Activities at Westergate House Care Home

The fabulous chef and his kitchen team prepared a beautiful spread for a special birthday party hosted here at Westergate house. The event was enjoyed by everyone!

Residents at Westergate House have been busy creating wonderful pieces of art inspired by the homes beautiful surroundings. The workshop is provided by Pallant House Gallery in Chichester.

This fantastic monthly workshop sees residents taught some new skills and techniques by the Gallery’s ‘In House’ artists. Over the last couple of months they have been able to work with Water Colours, Collages and now scratch boards and chalk. Next month residents will be working with clay and sculpting some wonderful creations.

Lifestyles Lead, Lee Austin, explained the benefits of being part of this community project. “Emily and her team at Pallant house have been great and the workshops they have provided work so well with our residents. We have built up a great relationship with the gallery and this week, some of our residents went to the gallery as part of our Minibus outing to look around, and see some works of art on display. This creative and enjoyable experience for everyone involved will continue through the summer, giving everyone a chance to learn new skills and create some art work that they can display in their rooms.”

These workshops provided by Pallant House help improve and learn new skills in a relaxed enjoyable environment encouraging communication and laughter between residents.

Westergate House care home in Fontwell prepared a traditional Burns Night lunch for the residents and staff in the home, to the backdrop of traditional Scottish music. Lifestyles Lead, Lee Austin, was involved in a number of activities to mark the Scottish institution, including giving the time-honoured address to the ‘Great chieftain O’ the pudding race’ – the haggis.

General Manager, Paul, said: “Burns Night is always a fantastic event at Westergate House, it’s so important to continue these traditions. Our residents enjoyed a hearty meal of Scotch broth, and a choice of Haggis with neeps and tatties, Scottish salmon, and Braised Beef Brisket all prepared by our stellar Chef, Chris Gray Grana-Priego. We also had great fun discovering how much, or is some cases how little(!), we knew about Scotland with our brilliant Scottish quiz.”

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.