Activities at White Lodge Care Home

The residents at White Lodge have started their Knit and Natter group again this year, and we are delighted to say it was a great success.
The group was led by our beloved volunteers, Chris and Jenny. Many residents joined in and shared their experiences of knitting and sewing, and it was wonderful to see so many families taking part as well.
Our talented ladies put their skills to great use, creating beautiful knitted squares for blankets to support premature babies in local hospitals. Our volunteers will be helping to sew the squares together.
We are looking forward to holding the knitting club every Thursday at 2pm. We hope to see you at our next club!

The residents at White Lodge spent a delightful afternoon with their loved ones enjoying a relaxing and creative painting session led by Deepti Arora 
A professional artist, Deepti guided everyone through simple yet highly effective techniques to help them create a beautiful landscape masterpiece. Her step-by-step approach made the session accessible, engaging, and thoroughly enjoyable for all skill levels.
Residents found the experience both stimulating and rewarding as they followed Deepti’s instructions and watched their paintings come to life. One resident, who paints as a hobby, shared that he learned some very effective techniques that he is excited to incorporate into his future artwork.
It was truly a wonderful afternoon filled with creativity, connection, and joy and we look forward to many more inspiring painting sessions ahead!

The residents at White Lodge Care Home marked National Chocolate Cake Day in the most delicious way possible with a selection of homemade treats prepared by our talented hospitality team.
The tempting spread included rich Belgian chocolate cake, indulgent chocolate fudge cake, decadent millionaire layer cake, gooey chocolate brownies and beautifully topped chocolate cupcakes. There truly was something for every chocolate lover! Of course, it was all perfectly accompanied by a comforting cup of tea.
One resident shared how absolutely delighted they were to see so many different kinds of chocolate cake all in one place. calling it a “chocolate lover’s dream!”

White Lodge residents were treated to a fantastic Elvis Presley tribute show by Nick from Mini Concert, who brought the magic of the King to life in a wonderful show. Setting the mood with “Dream a Little Dream,” Nick had everyone hooked from the very first note.
He went on to perform classic hits like “Suspicious Minds,” “Return to Sender,” “Hound Dog,” “Love Me Tender,” and “Moon River,” getting everyone singing and dancing along. 
The show ended on a high with the timeless favourite “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” with the whole room joining in. A truly memorable tribute to a legendary artist...thank you, Nick, for an unforgettable afternoon! 

Residents of White Lodge visited the RWB Memorial Hall to join the Christmas concert organised by Celebrating Age Wiltshire. This wonderful event was arranged especially for the older community around Royal Wootton Bassett and featured a heart-warming performance by the North Swindon Big Band.

The concert opened with instrumental tunes that instantly transported our residents back to their younger days, moments filled with music, memories, and joy. After the first set, everyone enjoyed a cosy tea break with an array of festive treats: ginger cake, carrot cake, lemon drizzle, Christmas cake, sausage rolls, and plenty of hot tea and coffee to keep the winter chill away. The band then returned to the stage with a selection of popular Christmas classics, including White Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Merry Christmas, and many more, filling the hall with warmth and festive cheer.

A particularly touching moment came for one of our residents, G.N., who once played trombone in a band himself. The trombonist from the North Swindon Big Band came over to say hello, sparking a lovely exchange. G.N. also reunited with several familiar faces, making the afternoon even more special. The joy on his face was truly heart-warming, a reminder of how powerful music and connection can be.

Wishing everyone a warm, joyful, and truly magical festive season!              

White Lodge was delighted to host the bike marking event for the local Community Police team. Prior to the event, White Lodge raised funds for the bike marking kit through a community fundraising event, demonstrating its commitment to supporting local safety initiatives.
On the day, the officers set up a table in a visible area, making it easy for individuals to find them and take part. Members of the local community came along to have their bikes security marked. While visiting, they also had the opportunity to look around the home and admire the beautiful surroundings.
Residents enjoyed meeting the police officers, learning more about their work, and discussing the valuable service they provide to the community. White Lodge looks forward to working more closely with local charities and community partners in the future.

The residents at White Lodge took on a wonderful community project, creating packs of sweets and roses to share with the local community.
They visited the high street in Royal Wootton Bassett to hand them out as a simple act of kindness. It was especially lovely for the residents to bump into old friends along the way.
Our volunteer Jenny also joined us to help share the sweet treats, making the day even more special.
We received such a warm and heartfelt welcome from the Royal Wootton Bassett community. it truly meant so much to everyone involved.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you all!

At White Lodge Care Home, we regularly support our residents to take part in mini trips and connect with the local community. One of our favourite and most meaningful visits is to the RWB Dementia Choir, where residents enjoy singing alongside others from the Wootton Bassett community. These sessions are always filled with warmth, laughter, and a real sense of belonging.

Although residents often arrive in different moods, they consistently leave with bright smiles and lifted spirits. The power of music brings everyone together, creating moments of joy and connection. After the singing, residents enjoyed tea and cakes while chatting and relaxing together.

One resident, who previously attended St Bartholomew’s Church, recognised several familiar faces. Seeing her light up was truly heart-warming and reminded us how special these experiences are for everyone involved.

The residents at White Lodge enjoyed a truly joyful Christmas celebration filled with bright colours, delicious food, and plenty of music.

The festivities kicked off with a fantastic performance by the all-male band End of Track, who immediately set the mood and brought the Christmas spirit alive. Their lively renditions of festive favourites such as White Christmas, Sweet Caroline, and Merry Christmas had everyone smiling, singing along, and soaking up the joyful atmosphere.

Following the wonderful entertainment, residents were treated to a mouth-watering festive buffet. The table was packed with seasonal delights, including Scotch eggs, sausage rolls, mince pies, mini quiches, Christmas cake, and panettone, all perfectly complemented by warm cups of tea and coffee.

It was a heart-warming celebration enjoyed by all and a perfect way to share the magic of Christmas together.           

The White Lodge recently welcomed families from across our community for a wonderfully festive toddler group, held in collaboration with Magical Musical Moments by Lucy Self. 

The morning was filled with joy, as local mums arrived with their little ones, babies as young as four months up to energetic toddlers of two and a half. Together they sang cheerful Christmas songs, giggled through peek-a-boo under the parachute, and delighted in a flurry of soft “snow” baubles. The room was filled with music, movement, and countless shared laughs, a true celebration of the season.

One of the most touching parts of the morning came after the session, when the toddlers visited our residents for some special one-to-one time. These intergenerational moments are incredibly meaningful. For older adults, connecting with young children can spark joy, stimulate memory, and provide a sense of purpose and belonging. For the little ones, it builds confidence, empathy, and an early understanding of community. The smiles exchanged between the children and residents spoke louder than words, bridging generations in the most beautiful way.

To finish, everyone gathered for refreshments and a comforting cup of tea, chatting and enjoying the warmth of being together. It was a simple morning, but one filled with magic, the kind that comes from community, connection, and the shared spirit of Christmas.        

The residents at White Lodge recently came together to celebrate Dignity in Care, spreading awareness about what dignity truly means to them.
When asked, “What does dignity mean to you?”, residents shared some heartfelt responses. Comments such as, “Dignity to me means having my voice heard,” and “Empowering individuals to make their own decisions,” beautifully captured the importance of respect, choice, and independence in everyday life.
We were also delighted to introduce Elizabeth, our dedicated Dignity Champion. Elizabeth is committed to ensuring that every resident is treated with respect, compassion, and dignity, and she continues to advocate for residents’ rights and wellbeing.
To bring the celebration to life, Philip Dowding entertained everyone by playing his organ, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere. Residents enjoyed a lovely afternoon of music, tea, and delicious cakes freshly prepared by our kitchen team.
It was a truly special day, celebrating the values that matter most to our community.

The residents in Memory Lane Community at our home had a special day during their reborn doll therapy session, when we invited a reborn dolls company K.H Reborn Events and Hire. 
The dolls are highly realistic, creating a meaningful and comforting experience that closely resembles holding a real baby. Residents gently cradled, rocked, and spoke to the dolls, naturally engaging in nurturing behaviours.
The room was calm and relaxed as one of the residents softly sang a lullaby to help the “baby” fall asleep. The atmosphere was filled with warmth, tenderness, and a sense of purpose.
Reborn doll therapy offers many benefits for individuals living with dementia and Alzheimer’s. It can help reduce anxiety, agitation, and restlessness by providing comfort and emotional reassurance.

Residents at White Lodge were delighted to welcome the beautiful dancers from Lucy Gill Ballet 
The dancers showcased graceful ballet steps — twirls, spins, gentle jumps and elegant arm movements, specially tailored for little girls as young as 4 years old. Their energy and smiles truly lit up the room.
A big thank you to Lucy, the dance teacher and the parents for bringing their children to our premises and giving our residents the opportunity to enjoy such a lovely and uplifting performance. 
We hope to welcome you all back again very soon! 

The residents at White Lodge enjoyed a truly magical musical moment this morning with a special visit from the artists at Tickled Pink Productions. They treated everyone to a spectacular Christmas show, performed in classic panto style and filled with festive songs that brought so much laughter into the room.

For many of our residents, going to the theatre was a big part of their lives in their younger years, so the performance really took them back and stirred wonderful memories. There was plenty of clapping, laughter, and even some dancing as everyone joined in the fun.

A huge thank you to our residents’ family and friends for joining us today, you always add a bit of sunshine to their day. Our staff also joined in the festivities, making it a truly joyful occasion for all.

We finished the celebration in the best possible way, with mince pies and a cup of tea, you can never go wrong with that!     

To kick off the Christmas season, our residents enjoyed a magical surprise today: a visit from an adorable miniature pony from Happy Hooves Equine Ltd – Equine Assisted Therapy & Transport.   

The looks of joy and disbelief as the little pony trotted down the corridor and gently peeked into residents’ rooms is unbelievable. The atmosphere instantly lifted; smiles spread, laughter filled the air, and for a moment the whole home felt wrapped in pure holiday wonder.

For our residents living with dementia, the visit was especially meaningful. The pony’s calm presence offered comfort, connection, and a soothing sense of peace. Many residents reached out to stroke its soft coat, and you could see the stress melt away as they interacted with this gentle companion.

It was a beautiful reminder of how small moments can create big magic and how bringing a bit of Christmas cheer can brighten hearts in the most unexpected ways.