Activities at Westlake House Care Home
Residents enjoy playing hoopla and bocce bowls, which combine exercise with the thrill of competitive sport. We invite entertainers and musicians to visit the home on a regular basis and residents very much enjoy watching them perform.
We also have our pet therapy dog, Marley, visit the home on a fortnightly basis, and residents love petting him. They also enjoy health and fitness days, where they get the opportunity to participate in armchair exercises and target games.
We always celebrate National Volunteer Week, which we use as a chance to say thank you for the wonderful work that our volunteers do that further enhances the quality of life for those who live at Westlake.
As well as continuing with our favourite activities, such as arts & crafts, bingo, knit & natter, Scrabble, board games, bridge, quizzes, pampers & manicures, reminiscence sessions and musical memories, we always like to launch new activities for residents, which give them the opportunity to socialise with their friends and families. These could be our own vegetable patches, flower arranging sessions, a book club or anything else that our imaginations conjure up.
Rosie Duhig
I joined the Barchester family in November 2024 and have instantly felt welcome and supported. As an activity coordinator, I am passionate about getting to know our residents and delivering person-centred care and activities to all residents, an approach supported by a holistic, whole-home view.
I have been in a Care support role since 2019 and an Activity Coordinator since 2020. I love that my role brings laughter and joy to others. It so wonderful seeing people engaging in an activity they enjoy and interacting with each other. I am very passionate about Intergenerational projects, as something magical happens when old and young get together.
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 Westlake House Care Home
Cupcake Day
Westlake House welcomed the children from over the Rainbow Nursery to help them decorate and sell cupcakes for Cupcake Day in support of The Alzheimer’s Society. The children and the residents had great fun, and raised some money for a great charity.
Horsham Matters
Maintenance Manager, Peter Embling, can be seen above donating to our local food bank. The contents of the hamper were a joint effort between staff, residents and families. Horsham Matters were very grateful for our donation and we will be making regular contributions throughout 2019.
Cocktails & Mocktails
Members of our local community were invited to our 'Cocktails & Mocktails' party on 6th March. Residents and their families had a fun time creatubg cocktails served with a mix of fruits. There was a fun Caribbean feel with a bit of dancing and balloon fun. Everyone voted unanimously that this was an event we should hold again.
Supporting Special Needs
10 young people with additional learning needs at Hastings College benefited greatly from a visit by Westlake's very own Jennie Duggan recently. Jennie talked about her journey from a special needs school to college to paid work. She told the group all about a typical shift at Barchester, about how much she enjoys her job and the qualities she has that makes her an ideal employee.
The young people asked many questions about her job that she answered with confidence and enthusiasm. Jennie was able to reassure the group that even if there are parts of a job that might be challenging, with a little support from a colleague or a job coach, there was nothing to be worried about.
Jennie has been working at Westlake for almost two years as a Hostess and in the kitchen, and is a really valued member of the team.
Long Service Award
Congratulations to Dorothy, Care Assistant, at Westlake, who recently celebrated 15 years at Barchester! Thanks for all your hard work Dorothy!
Cup of Tea and a Chat!
After a morning of card games we thought it would be a great idea to have a relaxing cup of tea and a chat about the books each resident has been reading.
