Austen House Care Home - Barchester Healthcare

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Austen House Care Home - Barchester Healthcare

Austen House is a purpose built Nursing Home in Reading, set in a semi-rural location and within easy reach of Wokingham and London.

Our staff at Austen House are dedicated to meeting all our residents’ needs.

12/08/2025

Creative therapy!💅🏿🪆🥰

Today at Austen House, Jonny and Cherry led a wonderful art therapy session where residents crafted and decorated Japanese dolls. This activity was more than just a craft; it was a deeply calming and relaxing experience. Residents used their imagination and concentration to personalize each doll, carefully choosing colors and materials to bring them to life.

The finished dolls were beautifully vibrant, and everyone was incredibly proud of the stunning results of their hour of focused work

To find out more about life at Austen House, please give us a call or visit our website:
☎️ 0118 926 6100
🌎 Barchester.com/home/austen-house-care-home

10/08/2025

🎯 Bingo Face On! 🎯

It was a very serious afternoon here at Austen House… and by serious, we mean BINGO serious! 😆
Our residents had their game faces on, eyes on the prize, and concentration levels at an all-time high. The tension was real, the numbers were called, and the competition was fierce — but all in good fun!

Who knew bingo could be such an intense sport? 🏆
To find out more about life at Austen House, please give us a call or visit our website:
☎️ 0118 926 6100
🌎 Barchester.com/home/austen-house-care-home

09/08/2025

🎤Come Sing! To Feel Good with vocal coach Dan Cooper. 🌟

On Tuesday, 12th August, at 2.30 pm, we will join renowned vocal coach Dan Cooper from Biiah for an exciting virtual singing session like no other. 🎤🎼🤩

We'll be singing the uplifting ‘Que Sera Sera’ by Doris Day and ‘Wouldn’t It Be Nice' by The Beach Boys for a suitably summery sing-a-long on this (hopefully!) sunny August afternoon. ☀️🌻

No experience is necessary! This fun, easy, and feel-good session is for everyone and will leave you smiling ear to ear. We hope you can join us! 😁

The event will be available to watch via YouTube live. Please contact us for more information. 🌹

To find out more about life at Austen House, please give us a call or visit our website:
☎️ 0118 926 6100
🌎 Barchester.com/home/austen-house-care-home

08/08/2025

🍰🎉 Cake Pops & Sweet Moments! 🎉🍰

Today was all about fun, family, and fabulous baking! Our residents had a wonderful time making cake pops—and even better, they were joined by their loved ones to share in the joy. 💕👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

From mixing and rolling to dipping and decorating, there were smiles all around (and a few cheeky tastes along the way! 😉). It's always so special when our residents can enjoy these hands-on activities with their families by their side.

Swipe through to see the delicious results and the lovely moments we shared today! 📸✨

To find out more about life at Austen House, please give us a call or visit our website:
☎️ 0118 926 6100
🌎 Barchester.com/home/austen-house-care-home

07/08/2025

Community Garden Day: A Huge Success!👩‍🌾😍🪴🪏

What a fantastic day we had in the garden! The weather was perfect, and it was a joy to see so many families working together. It was a truly productive day, with everyone pitching in to tidy up our garden. The garden was buzzing with activity, and residents were busy planting new seeds, sharing a laugh, and telling stories!

Many of you shared how much you enjoyed the day, finding it both productive and relaxing to spend time outdoors. We all took a moment to breathe in the fresh air and enjoy each other's company!

A special highlight of the day was celebrating our dear Dorreen's birthday! She was overjoyed to cut her cake with everyone singing "Happy Birthday" and sharing well-wishes. We all enjoyed a well-deserved break with plenty of refreshments, including tea, coffee, cake, biscuits, and even ice cream😋

Thank you so much to all the gardening enthusiasts and volunteers who made the day such a success. Your time and energy are what make our community so special🙏🏻
👏

To find out more about life at Austen House, please contact us on 0118 911 3018 or visit our website: https://www.barchester.com/home/austen-house-care-home

05/08/2025

🎉 Celebrating 10 Incredible Years with Lind! 🎉

Please join us in congratulating our amazing Home Administrator, Lind, on reaching a decade of dedicated service! 💐

Over the past 10 years, Lind has grown from a Healthcare Assistant to Admin Assistant, and now proudly serves as our Home Administrator. Her journey is a testament to her hard work, compassion, and commitment to excellence.

We are so proud to have Lind as part of our Austen House family – her knowledge, kindness, and calm leadership make her an asset to our home and a joy to work with every day. 💛

Here’s to you, Lind, and to many more milestones ahead! 🥂🎊

To find out more about life at Austen House, please give us a call or visit our website:
☎️ 0118 926 6100
🌎 Barchester.com/home/austen-house-care-home

03/08/2025

Our beautiful lounges are designed with you in mind – a welcoming space for both our residents and their visitors to enjoy.

Step inside and be inspired by the harmonious blend of traditional and contemporary art that adorns the walls, creating a unique and comforting atmosphere. These lounges are the heart of our care home, perfect for meaningful connections and quiet moments alike.

Whether you’re catching up with friends over a cup of tea, enjoying quality time with loved ones, or unwinding with a good book in a cozy corner, our lounges offer the ideal setting for every mood.

Relax, socialise, and feel at home – because our spaces are designed for your comfort and joy.

To find out more about life at Austen House, please give us a call or visit our website:
☎️ 0118 926 6100
🌎 Barchester.com/home/austen-house-care-home

02/08/2025

Jigsaw Puzzle Fun at Austen House!🧩🙇🥰

Today was a wonderful day at Austen House, filled with concentration, conversation, and a great sense of accomplishment. Residents gathered to tackle a variety of jigsaw puzzles, a fun and rewarding activity.

Solving puzzles is a fantastic exercise for the mind, demanding both visual problem-solving and concentration. It was great to see everyone working together and celebrating when the final pieces were placed.

This activity is more than just a game; it's a huge confidence booster. It's a wonderful way to keep busy, be social, and feel a real sense of achievement.

To find out more about life at Austen House, please contact us on 0118 911 3018 or visit our website: https://www.barchester.com/home/austen-house-care-hom

01/08/2025

🎉 Calling all Bingo enthusiasts! 🎉

Join us on Wednesday, 27th August, at 2.30pm for some interactive virtual Bingo fun 🎱✨ as part of ‘Barchester Goes Gaming’ – Barchester’s very own game show series 🎮🎤

We’ll be going head-to-head with our sister homes to find out which care home or hospital has the best Bingo players 🏆🏠👵👴

📺 The event will be available to watch via YouTube Live – please contact the home for more information! 💬📞

To find out more about life at Austen House, please give us a call or visit our website:
☎️ 0118 926 6100
🌎 Barchester.com/home/austen-house-care-home

31/07/2025

Paws-itively Wonderful Days at Austen House! 🐾🐶🌭❤️🤗

There's nothing quite like the wagging tail and gentle nudge of a furry friend to brighten our residents' days here at Austen House Care Home! We absolutely adore Fraser, our beloved weekly therapy dog, who is bringing so much joy, comfort, and a wonderfully soothing atmosphere.

Residents love spending time with him, sharing gentle strokes, and often chatting away with his kind owner, David. These moments are precious, sparking smiles and wonderful memories.

Fraser is not just adorable; he's incredibly well-behaved too! We especially love how he patiently "does his trick" (a polite little 'poh' or wait) before he gets his well-deserved treat. It's these small, charming interactions that make everyone's heart melt. 🥰

The benefits are truly incredible. Beyond the sheer happiness, these sessions offer a deeply relaxing and soothing therapy. They help reduce anxiety, encourage communication, and simply fill our home with an abundance of warmth and laughter. It's a beautiful reminder of the powerful bond between humans and animals, bringing immense joy and comfort to all.

A huge thank you to Fraser and David for
making our days so much brighter! ❤️

To find out more about life at Austen House, please contact us on 0118 911 3018 or visit our website: https://www.barchester.com/home/austen-house-care-home

30/07/2025

🌟 One-to-One Moments Matter 🌟

At Austen House, we understand that personalised care goes beyond group activities. That’s why our team takes great pride in offering one-to-one sessions with residents in the comfort of their rooms.

Today, some of our lovely residents enjoyed gentle one-to-one exercise sessions, tailored to their needs and preferences. These quiet moments not only support physical wellbeing but also help foster meaningful connections, ensuring every resident feels seen, supported, and valued.
💛 Because every moment matters. 💛

To find out more about life at Austen House, please give us a call or visit our website:
☎️ 0118 926 6100
🌎 Barchester.com/home/austen-house-care-home

27/07/2025

Did you know that we have a life-skills kitchen to help our residents continue with familiar tasks, such as setting the table, cooking and cleaning? these activities are always enjoyable and we're always happy for them to help out.🍰

To find out more about life at Austen House, please give us a call or visit our website:
☎️ 0118 926 6100
🌎 Barchester.com/home/austen-house-care-home

18/07/2025

🎾🍓 Wimbledon Fun Across Our Homes 🎾🥂

Residents and patients across the country had a delightful time following the annual Wimbledon tennis tournaments.

Many homes and hospitals were decorated with themed flags and banners, as residents and patients engaged in a range of enjoyable activities, including mini tennis championships, quizzes and interactive sessions.

The big tennis enthusiasts were thrilled to watch the famous matches virtually from the comfort of their armchairs and to join the afternoon tea parties with strawberries and cream, Pimm’s and champagne.

Everyone had a fantastic time!

Take a look at some of our favourite moments in the photos below.

🔗 www.barchester.com

14/07/2025

⭐ Barchester Care Awards 2025 – Divisional Winners ⭐

We would like to thank everyone who has submitted their nominations for this year’s Barchester Care Awards! We are delighted that so many individuals and teams have been recognised.

This year, more than 5,250 nominations were received and after much deliberation we are happy to announce the 2025 Divisional Winners.

Huge congratulations to everyone who was nominated - and a special well done to the Divisional Winners, recognised as the best of the best in their division! 👏

11/07/2025

🎉 Farley Gardens is Now Open 🎉

Our new luxury care home in has opened its doors in style, with a Grand Opening performed by the Worshipful Mayor of the Borough of Bracknell, Councillor Janet Cochrane, in front of invited guests from the local community.

Our CEO, Dr Pete Calveley, and Senior General Manager, Simona Cioinac, hosted the event and invited guests to view the stunning new 62-bed care home, which is now open and welcoming its first residents.

The home has been designed with residents’ comfort in mind and the team at Farley Gardens will offer residential support, respite stays and specialised dementia care, all delivered by a dedicated and passionate team of trained professionals.

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

09/07/2025

👏 Port Manor is Now Welcoming Visitors 👏

We’re excited to share that our newest luxury care home, Port Manor in , is now open for show rounds and everyone is welcome to come and visit.

When the home opens this summer, it will offer person-centred residential, dementia and respite care in a lovely setting.

With residents’ wellbeing and comfort in mind, the home has a wonderful warm, homely feel with beautiful gardens, a café for socialising and enjoying freshly baked treats, spa bathrooms for a luxury bath time experience, beautifully designed en-suite bedrooms with smart TVs, a choice of comfortable lounges and an in-house hair salon for a little bit of pampering.

If you are considering care for yourself or for a loved one, the friendly team of experts at Port Manor Care Home - Barchester Healthcare is available to answer any questions you may have about life in the home and the support on offer.

🔗 www.barchester.com/home/port-manor-care-home

07/07/2025

🎉 Hall Park Celebrates Outstanding CQC Rating 🎉

We’re delighted to share that Hall Park Care Home in passed a recent Care Quality Commission inspection with ‘Outstanding’ ratings - the best possible ratings the home can achieve – across the board, after being praised for operating a safe, effective, responsive, caring and well-led service.

Jodie Rakhra, General Manager at the home said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Hall Park has been rated ‘Outstanding’ following the CQC’s latest inspection. It is fantastic to have the hard work and dedication of everyone here recognised. Our staff are all superstars, everyone supports each other and pulls together. I’m so proud of our team, our residents and our home.”

Our CEO, Dr Pete Calveley, visited Hall Park to congratulate Jodie and her team on the home’s Outstanding ratings and award every member of staff a £500 voucher to celebrate their achievement.

He commented: “Hall Park is a fantastic home delivering exceptional care to its residents, I couldn’t be prouder of Jodie and every single member of staff here. I am delighted to be here today to congratulate everyone personally, meet the residents and chat to the team about their wonderful work.”

Huge congratulations to everyone at Hall Park Care Home - Barchester Healthcare! What a brilliant achievement! 👏

04/07/2025

🐝🍯 What a Buzz! 🐝🍯

As part of our Live Virtual Events programme, residents and patients across the country enjoyed a fascinating virtual talk yesterday, led by expert beekeeper Julia Young, on The Wonderful World of Bees.

Everyone was absolutely captivated by her stories – from the intricate waggle dance to the royal drama of bee regicide. Who knew the life of a honeybee could be so exciting?

It was a great opportunity to learn more about nature, hives and the extraordinary teamwork of bees.

To make things even more exciting, the talented chefs at our homes prepared delicious themed treats and refreshments - including honey sandwiches, honey flapjacks and tea sweetened with local honey.

Thank you, Julia! 👏

03/07/2025

⭐ Top 10 Care Provider in the Lottie Awards 2025 ⭐

We’re delighted to share that Barchester has been named one of the UK’s Top 10 Large Care Providers as part of the inaugural Lottie Awards.

In addition, five of our care homes have been recognised in the Top 100 Care Homes category, out of more than 14,000 care homes across the whole country:

• Chorleywood Beaumont Care Community - Barchester Healthcare: Top 100 and Top 10 for Best Outdoor Space
• Highview House Care Home - Barchester Healthcare: Top 100 Care Home
• Lucerne House Care Centre - Barchester Healthcare: Top 100 Care Home
• South Grange Care Centre - Barchester Healthcare: Top 100 Care Home
• Trinity Manor Care Home - Barchester Healthcare: Top 100 Care Home

The Lottie Awards, launched this year, celebrate the UK’s leading care homes across four key areas: Quality of Care, Operational Excellence, Digital Impact and Workplace Culture.

Winners were selected through a detailed, data-led review of more than ten important indicators, including CQC ratings, enquiry responsiveness, resident feedback and staff wellbeing.

A huge thank you to all our incredible colleagues for making this recognition possible – and congratulations to all the winners on this fantastic achievement! 👏

01/07/2025

🌟 Iverley View 🌟

Iverley View is a brand-new purpose-built care home in that provides excellent 24-hour residential care in a warm and friendly environment, as well as caring for those living with dementia.

At Barchester - Iverley View Care Home the experienced and dedicated team delivers exceptional standards of compassionate care, which focuses on the individual needs of each resident.

The home also features a wide range of facilities including a café serving tea, coffee and homemade cakes, and a collection of dining rooms, a cinema to watch the classics and a relaxing spa bathroom located on each floor of the home.

Check out the video to see our stunning home. 🎥

30/06/2025

☀️ Beat the Heat: Essential Summer Safety Tips for Hydration 💧

Learn why staying hydrated is especially important for older adults during the summer. Discover expert tips for keeping safe and cool in the warmer months.

27/06/2025

☕ Coffee with a Firefighter 🚒👨‍🚒

Lindum House Care Home in recently welcomed local heroes from the fire brigade for a fantastic ‘Coffee with a Firefighter’ event.

Residents, colleagues and visitors enjoyed chatting with the firefighters, learning more about their daily duties and hearing fascinating stories from the local community – all over cups of freshly brewed tea and coffee.

Head Chef Matt prepared a mouth-watering selection of cupcakes especially for the occasion.

Adding to the fun, children from Safe 'n' Sound Nursery also joined in, bringing even more smiles and excitement to the day.

What an amazing experience for all involved! 👏

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

26/06/2025

🎉 Exciting News from Barchester 🎉

We’re thrilled to share that Natasha Lazovic, Managing Director of Barchester’s South Division, has been promoted to our Executive Board as Chief Operating Officer.

The news came just as Natasha celebrated an incredible 11 years with Barchester – a fitting milestone for such a well-deserved recognition.

A trained nurse, Natasha first came to the UK from Serbia in 1994. She joined Barchester in May 2014 as Regional Director leading 10 homes, which then doubled to 20 as Senior Regional Director. As Managing Director, Natasha was in charge of 87 care homes across the South.

With Natasha stepping into her COO role, we’re also announcing a restructure of the South Division. It will now form tow new, more focused regions: led by Duncan Edwards who becomes Managing Director of the South West Division and Michelle Macadangdang who is promoted to Managing Director of the South East Division.

Commenting on her new role, Natasha said: “It has been my absolute privilege to be Managing Director of the South division, I have loved working with each and every one of my homes but I move onto my new position happy in the knowledge that Michelle and Duncan with be excellent new Managing Directors for their respective divisions. I am eager to see what my new role brings, I look forward to getting to know all of the teams, patients and residents in my new homes and hospitals across the country.”

Please join us in congratulating Natasha, Duncan and Michelle on their new roles. 👏

Address

Kilnsea Drive, Lower Earley
Reading
RG63UJ

Telephone

+441189266100

Website

https://www.barchester.com/home/austen-house-care-home?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=local

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Austen House

Austen House is a purpose built residential care home in Reading, set in a semi-rural location and within easy reach of Wokingham and London. Our staff at Austen House are dedicated to meeting residents’ personal needs and our nurses are on duty 24-hours a day to provide top quality elderly care.