Our stories

Peace of mind

Moving into a care home made easy

Our care team are here to make sure that making the move is as easy as possible for you and your loved one. If you still need reassurance, here are some stories from our residents, their families and our care team.

Andy T is back! Andy has been entertaining all those who live and work at Brunel House for the last 6 years. We used to enjoy his company regularly as he was so popular and we are all so happy he is now back. The reaction when he arrived said it all.

Andy T Is Back!

25th May was Africa Day and we celebrated in style. From traditional costumes and food, to dancing, games and African music. We had a great time.

Afternoon garden games for all, complete with ice creams, lemonade, music and laughter. Judith is getting ready for Wimbledon.

As things are getting back to normal we have restarted the activities and visits that we always used to enjoy. The first trip out was lunch at our local pub. It was long overdue and a joy to be outside in the lovely weather. John and Janna cannot wait for the next outing.

The residents and the staff joined together to celebrate 'Time For A Cuppa' last week, a fundraising event to raise money for Dementia UK and support families facing Dementia.

Time For A Cuppa

Bowerfield House Bake Off

We were waiting for a special day here at Clarendon, an outside cabaret with one of our most popular artiste. The stage was set up and the chairs was arranged. Once the show began Robert didn't disappoint, treating us to a superb afternoon of entertainment our residents really enjoyed.

Outside Cabaret

Today we did arm chair travel and our residents went to the beach! We did a virtual tour of Cromer, Sheringham and Southwold, built sand castles, made our very own beach sandals, played beach volleyball, had chance to feel a range of interesting beach shells and paint our own sea side postcard.

Arm Chair Travel to The Beach

For World Bee Day we enjoyed a range of different crafts here at Bowerfield Court. We painted little wooden bumble bees which we made into badges, made pom pom bees and painted bee feeders.

Annually, on the 12th of May the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth, we celebrate International Nurses Day. A global event that acknowledges and praises the commitment and bravery of nurses around the world.

International Nurses Day Celebrations!

Who doesn't enjoy singing and dancing? Well, our residents were kept entertained by the lovely Sam Jones as she sang their favourite songs to which the residents danced and sung along to. She certainly got the party started.

Sam Jones's Entertainment

Our residents enjoyed a pork pie and pate tasting session this afternoon. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Pork Pie and Pate Tasting Session

Today at Manorhey we tried different chocolates as part of our tasting session. We had to see what flavours we could taste, if we recognise the chocolate bar and if we enjoyed the taste of that particular bar.

Chocolate Tasting

Following on from our circus animal trolley, we discussed how to make more cages and the residents suggested making them from boxes for the gorillas, they then discussed what colour to paint them and decided on a lighter colour so the gorillas stood out more, they were really pleased with the res

Our residents have really enjoyed making things for our carnival, the theme being circus. Amongst the things we have made were a tin can alley where residents painted cans and the backdrop to the game.

Our residents made gift bags for the carnival and paper flowers to make garlands for everyone that wanted one to wear around their necks.

Carnival Preparations

Our residents spent time talking about our carnival party and enjoyed planning and prepping lots of different activities, we spent quite some time making the signs and cage for our trolley to hold the circus animals. Everyone was really pleased with the outcome.

This week we have had a group reminiscence workshop for dementia action week. We have looked at old photos, listened to music from the 40s and 50s and had an old time music hall sing a long. Here is our Betty sharing one of the pictures we have talked about.

Group Reminiscence Workshop

Bowerfield Court enjoyed a Queen themed party this month. Staff dressed for a gig/festival and each resident was given their very own concert lanyard.

We Will Rock You!

Mythical fact about the month of May: The month of May was named for the Greek goddess Maia, who was the goddess of fertility. Maia was one of the seven daughters of the Titan Atlas and the Oceanid Pleione. She was also known as the Goddesses “Bona Dea” or Good Goddess.

Hope Green staff and residents were hoping for sunnier weather to spend time in the garden with their gardening project, but we had a change of plan with a morning of games which brought equal pleasure.

This week, residents enjoyed painting and using watercolours and the art easels. They had fun creating their masterpieces. Well done guys.

On 'International Tea Day' we tried lots of different teas from around the world, some nice, some not so nice, but at least we could give a name of a tea to the taste.

International Tea Day

Leonard, Owen and Joan out in the sunshine today. Listening, singing and joining in with the dance moves with our lovely Kerry who came to sing for us today. Our residents enjoyed the sing-a-long and to keep cool we had an ice lolly to finish off the afternoon.

Here at Abingdon Court, being part of the community in which we all live and work is very important to us.

Dementia Café Donation

The smiles were back for the return of Andy T .

Andy has been entertaining the residents and staff of Brunel House for the last 6 years. He's so popular her used to visit once a month.

The return of Andy T

Our regular tea time quiz is getting very competitive. The three teams, the Wise Quacks, Agatha Quiztie and Les Quizerables went head to head with The Wise Quacks coming out on top, this time.

It's not just our families and friends that we like to check in on. Sometimes we like to catch up and have a little bit of time with our pets who love us unconditionally.

We held a 'life style day' for our residents, which means brushing, folding laundry, dusting or knitting, after discussion the general feeling was to have a knitting day. Some great results and hard concentration. An enjoyable activity that everyone who took part enjoyed.

At Bowerfield House we have been very busy in the kitchen, we have baked cupcakes and decorated them. We all enjoyed eating them with a nice pot of tea and a good chat.

Games afternoon started with Bingo, Cards and Domino's. Mona, Dorothy and Owen enjoyed the games afternoon, they had a lovely tea and cake break.

Games Afternoon

Our most requested activity are music and quizzes.

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire

To the activities team,

Thank you so very much for all your care. The Skype calls were precious. We know Dad enjoyed the activities you all provided. Pedro, you are amazing.

Kind Regards, J&M

Thank You Cards

We celebrated International Nurses Day on Wednesday 12th May. We presented to all of the nurses a fob watch as a nice way to show them how proud we are of their work and dedication to our residents.

International Nurses Day

This week we brought a splash of colour into the lives of the Knights Court residents. We took out our colouring pencils and colouring sheets kindly donated to us by Morrison’s and threw ourselves into to this life enhancing activity.

At Brunel House we are very lucky to now have 2 pianos for the people living with us to enjoy.

Tinkling the Ivories

Thursday has become our regular out and about excursion day, which allows us to once again make great use of the Brunel House minibus.

Fish & Chips with a View

Face painting for our Rio Carnival Day. We had a fabulous day starting with face painting the staff and residents, Yvonne, Leonard, Nicola and then the head dresses.

Some of the pictures of the Rio Carnival, getting ready for the afternoon. Cocktails were served, Strawberry Daiquiri and Pimms, lemonade and fruit juices. Our carnival table preparations in the dining room and the conservatory ready for the fabulous buffet.

Today we made salt dough and had great fun making shapes and kneading the dough. This is great for circulation and exercising the hands and fingers and can also be a cause for much laughter.

Our activities theme for the month of May is 'All About Me' so we spent time during this Dementia Awareness Week reminiscing and listening to old familiar songs. We also painted forget-me-not flowers that represent remembrance and are long-associated with dementia.

Dementia Awareness Week

At Hope Green we've really started to get creative and this week has been no exception. One of our residents has a particular flair for painting and even has her own work displayed in her room.

Arts and Crafts

Smiles smiles smiles at Hope Green as our hairdresser has returned after many months! What a difference a day makes, and what a difference a hair cut makes too! Our hairdressing salon was extremely busy as many residents chose to visit and get themselves treated to a long awaited hair treatment.

Hope Green's Hairdresser

Continuing with our fundraising for the Stroke Association we held a purple day here at Bowerfield Court. Everyone wore a purple ribbon and enjoyed the variety of purple sweets and cupcakes that were on offer.

Stroke Association Fundraising

We love to keep active at Hope Green and Balloon Tennis is one of our favourite games to enjoy together. With music on in the background too we find ourselves singing whilst playing.

Residents have been busy making colourful shakers and masquerade masks for our Mardi Gras themed party scheduled for the 26th of May. The carnival shakers were made from loo roll, paper towel and Pringle tubes.

Mardi Gras Party Preparations

Bowerfield House has enjoyed a beach day today while listening to the Cliff Richard song Summer Holidays. Carers Vicky and Joan waited at our new bus stop for the bus to take them to the beach. Our residents enjoyed touching the sand and feeling it between their toes and touching the shells.

Parkview House promoted World Hand Hygiene Day recently with the people who live and work at the home.

World Hand Hygiene Day

Everyone who lives and works at Princess Lodge celebrated International Nurses Day with style with gifts and pizza. It was a day to thank all of the amazing nurses, not just at Princess Lodge but across the world for their continued support, dedication and kindness.

International Nurses Day

With International Nurses Day falling in the same week as Mental Health Awareness Week, we have everyone's mental health in our hearts. We have touched base with everyone to ask 'How are you?'. We also handed out lots of little sweet treats to remind everyone - 'YOU ARE NOT ALONE'.

International Nurses Day and Mental Health Week