Activities at Westvale House Care Home

Barchester’s Westvale got into the Christmas spirit when Mrs Claus paid a visit on Christmas Day bringing a smile to everyone’s faces as she delivered presents throughout the home.  Once all the presents had been delivered, Residents enjoyed a feast of festive foods prepared by the home’s hospitality team whilst festive songs played in the background. Everyone had a wonderful day!

Residents and staff at Westvale got into the Christmas spirit by holding our own German Christmas market in the home.

Residents enjoyed German Christmas music, German hotdogs, a variety of cheeses and mulled wine.

Residents enjoyed watching our virtual Christmas carol performance by the Old Vic Theatre Company. During the interval, the residents enjoyed ice C=cream and Cornettos.

With Christmas just around the corner, Residents have enjoyed fun-filled days with a variety of life enrichment activities from baking and decorating the Christmas cake, decorating the trees and adding that touch of sparkle and glitter to the home, virtual events and having a lot of fun along the way!

Last week Residents enjoyed celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah where they watched a live virtual talk by Geoff Pearl, who was happy to do a Hanukkah celebration with the Residents. Geoff talked about the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, which commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C of the second temple of Jerusalem, also known as’ The Festival of Lights’.

As Geoff went through the service, we lit the first candle on the Menorah. It was also an interactive session as Residents were able to ask Geoff questions.

Resident, George also celebrated his 80th years young with a small party. George was so happy to be able to have his birthday party alongside celebrating Hanukkah, as George used to be very close to the Jewish community when he had his own carpet business.  Happy birthday George!

Throughout December, Residents have been busy counting down to Christmas with their busy life enrichment programme filled with fun-filled festive activities.

We have been busy making festive decorations to display around our home and making our Christmas cakes, starting them early so we could ‘feed’ them with brandy or sherry and leaving plenty of time for them to mature before decorating and entering into Barchester’s annual Christmas cake competition.

As we made our cakes, it was lovely to hear everyone sharing their memories of Christmases past, the traditions they enjoyed and what Christmas has meant to them.

The judging of the Christmas cakes will take place on 11th December and we can’t wait to sample the finished cake! Good luck to everyone and may the best cake win!