fruit bowls with papier mache. The residents enjoyed a morning of getting messy and creative. It was a great, productive morning full of fun and laughter.
Westergate Bake
The residents at Westergate House made a delicious chocolate finger and Malteser sponge cake. We started off with the base and then the residents got stuck in with the mixing and measuring of ingredients. Finally, we finished off by decorating the cake. We had a great time baking.
Sports in the Garden
Residents at Westergate enjoyed a lovely day outside in the garden playing sports, exercising and having fun.
Celebrating the Queen's Birthday at Westergate House
Westergate House didn't let the British weather spoil the festivities for the Queen's 90th birthday celebrations - we held our street party indoors on Sunday 12th June. Lunch was in the form of a good ol' fashioned street party buffet, with residents and staff alike dressed up in red, white & blue. There was face painting, entertainment and a huge 90th birthday cake baked by the home's Chef - and everyone had a slice! The home has entered the National Activity Providers Association (NAPA) competitions: A Right Royal Street Party 2016 NAPA Challenge and A Right Royal Novelty Cake Competition. Winners are to be announced later in the year, so fingers crossed!
We are currently looking for volunteers!
Westergate House Care Home is currently looking for volunteers!
Can you spare a couple of hours a week?
Do you enjoy spending time with others?
Would you like to make a real difference to someone’s life?
Westergate House Care Home, next to Fontwell Racecourse, needs you!
We are looking for volunteers who can help with trips out, assist with activities and events, or spend some time chatting to the residents of Westergate House.
We are also launching a ‘buddy scheme’, whereby, we would like to match volunteers and residents to spend time with each other on a regular basis.
Chris Lock, Activities Team Leader, says: "We are always keen for our residents to maintain links with the community; volunteers are key to this. Volunteers are also key to us being able to provide a range of activities and events.”
Volunteers need to be friendly and approachable, have good listening and interpersonal skills, and have a caring, non-judgmental attitude and empathy with our client group.
Any volunteer is subject to a DBS check, the cost of which would be covered by the home.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Paul Middleton, General Manager, Westergate House Care Home
