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
International Nurses' Day
Westlake House celebrated International Nurses’ Day and thanked all our trained staff for the wonderful work and support that they give, not only to the residents and their relatives, but also to the hard working care staff who work with them. They make a real difference to the lives of those we support.
Nurses’ Day is a chance to recognise and reward the important work and dedication of nurses everywhere, who often go above and beyond the call of duty.
Our Oldest Care Assistant
Dorothy Clark, aged 80, works as a Care Assistant here at Westlake House, first joining us in 2003.
Dorothy is pictured above with Peter Crabb, Senior Care Assistant. Both Dorothy and Peter have ensured that residents' care needs and comfort come first and that the delivery of quality care is always at the heart of everything they do.
According to Dorothy, she has been at Barchester longer than she was at any other company. She said she's still fit at the ripe old age of 80, and added that the job gives her great satisfaction and is very rewarding. She hopes to continue doing it as long as she can.
Westlake House also employs Edna, who is 88 years old and works as a Hostess – and has done for the past 22 years. Dorothy said that she found the people working at Westlake House to be very friendly and welcoming; she felt comfortable right from the start.
Both Edna and Dorothy have not thought seriously about retiring. Both employees continue to work and make a huge difference to the lives of older people living at Westlake House.
Time for a Cuppa
Tea lovers at Westlake House took part in a fundraising event to raise awareness for Dementia UK. We organised a ‘Time for a Cuppa’ day and held a tea party and cake sale to show support for Dementia UK and the Admiral Nurses who work closely with those living with dementia.
Chinese New Year
Westlake House welcomed the Year of the Dog with a day of celebration and activities, which were a delight for staff, residents, relatives and friends of the home.
Inspired by Chinese culture and traditions, the home was decorated with hanging red lanterns. The Head Chef cooked up an oriental feast and everyone celebrated in style with a special lunch of traditional Chinese food, including spring rolls, sweet and sour chicken and egg fried rice.
Pancake Day
The Head Chef has been flipping and turning pancakes all morning in preparation for the annual Shrove Tuesday pancake race. Westlake House has marked this year’s Pancake Day with lots of pancake decorations and several toppings.
National Nest Box Week
Westlake House is located in a leafy countryside setting and our gardens have several shrubs and flowers which make them more attractive to birds and squirrels that benefit wildlife throughout the year. Both staff and residents at Westlake House replenished the bird feeders and indulged in a spot of bird and squirrel watching in the wooden areas surrounding the home.
Our gardener, William Lawrence, maintains all the plants, including the brambles, hawthorn and honeysuckle, which provide berries, attract insects that birds like to eat, and provide good nesting material.
Bird feeders for any type of birds have been strategically positioned around the garden and several will provide residents with a good view of all the comings and goings when they come to eat the nuts and the seeds.
