Category: Blackhall

Summer Reading Challenge at Blackhall Library

For booking please go to our Eventbrite page for Friday craft tickets.

Tickets are available 1 hour after the current week’s event has ended –

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/664633926967

For tickets for Thursday activities, please contact the library via blackhall.library@edinburgh.gov.uk, call 0131 529 5595 or reserve a space at the library. 😊

Surprised resident marches the ramparts 79 years on

Alex Laird, a resident at Strachan House, can always be heard telling his stories of his days in the military, so staff at the home made those memories come back to life with a trip to Edinburgh Castle.

Alex has lived at Strachan House for a short time. Staff and residents love his stories of his days gone by serving in the Army. Alex started his military career in 1944 when he joined the Royal Scots Regiment. Shortly after in 1945 he got to volunteer serving with the Indian army in the 15th Punjab Regiment and is often heard telling others about his wonderful adventures as well as his cheeky antics he got up to.

One story that he shares is of when the war ended: “I was protecting the Bay of Bengal when we heard news the war had ended. With no TV, radio or newspapers I learnt over our comms system that the Germans had surrender some 24 hours beforehand.

“I remember looking at my watch it said 7am and thinking: that’s it, the wars over and at least for my friends their fight has ended. That same evening as darkness fell upon us I have vivid memories of me and my comrades singing in celebration, only to wake up the next morning to the sound of shelling as we continued our mission to protect the bay.”

Staff at the home saw how Alex was passionate of all things military and how proud he was to of served in the war, so staff wanted to ensure his heroic past was recognised .

The Royal Scots Museum houses an array of paintings, artefacts and medals from the formation of the regiment to its present day. So for Alex it was a real walk down the castle cobbled memory lane as he immersed himself in all the history that surrounded him with his visit to the castle.

In response to this wonderful surprise Alex said: “It was so touching to know my efforts during the war were appreciated. It is such an amazing feeling to know that staff recognised what was so important to me and cared enough to spring this surprise on me.

“What an incredible afternoon I had. It truly meant a lot to me.“

Gordon Philp, General Manager at the home, said: “We want everyone we care for to know how important they are to us here at Strachan House

“It was so nice to see how happy Alex was – and to be able to say thank you for everything he done for his country all those years ago.”

Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 83 residents from respite care to long term stays.

Fun-filled Fathers Day at local Care Home

Residents at Strachan House in Blackhall enjoyed an Afternoon Tea and photoshoot with their loved ones on Sunday in celebration of Father’s Day. 

With the lovely warm weather residents were able to enjoy meeting up with loved ones in the home’s garden over afternoon tea freshly prepared by the home’s talented chefs.

Throughout the afternoon the residents and their children were then offered a photo shoot session to capture the special moment with a keepsake photo of their day together. 

Gordon Philp, General Manager of the home, said: “We’ve all had a wonderful day today welcoming friends and family into the home.

“Occasions like Father’s Day are so important, it was fantastic to have such a lovely gathering with our residents and their loved ones all together enjoying the sunshine.”

Gerry Smith, resident at Strachan House said: “I’ve had a great time celebrating with my daughter,it has been so lovely to see them and spend some quality time together. 

“Father’s Day is such a special day, I’m so pleased we were all able to celebrate together.”

Strachan House Care Home’s varied life enrichment programme keeps residents active and provides a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents’ interests and abilities.

Strachan House is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides nursing care, residential care, respite care.

Strachan House says: ‘Don’t worry, beer happy’!

You better beer-lieve that residents at Strachan House care home in Edinburgh, were more than hoppy to raise a glass, and sample some top craft ales, bitters and lagers, in celebration of National Beer Day on Thursday (15 June)!

Staff at Strachan House set up a bar for a real pub experience and brought in a range of brew-tiful world ales for residents to sample.  Residents and their visitors enjoyed a beer tasting in the garden as well as enjoying a fun game of beer pong with a difference.

Gordon Philp, General Manager at the home, said: “We love socialising and celebrating all kind of events, it is wonderful to be able to invite family and friends into our garden to join in events again.

“National Beer Day is a day that the residents really enjoy, who doesn’t love a cold beer on a hot summer’s day!”

David Leseuer, a resident at Strachan House, commented: “I didn’t realise we had so many lovely ales, it was fantastic to be able to enjoy a cold beer in the garden with my friends and family – you can’t really beat that now, can you?”

Our varied life enrichment programme keeps residents active, and provides a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents’ interests and abilities.

Strachan House is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides nursing care, residential care, respite care.

Strachan House celebrates National Carers Week

Residents at Strachan House care home in Edinburgh are celebrating National Carers’ Week, which takes place from 5 – 11 June.

Residents wanted to thank all the wonderful staff at the home, whose hard work and dedication make a real difference to the lives of those living in their care. 

Carers Week is an annual event to raise awareness of caring, highlighting the challenges carers face, and recognising the contribution they make to our residents, families and communities throughout the UK.

The theme for Carers Week this year is ‘recognising and supporting carers in the community’ – this year the organisers are asking people across the UK to come together to recognise the huge contribution carers make to society.

Staff were treated to a beach party in their wonderful grounds as their residents also celebrated National Ocean Day. The team decided to merge the two and throw a party that even the Beach Boys would have been envious of.

With hot dogs, ice lollies and plenty of fun and laughter, the afternoon was enjoyed by everyone and the water pistols totally added to the fun and games.

Residents also gave thanks by handing out small gifts of chocolate show their appreciation for all that their carers do.  

Gordon Philp, General Manager said: “It is so wonderful to be able to celebrate Carers Week and thank our fantastic carers with a beach party in our garden, and to be able to welcome the community, relatives and friends. Everyone has had such a fantastic afternoon.”

Bertie Dobie, a resident at Strachan House commented: “We’ve all had such a lovely time today, it really is a joy to be able to thank our wonderful carers for all that they do.  They really are heaven sent.”

Our varied life enrichment programme keeps residents active, and provides a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents’ interests and abilities.

Strachan House is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides nursing care, residential care, respite care.

Ready, steady … GO! Local care home sponsors Blackhall sports day

Strachan House care home in Edinburgh recently sponsored the Blackhall Sports for Children sports day to show their support to such a good cause.

The care home supported the good cause by sponsoring 3 races at their annual sports day. Residents from the care home also attended the event on the day to give some encouragement to the younger generations and chat to them about why keeping active is so important. 

Audrey Ross, an ex-school teacher and a resident at Strachan House said: “What a wonderful day it was. We saw some familiar faces, and it was lovely to cheer all the children on and watch them have so much fun!”

Strachan House has built up excellent reputations within its local community, regularly holding events and activities for residents and surrounding neighbours.  

Gordon Philp, General Manager at Strachan House said: “We are always keen to show as much support as we can to local charities. And this event being in our local community was why we wanted to show our support back.

“Showing community support is close to our hearts and having the opportunity to give something back to the younger generation is important.”

Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for residents from respite care to long term stays.

Free Community Cafe at Strachan House Care Home

Staff and residents at Strachan House care home in Blackhall have invited neighbours and friends from the local community to their free monthly coffee afternoon.

Taking place every last Friday of the month from 2pm-4pm, residents from within the local community will have a chance to meet and chat over tea or coffee and homemade cakes provided by the home to everyone from within their community. Guests will also have a chance to take a tour of the home, and ask any questions they might have about the facilities at Strachan House. 

General Manager of the home, Gordon Philp said: “Our Community Coffee Afternoons allows individuals from the local area to meet and connect with one another regularly.

“It’s a great chance to share stories, make new friends, and of course, enjoy our wonderful spread provided by our hospitality team!”

Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 83 residents from respite care to long term stays.

Fore! Strachan House residents get in the swing at Ratho Park

Residents, David Leseur and Jimmy Main at Strachan House had always wanted to want to walk the fairways again and show us they still have what it takes from the Tee Box. So staff at the home made their wish a reality with their Gone Fishing 23 project.

Both residents has lived at Strachan House for several years and are popular with staff and residents alike.

Mandy, Head of Activities, said: “We first realised that Jimmy and David had this one passion in common. After becoming friends in the same home we thought: Why make this a moment for one when we can have two special moments?

“So the staff took their project idea out into the local community. Immediately Robert Dobbie, Club Manager/Secretary of Ratho Park Golf Club, got in touch to offer the club’s support in helping us achieve these two gents dream.

“Robert said he would  delighted to be a part of making their wish a reality, as he knew how much it meant to them being keen golfers. Ratho Golf Club have been amazing and pulled out all the stops to ensure David and Jimmy had an unforgettable experience.”

Their families all arrived a little early to the course to see the surprised smiles on their loved ones faces. 

In response to this wonderful surprise, David was in shock as we pulled up onto the clubs grounds and said: “I was on the verge of tears.

“It is such an amazing feeling to experience the golf course again. To do it with a friend too meant we were in for a good old lad’s afternoon of fun and laughter. What an amazing time we both had.”

Gordon Philp General Manager at the home, said: “We want everyone we care for to know how important they are to us here at Strachan House and our Gone Fishing 23 project demonstrates this through our person centred delivery of care and wellbeing.

“It was so nice to see how happy David and Jimmy was – and the staff loved being a part of this as well.”

Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 83 beds residents from respite care to long term stays.