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
Karaoke with the Care team
Our Care team joined the afternoon activities to perform Karaoke. Our residents thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon of singing, dancing and laughter.
Veterans Club
This evening saw the first of our Armed Forces Veterans Club at Westlake House. Our wonderful Veterans were supported by the Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club, Michael Boulton from Army Cadets Horsham and Captain John Hughs from Christ’s Hospital Cadets. Our Veteran residents had a wonderful time as did our residents who just wanted to come along to chat to our wonderful supporters in a relaxed setting. The chat flowed and there was a lot of laughter and story telling. Thank you everyone for making tonight's meet such a success. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Gents Club
On Monday 4th July, Westlake House held their monthly Gents Club hosted by Dave from the Maintenance Team. It was a mixture of fine China and fine beers. Here is Derek (ex-Army) and Tony (ex-Royal Navy) saying cheers to the 196 years between them!
Sussex Green Living
Sussex Green Living is a multi-award-winning growing charity offering many climate mitigation solutions. Their mission is to advance the education of the public in the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment, in particular by educating the public about how to adopt an environmentally friendly lifestyle and improve their ability to reduce their negative impact on the environment. Today our residents were lucky enough to meet the wonderful Carrie and her lovely mother who talked about a more sustainable way of living, but who also and passed round items made from plastic to evidence the sort of things that plastic waste is being transformed into. A great afternoon.
Green Gym Visit
On Friday 18th June, the fantastic Green Gym visited Westlake House where they worked, under the leadership of David Jessop, on the gardens at the front of the home. They did an outstanding job and staff and residents came out in support of them. The Green Gym have agreed to come back to set up a habitat for small mammals and creepy crawlies. Horsham Green Gym are an independent volunteer nature conservation group run by its members, with support from Horsham District Council. They work at various sites in and near Horsham, getting exercise and fresh air while improving the local environment, learning new skills and making new friends.
Jubilee Celebrations
In February of this year, Her Majesty The Queen became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth. Yesterday in celebration of the Queen service, Westlake House held a Platinum Jubilee Tea Party for residents, family and friends. We were honoured to have with us the Sussex ACF led by Lieutenant Michael Boulton.
