White LodgeBarchester Healthcare

Activities at White Lodge Care Home

Our Activities Coordinators here at White Lodge enjoy the fulfillment of helping residents feel important and a part of something. Meaningful moments are created through laughter and comfort. A varied activities programme is offered for the betterment of residents' bodies and minds, including music for health, 'Oomph' sessions and chair Zumba, in addition to coffee and cake groups that all inevitably lead to giggles and old fashioned singalongs. Also, we organise parties, trips out, walks in the country, bus outings and wonderful entertainers to visit our home. A sneaky tipple is always welcomed with cheese and crackers and, at the end of the day, it is important to go home knowing our activities have made a difference.

Read our brochure ‘Life-enriching activities’ for more information about life in our care homes.

Read our brochure

Shayla Sharmeen

Activities Coordinator

Hi my name is Shayla and I'm the activities coordinator here at White Lodge.

Prior to taking the position, I joined White Lodge as care assistant in 2022 and loved every minute of my role. My passion is very much in supporting the day to day lives of the people we care for, it is important to me that our weekly calendar offers rich experiences with music from live entertainers, as well as arts and crafts tailored to individual abilities.

Getting to know our residents better is so important, and through regular family and friends’ meetings we can gain a greater understanding of their loved ones' interests and life prior to joining White Lodge that will make for an enriched activities program to be developed, one that keeps them at the heart of the local community. I look forward to getting to know you, and your loved ones.

We are always open to new ideas. If you would like to get involved in any of our Life Enrichment activities or have a skill, or project you'd like to share with our residents, please contact me direct. New entertainers and community links are always welcome.

Celebrating life at White Lodge Care Home

Cruising Along to Wichelstowe

The residents, families and staff went out for a boat trip today to Wichelstowe.

We spent a great time with Wilts & Berks Canal WBCT Dragonfly Boat Trips. Our wonderful volunteers were kind enough to arrange a charter boat trip for us on a weekday!

One of the residents said, there is always something different going on at White Lodge, and she also wanted to know where we are going for our next trip? Any suggestions greatly received.

We all had such a fabulous day on the water, topped of with ice creams on our way home.

Monthly Church Service

Today the residents requested if we can hold the service outside as they think we are lucky to have the surroundings here and we should make the most of it! It’s great to see the residents connecting and hosting regular religious services in the home gives the residents something to look forward to.

It helps them form a routine which may minimise stress and help them feel calm and in control. Thanks to David and Liz from St Mary's, Purton for visiting us.

Ray Rocks the Crowd

The White Lodge resident had a musical afternoon with Ray Dolphin playing keyboard, singing and dancing with us. He sang all the classic hits from 1950's, 1960's and 1970's. We are looking forward to his next visit!

One of the cornerstones of our life enrichment program is live musical entertainment. Resident involvement in choosing genres along with feedback after each performance means that we are able to constantly improve our activities calendar.

Day Trip to REME Museum

Minibus trips are always popular at White Lodge, specially if the trip is to a museum, this week we visited the amazing; The REME Museum!

One of the residents I.N. was excited to visit the museum as her husband was a REME personnel in the British Army. At the museum she was the one guiding us through and telling all sort of stories about the REME engineers used to do, about the medals, swords from Japan, shoes from Libya, match boxes from Germany and so on.

Our next outing is Boat Trip on next Thursday, 17th July, leaving white lodge at 1.30pm. If you are want to join us with your loved ones, please call for booking as we have 4 extra seats!

Yummy! Let's Celebrate World Chocolate Day

Staff and residents at White Lodge care home in had a fantastic time celebrating World Chocolate Day, surely one of the best days of the year! Overseen by head chef Richard, staff and residents whipped up delicious chocolate fountain with lots of strawberries, marshmallow, pineapple, grapes, sponges, waffles!

S.W., a resident said: “I have always loved anything to do with chocolate, I don’t think there are many people that don’t! I have eaten so much today, I think this has to be one of my favourite celebrations.”

Gentlemen's club

White Lodge residents got together in the lounge for their first gentlemen's club!

We started with classic jazz music in the background and went through the gentlemen's club issue 1 from Oomph which featured classic cars and motorcycles. It took us back to the golden age of motoring, when cars had curves, engines roared with character, and the open road promised adventure.

Kitchen provided us a selection of beers to taste which was the main attraction for the participants for sure!

The gentlemen of White Lodge said they will look forward to the next club where we will have a different topic to discuss.

Gardening club

Residents at White Lodge care home enjoyed their weekly gardening club with our gardener Matthew, and have been busy watering the plants around the home.

The residents started with dead heading the flowers in the planters and also in the baskets. After the hard work, all of the participants sat back to enjoy the vibrant colours of the flowers and softly water the plants, this was enjoyed by all with a cup of tea and cake afterwards.

1950's themed Summer Fete!

White Lodge had its annual summer fete in 1950's style. Unfortunately due to the weather the fete was moved inside but the residents and the visitors made the most out of it!

The residents had and amazing time with Tony M singing for us and a group of dancers from the community dancing with the residents to support us for the event all the way from Melksham. There was tombola to raise money for Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity, handcrafted bracelets, face painting and glitters.

Thank you everyone to come and make the event successful despite of the weather. special thanks to Ann Marie Oram for all the support provided to get the classic car owners together.

Cooling Ice cream Anyone?

The residents had a fun-filled afternoon while making banana splits for themselves! The kitchen had kindly provided all the required ingredients for the recipe which includes 3 different flavours of ice cream, selection of sprinkles, selection of fruits, 3 different flavours of sauces and of course banana!

One of the residents S.W who is staying with us for respite said, ''there are so many new experiences I had at White Lodge. Today another new experience added to my list which is making banana split. its very easy and i shall make again after going back to my home for my husband.''