Latest news with #BarchesterHealthcare
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Workington care home launches Dementia Disco initiative
A Workington care home has launched a new Dementia-friendly disco initiative. Newlands Care Centre held their first Dementia Disco on May 21, inspired by their residents' love of dancing. The team invited residents, families, members of the community and friends of the home to the inaugural event. Residents, families, friends, and community members were invited to the event (Image: Supplied) Building on the event's success, the care home now plans to make it a regular occurrence, with similar events scheduled every quarter. The next disco is now set to take place in August. Those who are interested in booking a place are advised to call the care home on 01900 872257 or email The care home plans to make their Dementia Discos a regular occurrence (Image: Supplied) Kim Whelan, the care home's general manager, said: "The Dementia Disco is a fantastic way to connect with others in a relaxed and supportive environment. "It's wonderful to see the power of music bring joy and reminiscence for those living with dementia, their families, and caregivers. "Everyone is welcome - we're really looking forward to making more friends in our local community. "If anyone is unable to make it on the day but would like to pop in for a chat and a cup of tea, our doors are always open." The next Dementia Disco is set to take place in August (Image: Supplied) A family member said: "We enjoyed the Dementia Disco so much and we are really looking forward to the next one. "Everyone had an amazing time and it was a wonderful and rare opportunity to turn back the clock and have some fun with our loved ones." Newlands Care Centre is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK's largest care providers. The care home provides nursing and dementia care for 52 short and long-term residents. For more information about Newlands Care Centre, visit
Wales Online
27-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Welsh 100-year-old war veteran's family say he's been ‘forgotten'
Welsh 100-year-old war veteran's family say he's been 'forgotten' Dennis Steer, who lives in Llanelli, is one of Wales' oldest surviving war veterans but his family say he doesn't receive nearly enough recognition One of Wales' oldest war veterans Dennis Steer isn't invited to any official events despite his outstanding service during the Second World War, his family say (Image: Barchester Healthcare ) The family of a 100-year-old Welsh war veteran who served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War say he has been forgotten. Dennis Steer, who lived in Swansea and Cowbridge and now lives at a care home in Llanelli near his son and daughter-in-law in Pembrokeshire, served with the Royal Navy between 1942 and 1948. Dennis, who will be 101 in July, is now registered blind but still remembers the wartime years vividly and reels off countless stories from his Hafan Y Coed care home. As part of the recent celebrations for VE Day recognising 80 years since the end of the Second World War Dennis has given talks to local schoolchildren and his family say they're pleased to see him getting some sort of acknowledgment for his years of service. Dennis explained how he joined the navy at 18 because he felt it was 'the most attractive of all the forces' and told of how his journey began with six months of intensive training at Butlin's holiday camp which had been repurposed as a makeshift military training base. He qualified as a wireless operator, a role that played a critical part in naval communications using Morse code. "It was a very skilled job,' he said. "I had to be able to transmit and understand at least 20 words per minute." Following his training he was assigned to active duty and remembers the end of the war, though his service continued beyond that point, taking him to east Africa where fighting with Japanese forces continued. Article continues below Dennis with his mother Vera Bevan Steer (Image: Barchester Healthcare ) Dennis (left) with his brother Bevan Henry Steer (Image: Barchester Healthcare ) One of his most harrowing memories was from his first naval assignment when the ship struck an iceberg and had to be abandoned during a fierce storm. 'We had to jump ship - it was quite frightening,' he said. He later served on a vessel identified as MMS1005 which he remembers was eventually gifted to the Russians after the war. Now 100, Dennis remains immensely proud of his service and the medals he earned which are kept safe by his family. But his family say he isn't recognised enough for what he did. Daughter-in-law Bethan explained she can't recall Dennis ever having been invited to any official commemorations or remembrance events despite being one of Wales' last remaining WW2 veterans. 'The veterans were invited to Westminster on VE Day and Dennis wasn't, which was such a shame,' she said. 'Do you have to request to go, or do you get invited? He didn't receive anything at all. 'The care home made a bit of a fuss of him for VE Day because he's their only veteran, and that was lovely to see. We were delighted to see that. We thought: 'Yes, why shouldn't he have some recognition?' 'The home has got him talking to schoolchildren now. He went out with them on the minibus and met some schoolchildren to talk about his experiences. Article continues below 'He's getting a little bit of recognition now and he's shocked, bless him. But it really is about time. He deserves to be recognised.' Marie Spires, who works at the care home where Dennis lives, said: "His life is a testament to resilience and duty, and it is a privilege to have such a living piece of history among us at Hafan Y Coed."
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Care home to host Dementia Disco for residents and community
A CARE home will host a disco for residents with dementia. Iverley View Care Home in Stourbridge will host the first Dementia Disco on Friday (May 23) at 2.30pm. The initiative was created by the activities team at the care home, who noticed how much the residents enjoy dancing and singing. The event will take place during Dementia Action Week. Relatives, friends, and members of the community are invited to join the residents at the disco. Amanda Morgan Bennett, general manager, said: "The Dementia Disco will be a fantastic way to connect with others in a relaxed and supportive environment. "We know the power of music brings joy and reminiscence for those living with dementia, their families, and caregivers. "Everyone is welcome - we're really looking forward to making more friends in our local community. "If anyone is unable to make it on the day but would like to pop in for a chat and a cup of tea, our doors are always open." The home is operated by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK's largest care providers. It provides residential and dementia care for 55 residents, offering both respite breaks and long-term stays. Anyone interested in attending the disco is asked to contact the care home on 01562 569350 or email to book a place.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wiltshire care home celebrated VE Day anniversary with 1940s tea party
A care home celebrated the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day with a 1940s tea party. Wingfield Care Home in Trowbridge was decked out in red, white, and blue, with residents and staff dressed in 1940s attire. The afternoon was filled with big band music, dancing, and a feast of freshly-baked biscuits, sandwiches, cakes, and pastries, prepared by the head chef. The residents also observed the national two-minute silence and listened to Churchill's iconic speech and an address from the Queen. Read more: Approval given for new Wetherspoons in Bath Ansitha Sasi, general manager at Wingfield, said: "Many of our residents can remember the end of the war and we all know what it meant for our country so we wanted to celebrate the date and listen to our residents' memories of the war and the experiences they lived through." One resident said: "I remember all the family gathering around the radio to listen to Churchill's speech telling us the war was over, it still gives me goosebumps now, such an important date. "It was wonderful to reminisce and to celebrate with all the staff and residents here, we've all had such fun and lots of cake." Wingfield Care Home is part of Barchester Healthcare, which provides care for more than 13,000 residents across 265 homes and hospitals.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
'Whale of a time' on special canal day out
RESIDENTS of a Ross-on-Wye care home enjoyed a canal cruise. The Ross Court residents sailed from Frampton-on-Severn on the Spirit of Freedom, along the Gloucester-Sharpness Canal. They stopped at a scenic picnic spot in Purton, where they enjoyed a meal prepared by the home's hospitality team. Agda-Claudia Vasilateanu, general manager of Ross Court, said: "Our residents had a whale of a time on the canal cruise. "Adventures that take place outside of the home are a regular event for the residents, and we always ask for ideas on where they would best like to go. "The day was a lot of fun, residents were able to enjoy a beautiful day on the canal which was quite therapeutic, thankfully the weather held out." Ross Court Care Home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK's largest care providers. It provides residential care for 37 residents, from respite care to long-term stays.
