Valentine’s Day with Love and Roses
At Fairways Care Home, Valentine’s Day is more than just a date on the calendar—it’s a heartfelt celebration of love, support, and caring. This year, the home embraced the occasion in the only way they know how: with kindness, warmth, and a touch of floral beauty.
To make the day extra special, Fairways Care Home celebrated by saying it with roses. Each resident received a beautiful bloom, a simple yet meaningful way to express appreciation and love for one another. The home was filled with smiles as everyone exchanged kind words and gestures, reinforcing the sense of community that makes Fairways such a wonderful place to be.
“The joy on our residents’ faces was priceless,” shared a team member. “It’s amazing how a single flower can bring so much happiness and remind us all of the importance of love and connection.”
Beyond the roses, the day was filled with heartfelt conversations, warm embraces, and cherished moments that made the occasion truly memorable. It was a lovely reminder that love is not just for one day, but something to be celebrated and shared every day.
At Fairways Care Home, the spirit of Valentine’s Day lives on year-round, in every act of kindness and every caring gesture. This year’s celebration was yet another beautiful example of the love and support that makes the home so special.
Care Home Welcomes Spring
Gabriel Court Care Home Welcomes Spring with a Beautiful Flower Arranging Activity
At Gabriel Court Care Home, residents and staff embraced a favourite pastime to brighten a gloomy February day—flower arranging! This delightful activity brought smiles, conversation, and a touch of Spring magic to the home, lifting spirits and reminding everyone of the beauty of nature.
The stunning blooms added a splash of colour and vibrancy, making the home feel warm and inviting. Residents carefully arranged flowers in vases, enjoying the process of creating something beautiful together. The pretty pinks of the roses were a dream, while the delicious scents filled the air—a sweet reminder of nature’s charm.
“This activity was such a joy for everyone involved,” shared a member of the Gabriel Court Care Home team. “It’s amazing how something as simple as flowers can brighten our day and bring so much positivity.”
As the first signs of Spring began to emerge, this flower arranging session served as a wonderful reminder of renewal and joy. It was a lovely way to connect, be creative, and welcome the changing seasons with open hearts.
Week of Friendly Competition
The Old Rectory Care Home enjoyed a fun-filled day of classic games, proving that a little friendly competition and laughter are the perfect ingredients for a great time!
The excitement began with a relaxed twist on darts, as residents took their aim right from their armchairs. The challenge of landing on the perfect number without standing up made for an entertaining and lighthearted competition.
The week continued with bingo night brought an extra layer of excitement, with residents eagerly listening out for their lucky numbers. The anticipation built with each call, and the thrill of shouting “Bingo!” was made even sweeter with fabulous prizes up for grabs.
And of course, no games week would be complete without a classic round of Snakes and Ladders. Rolling the dice, climbing ladders, and narrowly avoiding those tricky snakes kept everyone on their toes, all while keeping cosy in their comfy chairs.
With a week filled with friendly competition, shared laughter, and heartwarming moments, residents at The Old Rectory Care Home proved that the best games are the ones played together.
New Year Good Fortune
Mountside Care Home embraced the spirit of Chinese New Year with a day full of joy, discovery, and creative activities, making it a truly memorable celebration.
The festivities began with an exploration of the Chinese zodiac, where residents uncovered their lucky animal and the unique personality traits associated with it. The excitement was palpable as they learned more about what their zodiac sign reveals about them, sparking lively discussions and plenty of laughter.
Next, it was time to put chopstick skills to the test with the much-anticipated Chopsticks Challenge! Residents enthusiastically took on the task, using chopsticks to pick up small objects—an activity that proved to be both entertaining and rewarding. The challenge sparked cheerful competition and lots of laughter, making it a highlight of the day.
Adding a touch of creativity to the celebration, everyone took part in crafting beautiful lanterns, a traditional symbol of hope and prosperity. These stunning, hand-decorated lanterns brightened up the home and added a vibrant festive atmosphere to the occasion.
As Mountside Care Home welcomed the Year of the Snake, residents embraced the values of good fortune, health, and joy, setting the tone for a wonderful year ahead.
Popcorn Day Celebrations
Fairways Care Home enjoyed a delightful day of fun and reminiscence as they celebrated National Popcorn Day with a series of creative activities and, of course, plenty of delicious popcorn!
Adding a creative twist to the festivities, residents took part in fun and engaging activity inspired by popcorn, an art project themed around popcorn designed to bring a burst of colour and joy to the day.
The day was filled with colourful moments and joyful laughter as everyone shared fond memories of trips to the movies, recalling the excitement of sitting in a darkened cinema with a bag of popcorn in hand.
The creative activity was a wonderfully uplifting way to brighten the day proving popcorn is more than just a simple snack—it’s a symbol of togetherness.
National Popcorn Day at Fairways Care Home proved that even the simplest things in life can bring immense joy, laughter, and a sense of connection through shared memories.
Chinese New Year Traditions
Gabriel Court Care Home ushered in the Chinese New Year in style, embracing the spirit of the occasion with a vibrant celebration filled with culture, creativity, and community spirit.
The festivities kicked off with an engaging Chinese New Year quiz, where everyone tested their knowledge of traditions, zodiac signs, and cultural customs. This was followed by an exciting journey of self-discovery as everyone learned about their Chinese zodiac signs and what they symbolise.
No celebration would be complete without delicious treats, and residents enjoyed an array of tasty Chinese snacks, sampling flavours that are central to the holiday's traditions. Adding to the festive joy, red envelopes filled with chocolate were shared – a fun and symbolic nod to the token of good fortune.
To add to the experience everyone enjoyed a relaxing and invigorating Tai Chi session, embracing the gentle, flowing movements that promote balance, relaxation, and well-being.
This wonderful celebration not only brought joy to residents and staff but also provided a meaningful opportunity to connect with different cultures, appreciate traditions, and create lasting memories together.
Brightened by Sainsbury’s Donation
Fairways Care Home in New Romney were treated to a delightful surprise when their local Sainsbury’s generously donated a beautiful selection of flowers. What started as an ordinary day quickly blossomed into an uplifting experience filled with creativity, colour, and joy.
The unexpected donation sparked a flurry of floral arranging, with everyone eagerly getting involved in crafting bouquets to decorate the home. The activity, which encouraged both creativity and conversation, transformed the care home into a vibrant space, filled with the sweet scent of fresh flowers and plenty of smiles.
The very welcome donation was featured in Kent News Online, highlighting the impact that small acts of kindness can have on care home communities. The coverage celebrated the partnership between local businesses and care homes, showcasing how thoughtful initiatives can enhance the well-being of older adults.
Fairways Care Home hopes to continue collaborating with local businesses to bring more moments of joy to their care community, proving that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a big difference.
Funday Monday Spreads Joy on Blue Monday
While many braced themselves for the gloom of “Blue Monday,” often dubbed the most depressing day of the year, Mountside Care Home in Hastings had other ideas — Funday Monday!
The initiative, designed to uplift spirits and bring residents together, featured a day packed with laughter, games, music, and creative activities. From lively singalongs to arts and crafts sessions, Mountside Care Home buzzed with energy, proving that even the greyest of days can be transformed into moments of happiness.
The Funday initiative was recently featured in the Sussex Express, highlighting how small changes in mindset and activity planning can make a significant impact on well-being. The story captured the spirit of the event and showcased how care homes Mountside are fostering vibrant, positive communities.
With the success of Funday Monday, Mountside Care Home is now planning to make it a regular tradition—spreading joy not just on Blue Monday but throughout the year.
A Perfect 10 on carehome.co.uk
Our New carehome.co.uk Score
Gabriel Court Care Home, Kettering a Perfect 10 on the prestigious carehome.co.uk review website! This incredible recognition, with a top score of 10, is a testament to the dedication, compassion, and hard work of our amazing team, who go above and beyond to ensure our residents feel supported, cared for, and truly at home.
Our Managers Reaction
David Merry, Manager at Gabriel Court Care Home, Kettering said: “Receiving such glowing reviews is the highest compliment we could ask for. It’s these heartfelt words of appreciation that motivate us to continue delivering exceptional care and companionship every day.”
“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took the time to share their feedback on carehome.co.uk. Your kind words mean the world to us and inspire us to keep raising the bar in everything we do.” Said David.
Our carehome.co.uk Reviews
Here’s what some of our reviews have said:
“Really happy with the home. I could see staff there available to support him all the time. We sat in the lounge and had a chat and some tea, and there were lots of other people in the lounge with him to keep him company. He told me that if he needed anything, the staff were always around to help.”
These words are a testament to the dedication of our staff and the supportive, family-like environment at Gabriel Court Care Home, Kettering. We strive to create a space where residents feel not only cared for but truly at home.
“I don’t get to visit often as I live overseas, but Gabriel Court Care Home, Kettering a Perfect 10 had such a homely feel. I felt like I was back visiting her in her little bungalow rather than in a care home. She is cared for and happy, which was lovely to see. She is also less stressed out as she has people looking after her all the time.”
Our reviews highlight the peace of mind that comes with knowing your loved ones are receiving the best care possible. At Gabriel Court Care Home, Kettering we prioritize creating a relaxed, comforting environment where our residents can thrive.
A Blooming Surprise from Sainsbury's!
We were delighted to receive a wonderful donation of flowers from Sainsbury's, and they brought so much joy and colour to our day!
As soon as the blooms arrived, Joan couldn’t resist diving into her favourite activity – flower arranging. With her expert touch and creative eye, Joan transformed the flowers into stunning arrangements that brightened up every corner of our home.
Watching Joan work with such passion and precision was a treat for everyone, and it was a lovely reminder of how simple joys can make a big impact.
Flowers have a special way of lifting spirits, sparking creativity, and bringing people together, and this thoughtful donation gave us all a reason to smile.
A big thank you to Sainsbury's for their kindness and generosity – your blooms have truly brightened our day in every way!