Orchard House Care Centre

03/02/2026

👓 VR Brings Memories to Life 🕶️

Residents at Ashlar House Care Home in recently enjoyed a virtual reality session, visiting destinations of their choice around the world.

The experience sparked conversations and memories, with one resident sharing: “I never thought I’d see Venice again.”

The session also encouraged gentle movement and social interaction, supporting both physical activity and connection.

What a fantastic experience! ✨


Ashlar House Care Home - Barchester Healthcare

01/02/2026

February at Orchard House is all about togetherness celebration and meaningful moments

We are delighted to welcome our residents families and friends to join us throughout February for a wonderful programme of activities events and themed days designed to create connection joy and lasting memories

Here is what we have planned this month

Wednesday, 4th February
National Cupcake Day
A colourful and joyful afternoon decorating and enjoying delicious cupcakes together with tea and coffee in a warm and welcoming atmosphere

Tuesday, 10th February
Italian Themed Day
A full day celebrating all things Italian with beautiful piano music delicious Italian food a classic Italian film and a fun quiz to enjoy together

Wednesday, 11th February
Seated Boxercise
A gentle and energising seated Boxercise session led by expert instructor Mark Topgun suitable for all abilities and delivered from the comfort of an armchair

Saturday, 14th February
Valentine’s Day Celebration
A romantic afternoon filled with love laughter and live musical entertainment as we celebrate Valentine’s Day together

Monday, 16th February
Family and Residents Meeting
A friendly and important opportunity for residents and families to share ideas ask questions and have their voices heard over tea and biscuits

Tuesday, 17th February
Chinese New Year Celebration
Join us as we celebrate the Year of the Horse with decorations creative activities and traditional Chinese delicacies

Wednesday, 25th February
Bingo Bonanza
A lively virtual bingo session shown on the big screen in our lounge bringing excitement friendly competition and plenty of smiles

We look forward to welcoming you throughout February and sharing these special moments together at Orchard House

For more information or to book your place please contact our friendly team

30/01/2026

🌟 Recognition and Appreciation 🌟

Matt has been awarded a badge in recognition of his 10 years of service.
He has worked for the Barchester Healthcare Group for 10 years and has been a valued member of the Orchard House team for the past 10 months.

As our gardener, Matt gifts our residents with a beautiful, colourful garden that brings joy and wellbeing every day. 🌸🌿 His dedication and hard work truly make a difference to our community.

We would like to thank him sincerely for his commitment and outstanding contribution.
Thank you for being part of our team, Matt! 💚

28/01/2026

🤗 Hugs All Round for International Hug Day 🤗

International Hug Day was a hit across many of our care homes and hospitals up and down the country.

Teams made sure that everyone received a hug or two – from residents, patients and colleagues to families and visitors.

It was a lovely day. ✨

28/01/2026

✨✉️ Pen Pal Club at Orchard House Care Home

Our residents have been busy getting creative, making handmade cards for our Pen Pal project.

Writing, crafting and sharing kind words has been a wonderful way to stay connected with the community, and it’s brought lots of smiles along the way.

We love seeing how much joy a simple letter or card can bring 💛

27/01/2026

Thank you Island Echo 😁

Residents at Orchard House Care Home recently enjoyed a day out in the home’s brand new minibus, with visits to Costa Coffee and the popular Bear Café at Honor & Jeffrey Garden Centre on the Isle of Wight.

26/01/2026

👏 Christmas Gift Turns Out a Long-Lost Family Heirloom 👏

Betty, a resident at Queens Manor Care Home in , and her son Ivor were astonished to discover that a Christmas gift from care worker, Clarissa, was actually a long-lost family heirloom!

Clarissa found the book “Aye Ready! History of Edinburgh Fire Brigade, the Oldest Municipal Brigade in Britain” online and thought it would be a thoughtful gift for Betty, who often spoke of her father, Robert Thomas Wyllie, a 1930s Assistant Fire Officer.

When Betty showed the book to Ivor, he realised it was his own copy, originally belonging to his father and long thought lost. A true one-in-a-million coincidence!

Ivor shared: “I couldn’t believe it when Betty told me she had a copy of the book…”

Queens Manor Care Home - Barchester Healthcare

23/01/2026

Our residents enjoyed a wonderful outing in our brand new minibus to Costa Coffee and to the beautiful Bear Café at Honnor & Jeffrey Garden Centres on the Isle of Wight. ☕🌿

The coffee lovers were especially happy with the delicious Italian style coffee, and everyone loved the comfort and freedom our new minibus has already brought. 🚐✨

A huge thank you to Barchester Healthcare for making these meaningful experiences possible for our residents.

22/01/2026

🌟 National Activity Providers & Professionals
Week 🌟

It is National Activity Providers week and we would like to take this opportunity to recognise and thank our wonderful Life Enrichment team, Katie and Lewis for all of the fun and laughter they bring to the home.

We are proud of the unique, inventive activities and meaningful moments they bring to our residents every single day. They always go above and beyond their role and for this we are truly grateful.

Thank you for everything you both do 🌟



To find out more about life at Orchard House please visit: https://www.barchester.com/home/orchard-house-care-centre

22/01/2026

✨ Happy National Activity Providers Week ✨

Our care homes and hospitals up and down the country are celebrating National Activity Providers and Professionals Week, organised by the National Activity Providers Association and running from 19th to 23rd January this year.

Throughout the week, our Activities Coordinators and teams are taking part in a whole host of events, connecting and sharing ideas with teams nationwide.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our amazing Activities Coordinators and all colleagues who work tirelessly to provide our residents and patients with a wide range of engaging and stimulating activities.

Thank you for bringing joy and enrichment to everyone’s life. 👏

19/01/2026

1️⃣0️⃣2️⃣ Birthday Card Appeal 1️⃣0️⃣2️⃣

Prestbury Beaumont Care Home in has launched an appeal to help resident Margaret celebrate her 102nd birthday in style on January 26th.

A former professional ballroom dancer and championships winner, Margaret is hoping to receive at least 102 birthday cards to mark the occasion.

The home is inviting people near and far to send a card and help make this milestone birthday one to remember.

📌 Please send your cards to:

Margaret’s 102nd birthday
Prestbury Beaumont Care Home
Collar House Drive
Prestbury
Macclesfield
SK10 4AP

Every card received will help make this day extra special. ✨

Prestbury Beaumont Care Community - Barchester Healthcare

19/01/2026

🌟 Employee of the Month 🌟
Congratulations Musama Musonda!

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Musama Musonda as our Employee of the Month 👏💚

Musama, your dedication, kindness, and consistently high standards make a real difference every single day. You bring warmth, professionalism, and genuine care to everything you do, and this recognition is truly well deserved.

Thank you for all your hard work and for being such a valued member of our team. We are so lucky to have you!

18/01/2026

🌳🐿️ At Orchard House Care Home, we take special care not only of one another, but also of the animals around us. 🐦❄️

We are lucky to have squirrels living nearby, which we regularly feed and look after. As it is still cold and very much wintertime, our residents enjoyed making bird feeders in different shapes to help support our feathered friends during the colder months.

These small acts of kindness bring joy to our residents and help them stay connected with nature. 💚✨

16/01/2026

Even though it rained all day, we didn’t let the weather stop us 🌧️☕

We wrapped up warm, went out for coffee, laughed a lot, chatted even more, and truly enjoyed every moment of our outing. Sometimes it’s not about the sunshine it’s about the company ✨

Back at Orchard House, our residents then joined the Live Virtual Big Garden Bird Talk with Rob Magee from Gwent Wildlife Trust, streamed via Worcester Live. The talk was fascinating, relaxing and full of wonderful facts about birds, and everyone really enjoyed it 🐦

A perfect day of simple joys, good conversations, learning, and smiles just the way we like it 💛

🐦✨

13/01/2026

🎉 Words of Wisdom from Residents 🎉

Across our care homes and hospitals, residents, patients and colleagues have been sharing their thoughts, advice and resolutions for the year ahead – helping to spread positivity as we step into 2026.

From simple joys like smiling more and enjoying life’s little treats, to staying cheerful and raising a glass now and then, there really was something for everyone.

What’s your advice for the year ahead? Share it with us in the comments. 🗨️

12/01/2026

❄️ Going the Extra Mile: Wheatlands Care Home During the Snowstorm ❄️

Following a recent snowstorm, the team at Wheatlands Care Home in went the extra mile to support residents with several staff members staying overnight during the severe weather.

A resident shared: “They have been exceptional, giving us drinks and caring for us. The lights went on and off last night, but this didn’t stop them, they were incredible.”

During the disruption, the home also opened its doors to the local community and those affected by the snow, offering warmth, hot drinks, good food and a place to re-charge electrical devices.

Community spirit at its best. Thank you! 👏

Wheatlands Care Home

12/01/2026

Local Author Cheryl May Delights Residents During Storytelling 📚Week at Orchard House

Orchard House Care Home is celebrating Storytelling Week by welcoming local authors to share their stories with residents. Friday, the home was honoured to host local writer Cheryl May, who treated residents to a wonderful afternoon of storytelling and conversation ✍️📑

Cheryl brought along two of her books, including Not Just Desserts, and read selected passages to residents. Her engaging style, warmth and sense of humour quickly created a relaxed and joyful atmosphere throughout the room.

Residents listened with great interest, asked questions, shared their own memories, and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to connect through literature. The afternoon was filled with laughter, reflection and a genuine sense of togetherness.

Storytelling Week aims to celebrate the power of stories to inspire, connect generations and stimulate meaningful conversation and Cheryl’s visit beautifully reflected all of these values.📑

11/01/2026

🌟 Employee of the Month at Orchard House 🌟

We are delighted to announce Kerry Murray as our Employee of the Month!

Kerry’s dedication, kindness and hard work shine through in everything she does. She consistently goes above and beyond to support our residents and colleagues, always bringing a positive attitude and a warm smile to each day.

Thank you, Kerry, for your commitment, compassion and the difference you make at Orchard House every single day. This recognition is truly well deserved 💙👏

08/01/2026

🤩 Celebrating Five Generations at Hafan-Y-Coed 🤩

A special day at Hafan-Y-Coed Care Home in as resident Marjorie, 89, became a great-great grandmother.

Marjorie was joined by family, friends and staff to celebrate five generations of her family coming together, as she held her great-great grandson, Alfie Paul.

Before moving into the care home, Marjorie lived in and was well known in the local community as a much-loved dinner lady at Dafen Primary School, where she supported generations of children over the years.

Marjorie’s granddaughter Marie, who works as the Lead Activities Coordinator at the home, shared how special the moment was for the family, particularly seeing everyone together.

Such a special moment! ✨

Hafan Y Coed Care Home - Barchester Healthcare

07/01/2026

🌟🎉 Welcoming 2026 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 performances.

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 are some of our favourite moments. ✨

#2026

01/01/2026

30/12/2025

🏅 10k Challenge for Charity 🏅

A brave care home manager has taken on her first ever 10K to raise vital funds for charity.

Novice runner Roisin Doyle, from The Dales Care Home in , took part in a sponsored 10K to raise money for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation. The Foundation supports older people and adults living with a disability by helping them to connect or re-connect with others in their local communities.

Roisin shared: “Taking part in this challenge has been a huge amount of fun and everyone at the home has been behind me all the way. It’s for such an important cause. I’m very glad to be able to do my bit to raise further awareness and money for our charity.”

Roisin raised a grand total of £450 by completing the challenge, which will be donated to Barchester's Charitable Foundation to help combat loneliness and isolation. 👏


The Dales Care Home - Barchester Healthcare

26/12/2025

🎄 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 wonderful day. Here are some of our favourite moments. ✨