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
National Pizza Day
National Pizza Day has been a real treat at Westlake House; we marked the occasion by getting out our aprons and kneading the dough to make pizzas, of course.
The week, organised by the Foodism magazine, is a celebration of all things pizza-related, and is the perfect excuse to get everybody together for a pizza topping party.
Many residents personalised their own pizzas with a selection of healthy, tasty treats that included ham, cheese, mushrooms and mixed peppers.
Open Day
We welcomed the local community on 27th January for an afternoon session of live musical entertainment, teas and freshly made cakes. It was also an opportunity for visitors to meet the whole team and take a look around the home.
All the residents enjoyed live singing and musical entertainment in the main activity lounge. They were later served homemade cakes that were prepared by the home’s Head Chef, Ryan McFee.
Burns Night
We prepared a traditional Burns Night supper to the tune of bagpipes, and capers continued well into the wee small hours!
Staff and residents at the home were involved in a number of activities, such as singing and learning the art of Scottish country music to mark the Scottish institution,
It was great fun for everyone!
Alive Activities
Craig Stevens from Alive Activities gave an informative talk on certain types of activities which could help to further enhance the health and well-being of those we support by keeping their minds and body active.
Students from Christ Hospital attended the seminar to ask questions and discuss among themselves how this could be facilitated in their care homes and what sort of resources would be required to implement the positive changes and practical ideas for engaging with residents.
Residents also joined the seminar to understand how they could influence and have a say in the various activities we provide at Westlake House.
106th Birthday Celebration
Celebrations have been in full swing at Westlake House, as one resident enjoyed her 106th birthday – the second at Westlake House to have reached this milestone in the last four months.
Florence, who prefers to be called Dixie, was joined by staff, relatives and other residents as she received her 7th telegram from the Queen in recognition of her landmark birthday. Dixie enjoyed her special birthday cake that was made by the home’s Head Chef, Diane Mancini.
Christmas Pantomime
Westlake House made Christmas that little bit more magical for residents and staff by transforming part of the home into a ‘Santa’s Grotto’ on 12th December.
Staff and residents loved celebrating the festive season and were excited about the different characters performed by the Christmas pantomime actors. All the residents joined in with the fun.
