Willow Bank Residential Home

10/10/2025

Yesterday was a truly special day as we had the absolute pleasure of celebrating Margaret's birthday!

Margarets birthday celebrations began with a wonderful day out, surrounded by her loving family, who ensured her celebration began with joy and relaxation.

After all the excitement of her outing, we couldn't resist one more surprise to cap off the afternoon. We presented Margaret with a truly fabulous three-tier cake, which was lovingly handcrafted and baked to perfection by our talented kitchen staff. It was a stunning centerpiece for the celebration, although Margaret was happily exhausted from all the day's excitement by the time it arrived.

A huge Happy Birthday once again to Margaret from all the team and residents! 🥰


Buckland Care

09/10/2025

Don't forget to join us this afternoon, free to all to join online via zoom, so get yourself setup, logged in ready for 2.00pm!

Buckland Care Evesham & District Mental Health Support Services Evesham & District Meeting Centre - Supporting Better Lives With Dementia

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09/10/2025

'The Ghoulish Gathering of Canvases'

Hold onto your paintbrushes! The incredibly talented Anna swooped back into our midst straight from Creative Mojo Worcester yesterday afternoon, armed with a challenge: a "spooky" painting masterclass for our residents. We’re not sure if she drove a broomstick, but she certainly brought the magic!

As always, Anna's visits are less of a class and more of a creative contagion—everyone catches the bug. But perhaps the most delightful (and slightly shocking) participant this time was our very own culinary commander, Head Chef Liam! He temporarily traded his toque for a smock, putting down the carving knife to pick up a... well, hopefully, just a regular brush. While his artistic output is still under strict security 'wraps'. We’re guessing he was either painting a portrait of a very hungry ghost or simply offering an encouraging, slightly-too-loud "That’s brilliant!" every few minutes.

Simply a masterpiece made mostly of enthusiastic smears, the joy Anna brings is the real treat. It seems even specters can't resist a good time when Anna's in the house!

Buckland Care

08/10/2025

Important Seasonal Update: The Great Garden Deception

To the Residents of Willow Bank House:
A formal meteorological advisory has been issued following this afternoon's events:

Please be advised that the sun seen through your window is a Liar.

A few of our highly esteemed (and briefly chilly) residents recently attempted a "garden break" to escape the stuffiness indoors. Their mission was rapidly aborted after just moments outside. It was a brisk, educational experience that confirmed two things:

Autumn is not just here; it’s aggressively selling woolly jumpers and demanding pumpkin spice lattes.

Winter is currently standing on our doorstep, jingling its keys, and asking if it can just "put its feet up for a few months."

The moral of the story? Your sofa is better than nature right now.

If you must venture out, we strongly suggest donning at least three layers, a hat, and perhaps considering a portable space heater.

Please return to your cozy indoor activities immediately.

Stay warm, and please close the door, quickly!




Buckland Care

08/10/2025

Heartbreaking news, but a powerful reminder of how cruel Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) is. 💔

While Bruce Willis may not remember his own incredible Hollywood legacy, we will always remember it for him. He gave us decades of iconic, unforgettable performances.

His family is doing an incredible job raising awareness about FTD, which is a devastating and progressive brain disorder. His initial diagnosis was aphasia (a language disorder), which then progressed to FTD. This condition affects the brain's frontal and temporal lobes, causing changes in behaviour, personality, and communication, which can include the severe memory loss of his career and other personal history.

Sending so much love to him, Emma, Demi, and his entire family from everyone at Buckland Care . Let's honour his legacy by spreading awareness about FTD.

08/10/2025

Watching the recent BBC News BBC Scotland Disclosure documentary has been profoundly distressing for all of us at Willow Bank House. The neglect and abuse shown at Castlehill Care Home is 'absolutely unacceptable' and goes against the very core values of compassionate care that our entire sector must uphold, not just Buckland Care .

For us, this documentary serves as a stark reminder and a catalyst for re-commitment. It highlights critical learning points that we are constantly reinforcing at Willow Bank House:

Dignity and Person-Centred Care are Non-Negotiable:
Every resident deserves to be treated with absolute respect, empathy, and dignity at all times. Their individual needs and distress should never be ignored or dismissed. We are reinforcing our training on resident-rights and person-centred communication.

Safeguarding Culture:
An open, supportive, and strong safeguarding culture is paramount. Our staff are continuously trained to identify, challenge, and report any concerns of poor practice, without fear of reprisal. Our whistleblowing policy is clear and actively promoted to all staff, residents, and families.

Staffing and Support:
While the documentary highlighted issues of understaffing, we believe the core issue is the 'culture of care'. Atv Buckland Care, we are committed to ensuring our staffing levels support not just basic needs, but genuinely attentive, stimulating, and compassionate care. We constantly review levels of staff support, supervision, and wellness to prevent burnout and foster a caring environment.

Open Communication with Families:
Families are 'not' just our partners in care but are considered a major part of Willow Bank extended family. We encourage open, honest, and frequent communication. We want our residents' loved ones to feel welcome, listened to, and 'confident' in the care we provide.

We know that the vast majority of care professionals are dedicated, wonderful people, and it is a tragedy when a few overshadow the entire sector. We stand with the victims and their families and pledge, as a good provider, to use this as a learning moment to continually examine, improve, and reassure our community that compassionate, high-quality care is our uncompromising priority.

Watch the documentory in full on BBC iPlayer

If any of our residents or families have concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Home Manager, Carole Hall on 01386 556844 or willowbank@bucklandcare.co.uk.

BBC Scotland BBC Hereford & Worcester

08/10/2025

Operation: Mane Event

Yesterday, the tranquil atmosphere of the residence was delightfully shattered by the arrival of Wendy, our very own scissor-wielding sorceress! Armed with an array of curlers that seemed to defy gravity and scissors that could snip through the toughest of split ends, she launched 'Operation: Mane Event' to tackle the tousled tresses of our fabulous residents. It was less a haircut and more a high-stakes, high-glamour transformation.

Meanwhile, a whirlwind of cleanliness was executing her own specialised pampering patrol: Jackie, our resident activities expert in all things pristine. With a buffer and polish in hand, she was on a meticulous mission to make sure every fingernail was spic-and-span, buffed to a blinding shine, and generally looking ready for a close-up. Jackie didn't just clean; she sprused!

By the time the last roller was removed and the final nail was enameled, the transformation was complete. It’s a scientific fact that the collective wattage of the residents' new looks could power a small city!

Everyone wasn't just looking good; they were looking like a million dollars—a million dollars and a 20% tip! More importantly, they were all walking around with the happy, slightly dazed glow that only comes from being truly pampered. The residents are now so dazzling, we might need to hand out sunglasses!


Buckland Care

07/10/2025

Mark your calendars, my friends, for a m0orning of pure, unadulterated terror... and possibly some tooth decay. Forget the garden-variety ghouls and ghosts; something far more insidious—and considerably cuter—is lurking just around the corner.

On the eve of October 30th, as the veil between worlds thins and the smell of pumpkin spice assaults your senses, steel your nerves and lock your pantry! We're not talking about bats or zombies here. No, we're talking about the most shockingly adorable ambush in the history of Halloween: a visitation from the notorious Lollipop 'Halloween' Ponies!

These aren't your friendly neighbourhood steeds; these are pint-sized, glitter-hoofed mercenaries with a mission. They creep, they trot, and they absolutely demand a good time, leaving a sticky, multi-coloured trail of evidence in their wake. They are coming to stare at you with large, innocent eyes until you surrender all your treats. They are the equine equivalent of a sugar rush, and they show no mercy.

Prepare yourself for a high-stakes encounter where the greatest danger isn't being spooked, but being utterly charmed into giving away your emergency chocolate stash. Don't say we didn't warn you when you wake up on the 31st covered in sparkle and smelling faintly of bubblegum!
Buckland Care

07/10/2025

Hold onto your hats, folks, because the stars have aligned, the coffee is brewing, and the unmistakable sound of pure, unadulterated musical enthusiasm is about to grace our airwaves once more!

Yes, you heard it right: Wes is back! Like a human sunrise armed with a microphone and a playlist full of cheer, our favourite maestro of mirth is returning for another session. Forget your doomscrolling, put down that third cup of lukewarm coffee, and prepare your vocal cords (or at least your internal happy-thoughts): it's officially Wes O'Clock!

Get ready for an invigorating morning where joy is the only agenda, and the singing is so catchy it should probably come with a health warning. If you need a Monday-morning-sized shot of exuberance, or if you just want to hear a man truly live his best musical life, then this is the place to be. Let the fun, the singing, and the general feeling of "Hey, maybe today won't be so bad after all!" commence!

Buckland Care

07/10/2025

Congratulations to our lovely Veronica, celebrating ‘5 years of service’, supporting the residents and staff with fresh clean laundry. We can't thank you enough! Thank you for everything you do, it doesn't go unnoticed or taken for granted.

Buckland Care

07/10/2025

The Ballad of Ray and the Time Machine of Tunes
Prepare yourselves, for yesterday afternoon was not merely an 'afternoon'—it was a full-blown, emotional, and slightly chaotic pilgrimage back through the decades, all thanks to the maestro himself, Rays here to entertain you!

Forget your standard Monday malaise; we were too busy time-traveling via the medium of classic hits. I swear, the collective energy in the room was potent enough to power a small village. Ray didn't just sing the "old songs"; he didn't just play the notes. Oh no, he expertly cranked up the nostalgia machine and took us all on a supersonic journey to the good old days.

One minute we were politely humming along, and the next, someone was passionately belting out a forgotten chorus, elbowing their neighbor with the sheer force of a newly unlocked memory. It was an absolute spectacle of happy tears, uncontrollable toe-tapping, and perhaps a few questionable attempts at the high notes. I'm pretty sure a few of the residents' memories—the ones Ray helped us dust off—were so vivid they could have been featured in a documentary.

The man isn't just a singer; he's a psychological wizard of sound. He doesn't just know his audience; he seems to have an exclusive, top-secret file on their emotional triggers and a perfect playlist for every one of them. He's got that uncanny knack for engagement, making everyone feel like they're the star of their own personal, musical biopic.

So, to Ray, for the laughs, the tears, the impromptu dance moves, and for skillfully wielding the power of a microphone to forge pure, unadulterated joy: a monumental, heart-felt, and slightly out-of-breath thank you! Now, if you'll excuse me, I think we need to go rest our vocal cords.


Buckland Care

07/10/2025

We love sharing moments of purposeful activity within our community, and yesterday was full of them!

We had two incredible residents, Pru and Mike, who demonstrated just how much they value their home here by lending a helping hand with some essential daily tasks.

Pru channeled her lifelong skills into folding a mountain of fresh laundry, finding rhythm and satisfaction in the simple, familiar action of contributing to the household.

Mike took on the crucial role of safety assistant, sweeping the floors and standing ready with his "Wet Floor" sign to ensure a safe environment for everyone.

These seemingly simple jobs are essential to a person's well-being and sense of identity. They allow our residents to use their abilities, feel needed, and maintain a powerful connection to the routines of daily life. Thank you, Pru and Mike, for your wonderful contributions—you truly make this place shine!


Buckland Care & District Meeting Centre - Supporting Better Lives With Dementia Living Well with Dementia - Age UK Wyvern Evesham Dementia Action Alliance Pershore Volunteer Centre Evesham & District Mental Health Support Services