Tag: Barchester Healthcare

Care Home celebrates ‘Superstar’ team member

 Staff and residents at Woodhorn Park and Station Court care home in Ashington are celebrating because their wonderful colleague, Natalie Lochhead, has been awarded the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse.  

Natalie was selected earlier this year to take part in a nine-month development programme run by the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland (QNIS). She is among an elite group of just 21 extraordinary community nurses to have been awarded the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse this year.

Queen’s Nursing in Scotland dates back to the late 19th century, when nurses completed specific training which allowed them to work as district nurses to provide nursing care for the ‘sick poor’ of Scotland’s communities.

QNIS organised the training of District Nurses in Scotland until the late 1960s. Nurses who qualified from the Institute were known as Queen’s Nurses, they provided healthcare and health promotion to people in their own homes and became well respected figures within their community.

Around 20 community nurses and midwives are chosen each year to embark on the Queen’s Nurse Development Programme (QNDP) after which they are awarded the title of Queen’s Nurses. There are now over 170 contemporary Queen’s Nurses working across Scotland.

Natalie Lochhead, Divisional Clinical Lead Nurse for Barchester Healthcare, said: “I have the best job in the world, I work with such brilliant people across our homes and I love each and every one of my residents – it is the best feeling in the world to know you have made someone feel better and put a smile on their face. 

“I was very happy to be selected for the programme and it is lovely to be recognised for doing the job that I love.”

General Manager of Woodhorn Park care home, Emma Saunders said: “This is such a fantastic achievement, the whole home is so proud of Natalie. 

“She is so dedicated, she is a wonderful mentor and support for her colleagues and always goes the extra mile for her residents.  She really deserves this accolade and we are delighted to celebrate her success!”

Dr Sarah Doyle, QNIS Chief Executive and Nurse Director, said: “Queen’s Nursing in Scotland is delighted to award the Queen’s Nurse title to Natalie.

“Community nurses and midwives occupy a unique position in Scotland’s health service, working as they do in the heart of communities, championing the cause of those who are not heard, helping those facing real adversity. They do extraordinary work, every day.

“The Queen’s Nurse Development Programme supports participants to build their confidence, inspiring them to find and lead creative responses to the challenges faced by their colleagues and the communities they serve.” 

Residents at local care home enjoy firefighters visit

Residents and guests at Strachan House care home in Edinburgh enjoyed a visit from the wonderful local Fire Service.

Residents enjoyed a talk with the local firefighters and a look round the engine. Modern fire brigades around the world were created after Edinburgh led the way 200 years ago.  City authorities set up the Edinburgh Fire Engine Establishment in 1824, following a several fires – the largest of which raged for five days, killing 13 people and making hundreds homeless.

General Manager, Francis Fisher said, “Our residents had a wonderful day. We do our best to provide a wide range of activities and entertainment as part of the lifestyle enrichment programme for residents, and this was one of our favourites!”

One resident said “We all enjoyed a chat with the firemen and a look around the engine, it was very interesting.”

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 Care Home provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for residents from respite care to long term stays.

Care home residents enjoy third annual Fringe Cares Festival

Care Home Residents Enjoy The 3rd Annual Fringe Cares Festival

2024 Fringe Cares Festival – conceived by The Edinburgh Interfaith Association back in 2023 – started once again with a very successful event at Queen’s Manor Care Home on Queensferry Road.  

Performers from all over the world take part in the Fringe Cares Festival which brings a taste of the musical & theatrical talents of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to all residents of 7 care homes in the city, in a partnership sponsored by Barchester Healthcare, The Edinburgh Interfaith Association, Scottish Care and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society.

Queens Manor Care Home, the founding care home Residents, relatives, friends and staff – along with several guests from the local community, were able to participate in a full afternoon of entertainment.

Lord Provost Councillor Robert Aldridge attended and said, “This is my favourite part of the Fringe!”

The event included a piper on arrival, drinks canapes and cocktails.  Street performer Andie Mars with her impressive hula hoops displays, forget me Nots Children’s’ Parties provided face painting and visiting Princess Ariel.   Matthew Shiel, award winning classical pianist played in the foyer. 

The main act – “Ella, Etta and Eartha”, singer Melissa Western and her accompanists rounded off the show in a performance inspired by those legendary female singers. 

Professor Joe Goldblatt, who inspired and instigated the Fringe Cares Festival explained: “The first year my wife and I sponsored one performer and I was amazed when residents who had not spoken for months suddenly burst forth into song, in French, when a Fringe performer began to sing the Edith Piaf classic ‘La vie en rose’.  

“As they sang along, I was speechless and in awe of the power of musical memories to inspire their strong positive emotions and awaken their senses. The events of this year so far at Queens Manor were no less than spectacular – offering the same level of amazement that we had in our founding year!” 

Margaret-Ann Davidson, General Manager of Queens Manor in Edinburgh, said: “I am delighted the Queens Manor Team is able to support our residents to participate in such an exciting initiative, which has grown each year; and we are proud to be part of   Barchester Healthcare, the founding sponsor for this special programme. 

“Music, entertainment, time with loved ones and friends are key elements of life enrichment for all care home residents.    In years gone by the Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe would have been part of the lives of many of those in our care.  

“Through the Fringe Cares Festival, we are able to bring a flavour of the excitement, fun, and delights of the Festival Fringe to our residents at home. The long-term aim of this project is to help ensure that all care home residents in Edinburgh have access to the Fringe Cares Festival in the next 10 years – regardless of care provider.   

“There are many other entertainers participating at the other 6 care homes.  We look forward to the feedback and photographs”.  

The executive director of the Edinburgh Interfaith Association, Iain Stewart said: “EIFA is very proud to have conceived this programme as part of our commitment to bringing people together to celebrate, communicate, and appreciate one another through music. 

“The 36-year-old EIFA is the oldest interfaith association and represents all faiths and none promoting respect, understanding, peace and love.

The Fringe Cares Festival at Barchester dramatically demonstrates that we may all come together and benefit through music”.   

We are already looking at inspiration and planning for this event in 2025 – if you would like to be involved or become a sponsor, please reach out to either Joe Goldblatt at joe@joegoldblatt.scot or margaretann-davidson@barchester.com.

Care Home welcomes local police for community Blue Light event

COFFEE WITH A COPPER!

Colleagues and residents at the Strachan House Care Home in Blackhall warmly welcomed PC Colin Cursiter and PC Holly Matheson to speak to our residents and guests.

PC Colin Cursiter and PC Holly Matheson spoke to the audience about their time on the force, challenges they face and the rewards from helping the local community, before taking questions from the residents, relatives and guests.

Fran Fisher, the General Manager of Strachan House extended the invitation throughout the local area, “to say thank you to PC Colin Cursiter and PC Holly Matheson for their visit and to all of the great work our emergency services do for us, we here at Strachan House are inviting all members of the police, ambulance and fire services to pop in and take their duty break on us for free.

“We are pleased to offer all of our Strachan House Care Home who stop in tea, coffee, juice, chilled water, delicious homemade cake and biscuits and a healthy selection of fruit, available free of charge; do stop in and say hi, we would be delighted to see you!”

Strachan House 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.

Local Care Home hosts free Prosecco and Art event

Strachan House Care Home, in Edinburgh invited the local community into our home to join our residents for a special ‘Prosecco and Art’ event.

Against the backdrop of soothing music, our guests, residents and colleagues took part in a professional art tutorial, with glasses of prosecco and themed snacks courtesy of our wonderful team in the kitchen.

General Manager Fran Fisher said: “It was wonderful to see the local community and our residents come together and share their love for art and creativity and with a glass of fizz in hand everyone had a wonderful time.”

Strachan House Care Home 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 Care Home provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for long stay and respite care needs.

Local Carer celebrates 20 years of service with Strachan House

A much cherished Care Assistant at the Strachan House Care Home in Edinburgh has received a prestigious Long Service Award in celebration of working at Barchester Healthcare for 20 years. 

Greg Libanan, a much valued Senior Care Assistant, started at Barchester in 2004 and has worked in dedication with residents and their relatives to ensure that their needs have been met over the years. 

He was presented with a £250 shopping voucher by visiting Regional Director Mandy Hurst, a golden leaf and gifts from his colleagues and friends.

Adele Keenan, Employee Services Director at Barchester said: “I’m always pleased to hear stories about the long service of Barchester staff and am delighted Greg has achieved this milestone.

“It is dedication like this that ensures our residents are provided with a happy place to live.”

Frances Fisher, General Manager of Strachan House said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating 20 years of loyal service with Greg. He has demonstrated his dedication and loyalty to this home and its residents year after year.

“I speak for all of us here at The Newton House Care Home when I say that I’m looking forward to many more years of working with Greg.”

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. Newton House provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 83 residents from respite care to long term stays.

New General Manager for Strachan House care home

Staff at Barchester Healthcare’s Strachan House care home, in Edinburgh have welcomed a new General Manager to head up the team. 

Fran Fisher will oversee the running of the 83 bed home and will be responsible for a team of 114 staff.  Prior to starting in this position Fran was a Regional Director within the care sector bringing a wealth of experience to home. 

Fran returned to Barchester in late 2023 before transferring to Strachan House as General Manager, where she had worked as a student nurse 11 years ago. 

Strachan House is one of over 200 care homes owned by Barchester Healthcare that offers high quality care to its local communities. The home regularly holds events and activities for its residents and surrounding neighbours.

The new General Manager, Fran Fisher said: “I am delighted to join the team here at Strachan House and am enjoying meeting and getting to know our residents.

“Some of the staff team are familiar from my time here as a student and it’s a great chance to lead the team and get to know staff old and new.  I’m looking forward to managing this home and continuing to provide high quality care.”

Mandy Hurst the Regional Operations Director for Strachan House said: “I am pleased to welcome this addition to the team here at Strachan House.

“We are committed to providing high quality care and I really think Fran will be a big hit with our residents.”

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.

Strachan House hosts a fairytale start as part of new Fringe Cares initiative

Strachan House Care Home in Blackhall was one of four Barchester homes who set their stage by hosting their first of many Edinburgh Fringe Cares events on Saturday.

Following on from the success of our Edinburgh Fringe Cares events last year at Barchester’s Queens Manor and the ongoing community links that were built, Barchester became the founding sponsor of an even bigger event this year and for years to come – The Edinburgh Fringe Festival Care Fest.

Eventually, the long term goal would be for all Edinburgh care homes to be part of this amazing initiative, no matter what company, but in the meantime Barchester got to go first, with 4 of their Edinburgh homes taking part!

It’s hoped this year’s events will shape the foundations for other care providers to follow suit in the coming years.

Strachan House immerse their residents and families into a spectacular performance from their nominated Edinburgh Fringe performer’s Octovoce, who took the audience through a magical journey of cappella style song.

The promotional event was one of four that Barchester Healthcare sponsored to showcase how the Edinburgh Fringe should be made accessible to everyone in care homes. 

Strachan House was one of the four homes to demonstrate how successful these events can be and how it can benefit residents wellbeing. 

Mandy, Head of Activities, said: “This was a fun event to do. Staff and residents loved getting on board by dressing up in character and our chefs prepared a themed menu of goodies for the special occasion.

“The home was transformed into a colourful castle of colour as our residents were taken on a magical afternoon of music. But the biggest success has been to be part of the four Barchester homes to showcase how every home in Edinburgh can do this.

“Along with Queens Manor, Archview and Drummond Grange, who also hosted their Edinburgh Fringe Cares events, we hope that this is something that will continue for years to come for everyone living in a care home.

“Putting this event together and having the residents on board with all their ideas has been amazing and to support them to bring it all together has been an honour.

“Professor Joe Goldblatt who attended the event and created the idea behind Edinburgh Fringe Cares has been truly inspiring.”

General Manager, Gordon Philp said, “Our residents and staff have been very excited about this event and the team worked so hard behind the scenes to ensure it is was great success.

“We do our best to provide a wide range of activities and entertainment at Strachan House as part of the lifestyle enrichment programme for residents, and this was will certainly be outstanding, and certainly will be remembered for years to come.

“Our aim was to demonstrate to other care providers how this can be achieved and the benefits of delivering it within a care home setting.”

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.

Care Home invites local community to Open Day

Strachan House  in Edinburgh will be opening their doors to the local community for an open door event complete with free refreshments on Saturday 19th August.

Taking place between 10am-4pm guests will be able to enjoy a freshly prepared buffet by the home’s Head Chef whilst taking the opportunity to meet the General Manager Gordon Philp and his fantastic team. Why not allow them to take you on a tour of the home and see everything the home has to offer? In the afternoon visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed afternoon tea and ask any questions they may have.

The Strachan House team will be on hand to answer any queries that they may have. A warm welcome awaits every visitor and a free goodie bag upon leaving will ensure that everyone will have a little something to remember their day with us by.

Gordon Philp, General Manager at Strachan House says: “I’m excited about welcoming new visitors and existing friends of the home to our open day.

“Looking for care can be a little bit daunting, but our team here at Strachan House will do all we can to provide all of our guests with the guidance and support they may need, and answer all of their questions, big or small.

“Our open day is a great chance to enjoy everything the home has to offer in a homely and friendly setting- hope to see you all there!”

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 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.