The Fernes Care Home - Barchester Healthcare

28/09/2025

🍂✨ Getting creative down memory lane… ✨🍂

Our lovely residents have been busy painting autumn leaves in beautiful seasonal colours. Soon, their artwork will come together in a special autumn garland to brighten our home. 🍁🎨

Painting isn’t just about creativity – it brings so many wonderful benefits for people living with dementia:
💭 Encourages self-expression and sparks memories
🧠 Stimulates the brain and supports cognitive function
😊 Lifts mood and reduces anxiety
🤲 Promotes fine motor skills and coordination
👥 Fosters social connection and a sense of achievement

We can’t wait to see their garland come to life – a celebration of creativity, memory and the beauty of autumn. 🍂❤️

26/09/2025

A huge thank you to all our residents, families, and friends who joined us for our Macmillan Coffee Morning today! 💚 Together we raised an amazing £200.18 to support such a worthy cause.

Congratulations to our winners – our very own Deputy Manager who won the Macmillain square game - winning the hamper 🎁 and a resident’s family member who guessed the closest to How many coffee beans were in the jar! (1286 ) ☕🎉.

It was a brilliant, social day here at The Fernes – full of laughter, community spirit and of course plenty of cake! 🍰✨

26/09/2025

☕💚 You’re Invited! 💚☕

Join us TODAY for our Macmillan Coffee Morning – a wonderful chance to enjoy delicious treats, a warm cuppa, and great company, all while raising money for such an important cause. 🌸

Every slice of cake and every sip of coffee will help support Macmillan Cancer Support, making a real difference for those who need it most. 💛

We’d love to see our families, friends, and community come together for this special cause 🧁✨

25/09/2025

🍂🚌 Our residents had a lovely outing today, enjoying the autumn sunshine on a trip to the garden centre! 🌞🌿

There was plenty of browsing, with some picking out little gifts for their families, before we all gathered for a well-deserved coffee and slice of cake. ☕🍰 Smiles all around and a wonderful way to spend a crisp autumn day! 💛

24/09/2025

🖌️ Virtual V&A Make-along 🎨

In celebration of National Day of Arts in Care Homes, residents and patients across the country enjoyed a wonderful V&A Virtual Make-along experience with Holly from the V&A Learning team and designer-artist Rafin Jannat.

Taking inspiration from the South Asia Gallery at the museum, everyone had the chance to experiment with paints and pigments made from everyday ingredients, creating their own unique artworks.

It was a calming, creative experience that everyone truly enjoyed. A big thank you to the Victoria and Albert Museum team for leading such an inspiring session!

Here are some of our favourite highlights. ✨

National Activity Providers Association

22/09/2025

⭐ We’re Finalists in the UK Customer Experience Awards ⭐

It’s awards season and we’re thrilled to share that our talented Customer Experience Team has been shortlisted in not one, but two categories in the prestigious UK Customer Experience Awards:

💡 Best Use of Customer Insight
💻 Best Use of Technology

We’re proud that Barchester Healthcare is the only company from the health sector to be recognised in either of these categories. The winners will be announced at Wembley in October – wish us luck!

Our nomination for Best Use of Customer Insight comes from our Tell Barchester survey, which gathers invaluable feedback each year from more than 13,500 residents, patients and their families. Every single piece of feedback helps us shape and improve the care and services we provide.

In the Best Use of Technology category, our new Connex CRM system, powered by Salesforce, has been recognised for transforming how we manage every customer interaction – making the care journey seamless.

We’re so proud of our team and grateful to everyone who shared their feedback with us.

22/09/2025

🏃🏼‍♀️Exercise 💪

We welcomed Monday morning with our popular stretch and exercise class on the top floor. Residents enjoyed a session focused on gentle stretching and strengthening movements, designed to support mobility, balance, and flexibility.

Beyond the physical benefits, the class also encourages social connection and sets a positive, uplifting tone for the day ahead. It was a wonderful way for everyone to begin the week with energy and focus. 💙

21/09/2025

World Alzheimer’s Day 2025 – Why It Matters More Than Ever 💜

World Alzheimer’s Day, observed annually on 21st September, is a global event dedicated to raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

With nearly 1 million people in the UK living with dementia, understanding, support and research have never been more important.

Alzheimer’s Day serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by individuals and families living with Alzheimer’s, and the importance of early diagnosis and intervention.

At Barchester, our commitment to dementia care goes beyond World Alzheimer’s Day. We strive to make a difference every day, providing compassionate support, innovative programmes, and expert care for residents, patients and families.

To find out more, please see our latest blog here: https://www.barchester.com/help-and-advice/world-alzheimers-day-2025-why-it-matters-more-ever-barchester

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20/09/2025

🌸☕ Macmillan Coffee Morning at The Fernes Care Home ☕🌸

Join us on Friday 26th September as we host our Macmillan Coffee Morning here at The Fernes! 💚

We’ll have a delicious selection of cakes, biscuits, and treats available throughout the day – all for small donations to help raise as much as possible for this amazing cause. 🍰🍪

We will also reveal our winners for the autumnal hamper and coffee bean competition- there’s still time to enter, both competitions are on reception desk 🤞🏻

Every cup of coffee and every slice of cake helps make a difference. Let’s come together to support Macmillan Cancer Support. 💚

We’d love to see you there!

18/09/2025

🎉✨ Bingo Fun with Gemma✨🎉

Our residents have been loving bingo so much that we’ve made it a regular fortnightly event – now happening every other Tuesday! 🗓️

There’s always plenty of laughter, friendly competition, and of course some prizes up for grabs🏆 – little treats for our residents to enjoy in their rooms afterwards. 💕

We can’t wait for the next game – eyes down, dabbers ready! 🎱

17/09/2025

🌟 Happy International Housekeeping Week! 🌟

This week, we celebrate and recognize the incredible ladies on our housekeeping team who keep our home shining bright every single day. 🧹✨

Your hard work, attention to detail, and caring touch make such a difference in the lives of our residents and staff. More than just keeping things clean, you create a safe, welcoming, and comfortable environment that truly feels like home. 💖

Not forgetting the wonderful carers who help with house keeping shifts also 😍

From all of us here at The Fernes THANK YOU for everything you do – we appreciate you today and every day! 🙏❤️

16/09/2025

⭐ Happy National Housekeeping Week ⭐

This week we’re celebrating the fantastic housekeeping teams across our care homes and hospitals.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to recognise their dedication to keeping everything spotless and creating a welcoming environment for residents, patients, families and visitors.

Thank you to all our colleagues for their continuous hard work and support – you truly make a difference every day.

16/09/2025

✨📚 Over the weekend we celebrated the magic of storytelling on Roald Dahl Day!

From Matilda to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, his stories continue to spark imagination, laughter, and joy across all ages. Our residents shared their favourite characters and enjoyed a day filled with whizzpopping fun, golden memories, and a touch of Dahl’s wonderful mischief. 💛

“Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” – Roald Dahl ✨

12/09/2025

🎉 Lotus Manor is Now Open 🎉

We’re excited to share that Lotus Manor Care Home in has opened its doors in style, with a Grand Opening performed by the Deputy Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Jane Tyson, in front of invited guests from the local community.

Our CEO, Dr Pete Calveley, and General Manager, Candy Guo, hosted the event and invited guests to view the stunning new 64-bed care home.

Designed with residents’ comfort in mind, Lotus Manor Care Home will offer residential support, respite stays and specialist dementia care, all delivered by a dedicated and passionate team of trained professionals.

Take a look at some of our favourite moments from the event. ✨

11/09/2025

🚑 Celebrating Emergency Services Day 🚒👏

Residents, patients, colleagues and visitors marked this year’s Emergency Services Day in style, recognising the contribution of local emergency services, volunteers and heroes.

Our homes and hospitals hosted a variety of community events, from coffee mornings to afternoon garden parties, inviting emergency services personnel to join for hot drinks and delicious home-made cakes.

Everyone had a wonderful time, visiting local emergency services sites, engaging in conversations and sharing inspirational stories of emergency services heroes, both past and present.

09/09/2025

Understanding Dementia: 5 Common Myths

There are still many misconceptions about dementia, which can make it more difficult for people to feel supported or properly understood.

As part of World Alzheimer's Month, which takes place every September, we're raising awareness by addressing some of the most common myths surrounding the condition.

You can read the full article here: https://www.barchester.com/help-and-advice/blog/common-myths-surrounding-dementia

08/09/2025

✨ Celebrating Veteran-friendly Status ✨

Staff and residents at Wimborne Care Home in are celebrating because the home has achieved veteran-friendly status!

Wimborne has strong links to the military and is home to several ex-servicemen and women. At the start of 2025, the home proudly pledged its support to the Veteran-Friendly Framework and has been working towards Veteran-Friendly Status ever since in order to best serve its military residents and their families.

The Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) was launched in October 2023, with the aim of tackling loneliness and isolation, and delivering improved health and wellbeing for over 25,000 veterans living in care homes across England.

Sarah Peach, General Manager at Wimborne Care Home, commented: “There are eight different standards to work through in order to achieve Veteran Friendly Status so you do need to be committed. But if like me and my team, you are passionate then it is a joy to complete and very informative. We have all loved doing it, meeting new people and taking part in charity events for veterans. We all thought it was an important step for a home like ours with so many links to the military and I know our team are delighted that we have been able to do this for our residents and their loved ones.”

What a fantastic achievement. Congratulations, Wimborne Care Home - Barchester Healthcare! 👏

04/09/2025

⭐ LaingBuisson 2025 Award Finalist ⭐

We’re delighted to announce that we’ve been shortlisted for the ‘Care Home Group of the Year’ category at the prestigious LaingBuisson Awards.

Now in their 20th year, the awards recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements in the UK health and social care industry.

With more than 400 entries submitted across each category, being named a finalist is a real honour.

This recognition is a true reflection of the dedication, hard work and compassion of all our teams and colleagues across Barchester – a big thank you for everything they do each day! 👏

The winners will be announced on the 20th November 2025 at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London.

LaingBuisson LaingBuisson News

03/09/2025

✨🎭 Bringing the Fringe to Strachan House ✨🎵

Residents, families and visitors at Strachan House Care Home in enjoyed an afternoon of fantastic performances as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Care Fest.

Now in its third year, the Fringe Care Fest brings the magic of the Fringe directly to care home residents who can no longer visit the festival venues.

Talented singer and pianist Jacqui Randa warmed up the crowd with her excellent keyboard skills and cheeky anecdotes. After a short break for more prosecco in the sun, everyone relaxed to the wonderful voice of Duane Forrest.

It was an amazing experience, complete with a special party menu from the home’s kitchen team, plenty of drinks – and of course, lots of dancing.

A big thank you to all involved in making this event such a success. 👏

02/09/2025

⭐ A Perfect 10! ⭐

We’re thrilled to share that Iverley View Care Home in has received a 10 out of 10 score on the independent care home reviews site, carehome.co.uk, after a series of glowing reviews.

This fantastic achievement places Iverley View 7th out of 7,238 care homes across England and 1st in their county.

A big thank you to the team who work incredibly hard to provide the highest standard of care and support to residents and their families. Truly well deserved. 👏

.co.uk

29/08/2025

🐾 Residents Welcome Furry Friends 🐾

Our care homes and hospitals recently marked National Dog Day in style by hosting a range of activities for all to enjoy, including dog shows, pet therapy sessions and community events.

From four-legged companions to wagging tails and friendly competitions, it was a wonderful day that brought joy and smiles to everyone.

Take a look at some of our favourite moments. ✨