Bowerfield House have been very busy this past week with activities ranging from water painting to cooking. We had a lovely meal for our evening meal, a homemade beef stew. Jenny helped with putting all the ingrediencies together and putting them all in the slow cooker.

We talked about other warm winter meals we loved eating, and there is nothing better than homemade cooking and how the room smells lovely as its cooking .

After all that cooking we enjoyed a hot chocolate with marshmallows and a flake ice cream.

Exploring the garden during January has been proving to be delightful for both residents and staff. The start of a New Year and feeling the winter sunshine on our faces has been a real tonic for us along with checking our flowering primulas and replenishing our bird feeders. We found ourselves counting our steps as we walked along the pathways, singing songs, and even discovered some of our lovely garden ornaments which we were gifted to us in the summer. Whilst spring may not be on the horizon just yet we're grateful for winter days which we can enjoy outside together.

As our home is set over three floors we had three beautiful trees to decorate over the festive period. Our residents selected a different colour theme for each floor and we picked the best decorations to fit and each tree had a hand made decoration on made by our residents and staff. Our trees were decorated by our residents and we made sure that it was how they would want it to be in their own home, obviously there were some tricky decorations for the top of the trees but these were put on safely by our carers.

Christmas this year was a little different to planned, as we unfortunately had to close our doors to visitors.

Our Lifestyle team had to strip back the planned activities programme to make sure we were putting the health and safety of those living with us first. This did not stop us from making sure the spirit of Christmas remained, something which was integral to keeping up moral and boosting the wellbeing of those living and working here alike.

Our beautiful new home is really starting to take shape & we are delighted to share with you, some snaps of the progress from December.

Here you can see …

Our Concierge ran lobby, ready to welcome you into our cosy bar & bistro area, perfectly designed to enjoy your favourite tipple from - including views from what will be our Private Dining Area!

We’re excited to let you know that voting for the 8th Annual Care Awards will be opening on Tuesday 1st March, so now is the time to start thinking about the super stars and stand out performers you’d like to see nominated.

We are planning for a live in person awards ceremony and celebration at The New Dock, Royal Armouries, Leeds for the finalists.

More details to follow with exciting new categories. Watch this space!

Bowerfield House started the year with lots of fun. We had a game of connect 4, and some fun with a parachute and ball, we had lots of giggles and got a physio session in there too.

It was lovely to get our aprons on and rolling pins out and made some yummy chocolate cupcakes, we enjoyed chatting about baking and loved the smell of the cookie mix, we enjoyed eating them later that afternoon with a cup of tea.

We all know how it’s been a struggle for so many this last 2 years. River View thinks is really important to not just look out for the people around you but further afield also. Age UK’s Dementia Café in Reading and Newbury were able to restart again in November. River View were able to offer a hamper as a welcome back to meeting gift and then again as a Christmas raffle and goody bags for each family to take home. Debi was able support the cafes event and served tea and had great conversations. December’s group was a Christmas singalong which everyone enjoyed.

We welcome our new manager Steven Haddock to Bowerfield House, Steven has been with us for 1 week and we are sure he will fit in our little family perfectly .

Happy New Year from Windmill Court