Activities at Westergate House Care Home

Westergate House hosted an Antiques Valuation afternoon this week, with London Art Expert Mark Oliver, who, of Bonhams and Bargain Hunt fame, kindly agreed to visit the home to share his expertise with residents, relatives and guests. Mark has enjoyed a fabulous career culminating in becoming the Head of the Decorative Arts department at Bonhams since the late 1990s. His specialist field of knowledge is Art Nouveau, Art Deco and 20th Century decorative art.

It was a super afternoon, and while no one seemed to be sitting on a small fortune quite yet, great fun was had bringing a selection of heirlooms and antiques for Mark to appraise. He did a fabulous job of explaining provenance and date, and then gave the eagerly awaited news on the value of the precious items. Mark was delighted to offer insight and history to the pieces. At the end of the afternoon, residents and staff collectively agreed that sentimental value was by far the most important, and that the delicious high tea served by Head Chef Chris and his team, had contributed to the ambience of the event.

Staff and residents at Westergate House welcomed in the Year of the Rabbit with a day of celebrations and activities.

Inspired by Chinese culture and traditions, fortune cookies were exchanged and the home was decorated with hanging red lanterns. Residents learned all about the traditions and superstitions of Chinese New Year, and took part in Chinese brush painting. Head Chef Chris served an oriental lunch, which was followed by traditional music and dance, and then a class of Tai Chi seated exercise to round off the afternoon.

Ann, a resident at Westergate House said: “I loved the music, the vibrant costumes and trying my hand at the Chinese brush painting. I find it fascinating to learn all about different traditions.”

Westergate House have been busy within the local community setting up a free knit and natter workshop at the home.

Taking place every Thursday afternoon in the house lounge, residents and guests have the chance to have some fun knitting their own patchwork blanket, and to meet people from the local community. Lifestyles Lead at the home, Lee Austin, has explained the benefits of a knitting group; a forum that provides a relaxing, creative and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.  Added benefits include a reduction in feelings of stress and anxiety, and even the alleviation of physical symptoms such as high blood pressure and a fast heart rate. With all the benefits to mind and soul, Lee felt that the group would be the perfect activity to share with the local community. Head chef Chris and his hospitality team are on board, and take pleasure in serving a range of coffee, tea, pastries and cakes for everyone to enjoy.

We all got into the Christmas spirit when Santa turned up with gifts for all the residents on Christmas Day. Lee Austin, the Activities Lead, aka Santa, dressed up in a fabulous suit, and was barely recognisable as he walked round the home with his sack of carefully chosen presents. The Christmas party was in full swing throughout the home, with traditional food, music and games. Residents enjoyed a feast of festive fayre prepared by the home’s chef Chris.

General Manager, Paul Middleton-Russell said: “Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year and our fantastic residents love to get festive so we’ve pulled out all the stops.  It is so lovely to see them all getting into the Christmas spirit, it’s definitely my favourite time of year.”

Ann, resident at Westergate House said: “It has been a lovely day. It was wonderful to see everyone go to so much effort to get into the Christmas spirit. I really enjoyed the Christmas lunch, and the visit from Santa was a complete surprise.”

Look out, Look out! There’s an elf about!  Fun, tricks and high jinks were order of the day on Friday when Westergate House celebrated National Elf Day to raise awareness for the Alzheimer’s Society. 

Launched by the Alzheimer’s Society and delivered direct from the North Pole, Elf Day was created to sprinkle some festive cheer on fundraising towards finding a cure for dementia.  From stripy socks to head-to-toe elf outfits, anything goes – there’s snow way better to raise money to help beat dementia.

Members of staff dressed as naughty elves and were involved in all sorts of capers.  The day started with a Community Coffee Morning, where residents, friends and relatives got together over coffee, mince pies and pastries.  King Elf Lee, the home’s Lifestyles Lead, surprised all with high-kicks around the lounge that only an elf could do, and elfie jokes were told to entertain all.  The afternoon was spent with Christmas quizzes, competitions and more elf-antics, with tea and sweet treats served by Chef and his team.

Westergate House is putting plans in place for Christmas with each of the three communities busy with the preparation of Christmas gifts.  Residents living in the Memory Lane community have been busy creating pebble art gifts with Activities Coordinator Julie.  Pebbles have been painted with a foundation coat of white paint and decoupage robins have been added to create delightful festive ornaments.  Planting Spring bulbs drew a crowd in the House community, and residents were keen to impart their gardening tips with each other as they filled the pots knowledgeably. They were joined by Lee Austin, the new Lifetyles Lead at the home, and Lily, who has been working at the home on a work experience placement, from Chichester College, to complete studies for her Level 3 qualification in Health & Social Care.