Activities at White Lodge Care Home

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!              

What a magical evening spent with our lovely residents, their families and friends! The festive spirit was truly shining as the Cirencester Band filled the home with beautiful Christmas melodies during our light switch-on.

We were honoured to welcome our special guest, the Mayor of Swindon, who spent time chatting with residents and exploring the home. A heartfelt thank you for joining us. We truly appreciate your time and warm presence. She was delighted to see the wonderful atmosphere and the quality of life here at White Lodge.

Our amazing chef also prepared a delicious festive buffet featuring mince pies, quiche, sausage rolls, spring rolls, scotch eggs and warming mulled wine, the perfect treat for a cosy Christmas celebration.

A huge thank you to our incredible staff, whose hard work and dedication made this special day possible. Your care, creativity and teamwork brought the festive magic to life, and we are so grateful for everything you do!!!             

Marion and Jenny from the Purton community visited us to deliver a wonderfully engaging presentation on the history of Purton. Using a collection of old photographs projected onto the screen, they brought the village’s past to life, its people, buildings, traditions, and moments that shaped the community over the years.

The session had a particularly meaningful impact on several of our residents. Many recognised familiar places from their childhood: the school they once attended, the church where they worshipped, the chapel where weddings were celebrated, and streets they used to walk every day. These images and stories sparked warm memories and personal reflections, prompting conversations about their own experiences growing up in Purton.

It was a truly heart-warming afternoon filled with nostalgia, shared stories, and a deep sense of connection, not only to the village, but also to one another. A beautiful reminder of how powerful it can be to revisit the places and moments that shaped our lives.     

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.        

This afternoon, our residents were treated to an uplifting mix of classic hits from the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, beautifully played by White Horse Rock and Roll.

It was heart-warming to see how many residents, including those living with dementia, arrived in the lounge quietly and a little reserved, only to leave with bright smiles, tapping feet, and renewed energy. Music truly works its magic here: faces light up, memories spark, and the whole room comes alive.

We’re delighted to continue our Community Disco every month. We can’t wait to see you all again!       

We welcomed members of the Swindon Veterans Group for a touching Remembrance Day cream tea. Our brave veterans arrived proudly in their blazers and medals, each one carrying stories of courage, sacrifice, and love for their country. Residents and families gathered around, listening with admiration as the veterans shared memories from their service — moments of bravery, friendship, and resilience that will never be forgotten.

As everyone enjoyed warm scones and tea, the wonderful Philip Dawdling filled the room with the sounds of wartime tunes on his organ, bringing back precious memories and smiles all around. It was an afternoon of reflection, gratitude, and togetherness reminding us all how deeply we owe our freedom to those who served. The veterans left with promises to return and celebrate Christmas with us, and we can’t wait to welcome them back.       

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.         

Our White Lodge residents enjoyed a wonderful day out at the Hollywood Bowl, and what a special experience it was! From friendly games of snooker to trying out other fun activities, everyone found something they loved. We ended the day with a comforting hot drink and plenty of smiles.

Outings like these are more than just days out, they remind us of the importance of living a rich and meaningful life, no matter your age or health. Even while living with dementia, our residents continue to enjoy new experiences, connect with others, and create joyful memories.

At White Lodge, we believe that every individual deserves opportunities to thrive, stay active, and feel valued. Days like this truly show the positive impact that enriched living can have on wellbeing and happiness.