Bryn Ivor Lodge Care Home - Barchester Healthcare

14/01/2025

👏 Life-Changing Donation 👏

Staff and residents at Wilsmere House Care Home in are celebrating their hero colleague, Fajaz, who made the courageous decision to give a person in need the ultimate Christmas present.

Just before Christmas, and with the blessing of the management team at Wilsmere House, Fajaz, a Carer at the home, made a stem cell donation in order to give someone a life-changing gift.

Stem cell donation has the potential to save lives, particularly for individuals battling life-threatening conditions like cancer. Fajaz is proud to have had the opportunity to contribute in this way and to make a real difference to someone's life. To him the decision was a no-brainer, he could help and so he did just that.

Fajaz would like to encourage others to consider registering as stem cell donors. He commented: “The need is urgent, and by coming forward, you could help give someone a second chance at life. Every donor makes a difference, and the act of donating can offer hope to individuals and families facing challenging battles with cancer.”

Lili Cocue, General Manager at the home, said: “We are all so proud of Fajaz, he is such a caring individual and he is using his selfless act to shine a light on the need for more donors. He truly is a wonderful individual and we all want to congratulate him on his bravery and for his compassion.”

To find out more about life at Wilsmere House Care Centre - Barchester Healthcare, please visit their website: https://www.barchester.com/home/wilsmere-house-care-centre

10/01/2025

Join us for our open day on Saturday, January 18th! This is an excellent opportunity to explore what we have to offer. We are excited to showcase our beautiful home and activities! We look forward to welcoming you!

If you would like to know more about our home and the activities we provide the please call us on 01633 681759 or visit our website https://www.barchester.com/home/bryn-ivor-lodge-care-home?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=local

09/01/2025

🎉⭐ Excellent Ratings ⭐🎉

We’re thrilled to share that Llys-Y-Tywysog Care Home in Swansea has achieved Excellent ratings across the board following a recent inspection by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) – the highest possible ratings!

As part of its pilot silent ratings scheme, CIW inspected Llys-Y-Tywysog in October 2024 and rated the home as Excellent in all four areas of the inspection: well-being, care & support, environment, and leadership & management.

The report highlighted an exceptionally strong and visible management team, a person-centred culture, and the genuinely welcoming and supportive approach of the skilled staff, which ensured residents felt happy, well cared for and respected. The home environment was also praised for being homely, immaculately clean and very safe.

A huge congratulations to everyone at Llys-Y-Tywysog on this fantastic achievement! 👏

To find out more about life at Llys Y Tywysog Care Home - Barchester Healthcare, please visit their website: https://www.barchester.com/home/llys-y-tywysog-care-home

09/01/2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELVIS!! 🎉 Yesterday, we hosted an unforgettable celebration for the iconic Elvis Presley’s 90th Birthday, and it was nothing short of spectacular! The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as fans from all around gathered to pay tribute to the King of Rock 'n' Roll.

Victor Andrews tribute to EP led the festivities with his incredible tribute performance, capturing the essence of Elvis with his stunning vocals and charisma. Clad in a striking outfit reminiscent of Elvis's most famous looks, he had the crowd dancing and singing along to all the classics!

After the show we shared stories about Elvis's legendary performances and how his music has touched our lives over the years.
It was an afternoon filled with laughter, joy, and a deep appreciation for the unforgettable Elvis Presley! 🎶✨

If you would like to know more about our home and the activities we provide the please call us on 01633 681759 or visit our website https://www.barchester.com/home/bryn-ivor-lodge-care-home?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=local

08/01/2025

🥇 Sporting Legends Introduce Residents to Boccia 🏀

Paralympian David Smith OBE and wheelchair basketball superstar James Coyle-King are taking time out from winning medals to teach colleagues and residents at Awel-Y-Mor Care Home in Swansea a wonderful new game called Boccia. Similar to bowls and petanque, boccia is a precision target sport played indoor with soft leather balls.

Residents at the home have been getting to grips with the new sport, with tuition from James and David organised by Swansea Council’s Sport and Health department. The athletes have been explaining the tactics of the games and the different types of throws. David very kindly gifted the residents their own set of balls so they can practise between training sessions.

James plays wheelchair basketball for Swansea Storm and David represents Team GB playing Boccia in the BC1 category and also the mixed team. The BC1 category is for athletes with significant impairment of all four limbs and the trunk. David has won 5 Paralympic medals, 10 World Championship and 10 European medals so the residents feel very privileged to have him coach them.

To find out more about life at Awel Y Mor Care Home - Barchester Healthcare, please visit their website: https://www.barchester.com/home/awel-y-mor-care-centre

08/01/2025

At Bryn Ivor Lodge, we recognize that meal times can sometimes feel lonely, and we truly believe that sharing a meal can bring warmth and connection. We would love to invite you to join us for a delicious hot meal in the company of others.

If you're interested in learning more about home and the engaging activities we offer, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 01633 681759 or visit our website at
https://www.barchester.com/home/bryn-ivor-lodge-care-home?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=local.

07/01/2025

🎉 New Year’s Wisdom and Resolutions 🎉🤩

Residents, patients and colleagues across our care services have been sharing their advice and resolutions for the year ahead, spreading inspiration and positivity to kickstart 2025 on the right note.

From smiling more to spending quality time with loved ones, their words of wisdom are as heart-warming as they are motivating.

What’s your New Year’s advice? Let us know in the comments below! 💬✨

🔗 www.barchester.com

06/01/2025

🎉🏆 Barchester Goes Gaming Winners 🎉🏆

We’re excited to announce the 2024 winners of Barchester Goes Gaming, our virtual game show series.

Throughout the year, residents, patients and colleagues had a fantastic time participating in our monthly virtual gaming events, testing their knowledge with interactive quizzes, bingo and countdown challenges.

And the winners are:

⭐ Newlands Care Centre - Barchester Healthcare
⭐ Challoner House Care Home - Barchester Healthcare
⭐ The Manor Care Home - Barchester Healthcare
⭐ Hickathrift House Care Home - Barchester Healthcare
⭐ Alice Grange Care Home - Barchester Healthcare

Huge congratulations to all winners and runners up! 👏

We can’t wait to see you at the 2025 gaming events.



🔗 www.barchester.com

06/01/2025

Get ready to rock and roll! 🎉 Join us for an unforgettable celebration of Elvis Presley's 90th Birthday on Wednesday, January 8th! This is an amazing opportunity for our local community to come together and honor the King of Rock 'n' Roll! Let’s make it a day to remember filled with music, fun, and good vibes! Don’t miss out!

If you would like to know more about our home and the activities we provide the please call us on 01633 681759 or visit our website https://www.barchester.com/home/bryn-ivor-lodge-care-home?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=local

03/01/2025

🌟🎉 Welcoming 2025 with a Bang 🎉🌟

Spirits were high as special celebrations and themed events took place across our care homes and hospitals to mark the start of the New Year.

Residents, patients, friends, families and guests took part in a variety of fun-filled activities, including dance and karaoke sessions, live entertainment and interactive magic shows.

Our talented chefs went above and beyond to create show-stopping feasts of delicious sweet and savoury dishes, complemented by celebratory drinks.

Happy New Year! Here’s to a fantastic 2025! ✨

Take a look at some of the highlights in the photos below.

🔗 https://www.barchester.com/

02/01/2025

Welcome to the vibrant Pipes and Zimmers Men's Club! Get ready for an action-packed experience where you can immerse yourself in a variety of games like dominos, darts, and card games. It's the perfect opportunity to meet new people and create lasting friendships while enjoying some friendly competition.

We also enjoyed our True or False quiz afternoon! These lively sessions are filled with intriguing questions and loads of laughter, making it a fantastic way to test your knowledge while having a great time with other residents. It's nice to see new friendships growing through this club!

If you would like to know more about our home and the activities we provide the please call us on 01633 681759 or visit our website https://www.barchester.com/home/bryn-ivor-lodge-care-home?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=local

01/01/2025

31/12/2024

Happy New Year, everyone! Wow, what an absolutely incredible party we just had! It was a blast singing and dancing together, creating unforgettable memories filled with laughter and joy. I loved seeing everyone so carefree and having the time of their lives! Here’s to many more thrilling moments and amazing celebrations in the year to come! Let the fun continue!

If you would like to know more about our home and the activities we provide the please call us on 01633 681759 or visit our website https://www.barchester.com/home/bryn-ivor-lodge-care-home?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=local

30/12/2024

🌟 Exciting News 🌟

We’re thrilled to share that Highfield Care Home in Tadcaster and Burwood Grange Care Home in Weybridge have both been shortlisted as finalists for the Design Healthcare Awards 2025! 🏆

• Highfield is a finalist in the Best Exterior Design category.

• Burwood Grange, a finalist in two categories: Best Exterior and Best Architectural Design.

The Healthcare Design Awards recognise innovation and excellence in the design of care facilities.

A huge congratulations to the teams at Highfield Care Home - Barchester Healthcare and Burwood Grange Care Home - Barchester Healthcare 👏

29/12/2024

We were genuinely touched and filled with gratitude as local church members came together to serenade us with beautiful music today. The atmosphere was vibrant and lively, bursting with energy as we joyfully sang along to our favorite holiday carols, sharing in the spirit of the season. It was a delightful experience that fostered community and warmth.

In the past few weeks, we have engaged in a series of festive activities that brought us together in celebration. From baking delicious holiday treats to decorating our gathering space with sparkling lights and ornaments, each event has been a joyful occasion. We also enjoyed heartfelt storytelling sessions, where members shared cherished holiday traditions. Here are a few of the standout moments from these wonderful activities that we will cherish forever!

If you would like to know more about our home and the activities we provide the please call us on 01633 681759 or visit our website https://www.barchester.com/home/bryn-ivor-lodge-care-home?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=local

27/12/2024

Say CHEESE!!! We had an amazing Christmas photoshoot today, the pictures turned out fantastic! The atmosphere was filled with laughter and holiday cheer as everyone posed with big smiles and festive props.

We had a surprise visit from the one and only GRINCH! True to his character, he tried to steal the Christmas spirit from our gathering. But we weren't going to let him get away with it! Amidst the cheerful chaos, the mischievous Grinch threw candy at everyone, rolled toilet paper across the floor, and even banged on our piano, creating quite the ruckus! It was a hilarious scene of mayhem, but our residents and visitors couldn't help but love him for the grumpy yet entertaining Grinch he is. It truly added a unique twist to our festivities!

If you would like to know more about our home and the activities we provide the please call us on 01633 681759 or visit our website https://www.barchester.com/home/bryn-ivor-lodge-care-home?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=local

27/12/2024

🎄 Wishing you all a Holly Jolly Christmas 🎅🎁

Residents, patients, families and friends, colleagues and local community members came together to celebrate Christmas in style.

The Christmas parties were in full swing across our care homes and hospitals with delicious festive food, bubbly, live music, carol singers and of course lots of gifts, all delivered straight from the North Pole.

It was a truly wonderful day, filled with joy and Christmas cheer!

Please see a selection of photos below.

To find out more about life at our care services, please visit our website: https://www.barchester.com

23/12/2024

SANTA STOP HERE!! Today, we were thrilled to have a special visit from the one and only St. Nicholas, who took the time to double-check his nice list. It was such a delightful occasion as he made his way through our community, spreading joy and cheer to everyone he encountered. The warmth and excitement that filled the air during Santa’s visit were truly heartwarming, and his jolly laughter could be heard echoing through the halls. Each resident felt the magic of the season, knowing they were all a part of the nice list. It was a beautiful reminder of the spirit of giving and the joy that comes from coming together during the holidays!

If you would like to know more about our home and the activities we provide then give us a call on 01633 681759 or visit our website
https://www.barchester.com/home/bryn-ivor-lodge-care-home?&mh_matchtype=p&mh_keyword=bryn%20ivor%20lodge%20care%20home&mh_adgroupid=57282799842&mh_network=g&mh_matchtype=p&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAsaS7BhDPARIsAAX5cSBHNwEWACminsWH1vSHKLiSpWflu4cR_xMkokqQ_OeVZhMRqxriChkaAtS3EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

23/12/2024

🎉 Bronwen Lewis at Plas-Y-Dderwen 🎉

Excitement was in the air at Plas-Y-Dderwen Care Home in Carmarthen as residents and staff welcomed the talented Welsh singer-songwriter Bronwen Lewis for a special afternoon of entertainment.

In a break from selling out gigs, Bronwen Lewis delighted everyone at Plas-Y-Dderwen by performing an intimate gig just for the staff, residents and their families. The whole home was blown away when they won Bronwen’s social media run competition to have their own private concert.

Everyone was amazed by her generosity in taking the time to come to the home and entertain them with her amazing vocals and her fabulous back catalogue of hits.

A fantastic time was had by all. 🎶🎄

To find out more about life at Plas Y Dderwen Care Home, please visit their website: https://www.barchester.com/home/plas-y-dderwen-care-home

Bronwen Lewis Music

20/12/2024

⭐ Global Award ⭐

We’re thrilled to announce that our Director of Nursing and Dementia, Julia Atherton, has won a Global Award as The Most Outstanding Director of Nursing in Residential Care in the World in 2024.

The Global Awards were created to celebrate and reward the best individual and company performances in Seniors Housing/Care Trends, Healthcare IT, Apps/Digital Innovation, Disability Housing and Care Services and the Medical Tourism sectors worldwide. The Awards recognise the rapid growth of these sectors worldwide, and the capacity of individuals to influence and set new performance standards across countries, regions and the world. The Awards focus on elevated performance; the creation of new business models; contrarian thinking; recognising and embracing new trends; market leadership; inspirational performance and the elevation of the customer experience.

Julia commented: “I always knew I wanted to be a nurse and every day when I wake, I reflect on how lucky I am to have a job that I have thoroughly enjoyed for 45 years and know that each day I can make a difference to a resident, patient or relative and my clinical experience leads and supports the Barchester clinical team to be the best in the social care sector.

“It makes me feel very privileged and humble that my nursing career and contribution to social care has been recognised nationally, my parents would have been so proud of me. I recognise that working for a great organisation like Barchester Healthcare means I am surrounded by some of the very best people in social care and I accept this award on behalf of all the nurses, carers and teams across Barchester that make my job so enjoyable and satisfying,” Julia added.

Congratulations, Julia! 👏

20/12/2024

We’re so excited to share that we made the news! A huge thank you to all our amazing stallholders, wonderful visitors, and lovely residents for making the fayre such a joyful and festive experience! And a special shoutout to our Santa for bringing magic to the grotto!

A Newport care home raised more than £400 with a festive fair.

19/12/2024

👏 Congratulations! 👏

We’re delighted to share the amazing cakes made by the winners of this year's Barchester Christmas Cake Competition.

This much-loved annual event invites residents, patients, colleagues and chefs to put their baking skills to the test, competing for the title of the most delicious and creative Christmas-themed cake in their division. Judged by Barchester’s Hospitality Team, the competition highlights the amazing talent across our care services.

The winning cakes captured the spirit of Christmas and were absolutely delicious.

Here are the winners and photos of their brilliant creations:

⭐ Chef Winners ⭐

• Braeburn Lodge Care Home - Barchester Healthcare
• Broadway Halls Care Home - Barchester Healthcare
• Beaufort Grange Care Home - Barchester Healthcare
• Red Oaks Care Home - Barchester Healthcare
• Forest Hill Care Home - Barchester Healthcare

⭐ Resident Winners ⭐

• Stamford Bridge Beaumont Care Home - Barchester Healthcare
• Marple Dale Care Centre - Barchester Healthcare
• Southerndown Care Home - Barchester Healthcare
• Hugh Myddelton House Care Centre - Barchester Healthcare
• Castle Keep Care Home - Barchester Healthcare

Huge congratulations to all winners and a big thank you to everyone who took part. 🎉

18/12/2024

NO DRAMA LLAMA!! Today was an unforgettable day as we welcomed Tolly and Freddy, two charming alpacas, along with Pickle, the adorable pygmy goat! The excitement in the air was palpable as we surprised the residents with these gentle and affectionate furry friends.

To everyone's delight, we brought along a basket of fresh, crunchy carrots, which became the highlight of the furry trio's visit. Tolly and Freddy approached us with their soft, curious eyes, eagerly taking the treats from our hands. As we fed them, their patience was remarkable; they stood quietly, savoring each carrot while enjoying the attention.

Residents gathered around, completely captivated, as we took turns petting their thick and fluffy coats. The alpacas’ fur was thick and incredibly soft, which made for a soothing experience for all involved. Laughter and smiles filled the room as everyone shared their joy in this unique opportunity to connect with these calm creatures.

Pickle, the lively pygmy goat, added an extra layer of fun, hopping around playfully and charming everyone with his antics. It was a heartwarming experience that left everyone enamored with our lovely visitors, and we couldn't have asked for a more perfect day filled with warmth, laughter, and furry love!

If you would like to know more about our home and the activities we provide please call us on 01633 681759 or visit our website

https://www.barchester.com/home/bryn-ivor-lodge-care-home?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=local

17/12/2024

The winner of our baking contest today is none other than the delightful MINCE PIES! A heartfelt thank you to the fantastic team at Paul Fosh Auctions for treating us to an array of mouthwatering bakes today! We had a wonderful time indulging in each scrumptious dessert, savoring the rich flavors and unique textures, as we scored them in a quest to determine our top pick. The residents couldn’t get enough of the warm, spiced goodness of the mince pies, which took the crown as their favorite. Hot on their heels were the luxuriously gooey chocolate brownies, which garnered a well-deserved 2nd place, and the charmingly festive shortbread biscuits, which captured our hearts in 3rd place! The room was alive with cheerful conversations and laughter, making this tasting experience a truly delightful occasion!

If you want to know more about our home and activities please give us a call on 01633 681759 or take a look at our website

https://www.barchester.com/home/bryn-ivor-lodge-care-home?&mh_matchtype=p&mh_keyword=bryn%20ivor%20lodge%20care%20home&mh_adgroupid=57282799842&mh_network=g&mh_matchtype=p&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA34S7BhAtEiwACZzv4dp-ydjmr4G8TTVW6AoOwMSAh65lvY__yLGuXNbVuuaRcv7AQX_utxoCJeMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

17/12/2024

🥇 Dignity & Respect Care Home of the Year 🥇

Congratulations to Atfield House Care Home in , London, for being crowned Dignity & Respect Care Home of the Year at this year’s National Care Awards.

Organised by Caring Times magazine, the National Care Awards celebrate the very best people and companies in the long-term social care sector, highlighting excellence and rewarding those who work tirelessly to provide consistently outstanding care.

The team from Atfield House attended the ceremony where their achievements were celebrated, and they were announced the winners of the Dignity & Respect Care Home of the Year category. The judges praised Atfield House as an exceptional service that places dignity and respect for its residents at the very heart of everything it does.

Congratulations to the team for this well-deserved recognition! 👏

To find out more about life at Atfield House Care Home - Barchester Healthcare, please visit their website: https://www.barchester.com/home/atfield-house-care-home

13/12/2024

🎉🎵 Emeli Sandé at Chestnut Gardens 🎵🎉

Excitement reached fever pitch when colleagues and residents at Chestnut Gardens Care Home in Purley welcomed A list singer-songwriter, Emeli Sandé, into their home for a wonderful afternoon of entertainment.

In a break from selling out arenas, internationally renowned singer Emeli Sandé Chestnut Gardens to entertain the residents, their families and guests, and sprinkle her Christmas magic along the way.

Everyone was blown away by Emeli’s generosity in taking the time to come to the home and entertain them with her amazing vocals and her fabulous back catalogue of hits. It really was a dream come true for the home.

Chestnut Gardens General Manager, Gayane Selimyan, commented: “We are so grateful to Emeli for offering to come and perform a concert just for us, we really had to pinch ourselves to believe it was happening! Everyone was so excited! We all feel incredibly blessed that singing royalty like Emeli came to visit us at Chestnut Gardens. It felt like the best Christmas present in the world and one I am sure we will remember and treasure forever. We all want to thank Emeli from the bottom of our hearts.”

Sheila, resident at the home, added: “Emeli has the most amazing voice, it was wonderful to hear her singing just for us. We all had the most fantastic time, it was so kind of her to come and visit us. It is all anyone can talk about; just how lucky we are that she chose our home to come and perform at! What an absolutely marvellous thing to happen!”

To find out more about life at Chestnut Gardens Care Home - Barchester Healthcare, please visit their website: https://www.barchester.com/home/chestnut-gardens-care-home

12/12/2024

We had some fantastic festive Jumpers for Christmas Jumper Day today! Residents and staff dressed up to add to our cheer around the home! We had Jumpers with lights, bells and all the glitter!
We had a great morning xmas crafting and adding to our tree decorations!
But the highlight of our day was our Festive Cocktails and Mocktails! Our most popular drink on the menu was warm Spiced Mulled Wine (alcohol free), followed closely by a classic Bailey's, next was our fresh and fragrant Mojito followed by our Whiskey Sours!

11/12/2024

Another fun day filled with music and creativity! Our Knit & Natter session transformed into a fantastic "Getting To Know Me" gathering! Cynthia, our Activities Assistant, worked her magic and helped the ladies craft adorable, personalized bracelets. The fun didn’t stop there—we belted out our favorite songs, with some spirited individuals getting up to dance and showing off their best moves! It was a vibrant celebration of laughter, friendship, and creativity!

If you would like to find out more about life at Bryn Ivor Lodge please call us on 01633 681759, or visit our website at https://www.barchester.com/home/bryn-ivor-lodge-care-home

11/12/2024

We are truly excited to share that we will once again be supporting Save the Children UK for Christmas Jumper Day this year. On the 12th of December, let's come together to celebrate the spirit of giving by wearing our favorite Christmas jumpers. Your contribution, big or small, can make a significant difference in the lives of children in need. We appreciate your support in this important cause! You can find more details
at https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/christmas-jumper-day

10/12/2024

🐧 Penguin Visit 🐧

Two very special guests waddled their way into the hearts of residents and colleagues at Ashcombe House Care Home in Basingstoke. Meet Widget and Two-dots, the adorable Humboldt penguins.

The charming duo delighted everyone as they roamed through the home, stopping for cuddles with residents, visitors and staff alike.

Their gentle nature brought immense joy and happiness to all. With sprats as their favourite treat, Widget and Two-dots were two very content penguins.

A big thank you to Amazing Animals, Heythrop Zoological Gardens for making this incredible experience possible. 👏

To find out more about life at Ashcombe House Care Home - Barchester Healthcare, please visit their website: https://www.barchester.com/home/ashcombe-house-care-home

10/12/2024

✨✨✨ Employee of the Month! ✨✨✨

We are thrilled to announce that Jay, our talented 2nd Chef, has been nominated as our Employee of the Month for November!

Though Jay hasn't been with us for long, she has already made a remarkable impression on both our team and our residents. Her delicious cooking and the wonderful cakes she creates bring so much joy to everyone around her. Jay truly listens to our residents, taking their suggestions to heart, and her dedication to her craft shines through in everything she does. Congratulations, Jay! We’re grateful for the positive impact you’ve made in such a short time!