Residents of Strachan House Care Home were treated to an afternoon of cocktail themed fun as we invited the local community to join us for ‘Pimm’s O Clock’
The afternoon featured a live musical performance by the talented singer Kirsty Duncan.
The Homes lounge buzzed with excitement as Kirsty took centre stage, delivering a brilliant and energetic repertoire of hit favourites spanning decades.
Residents and guests sipped on classic Pimm’s cups as their toes tapped along to the music.
General Manager at Strachan House, Fran Fisher said: “Our residents deserve moments of joy and connection,” said Fran Fisher, Home Manager at Strachan House. “Kirsty’s performance was a testament to the power of music in brightening lives.”
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. Stamford Bridge Beaumont provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care from respite care to long term stays.
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.
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.
Strachan House Care Home in Blackhall have recently hosted an intergenerational playgroup for residents and members of the local community.
The home on Craigcrook Road recently welcomed the group from the local Cargilifield Nursery to enjoy some storytelling magic with the residents at the home.
The group of children and colleagues enjoyed a book reading of the Judith Kerr classic ‘The Tiger Who Came for Tea’ and the more recent story ‘Little Goose’s autumn’ before enjoying a series of games with our residents.
General Manager, Fran Fisher of Strachan House Care Home said: “We invited the group to the home as a way of promoting intergenerational links between our seniors and the children.
“The home had a lot of fun on the day, and they loved seeing our young visitors. If anyone ever wants to stop in for a lovely afternoon with your young ones, or just for a cuppa and a break, we’d love to have you join us.”
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.
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 in Blackhall will be opening their doors to the local community for an day of coffee and cakes on Saturday 20th January.
Taking place between 10.00 am – 4.00 pm guests will be able to enjoy home-made cakes prepared by the home’s Head Chef, and will have the chance to meet the team and take a tour of the home.
Frances Fisher, Operations 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 some delightful entertainment 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 nursing care and dementia care from respite care to long term stays.
After almost 27 years of continuous service at Strachan House Care home in Blackhall, much-loved nurse and all-rounder, Isobel Huntly has decided to retire.
Staff and residents at the home sent Isobel off in style with flowers, chocolates, and big hugs, to thank her for many years of dedication. Everyone at the home has very fond memories of Isobel and she will be sadly missed.
During her time at Strachan House, Isobel has worked in a number of roles, exemplifying her adaptability and competency. Not only was Isobel a Unit manager and night nurse with Strachan, but she also worked with Barchester as a General Manager
Isobel said: “Strachan House is like a family to me and though I’m looking forward to retirement, I’m really going to miss everyone here so much!”
Gordon Philp General Manager at Strachan House said: “Isobel is one of those people who was born to care for others – she has such a huge heart and was greatly loved by the individuals living at Strachan House Care Home.
“She was an inspiration to her colleagues and we will all miss her. We wish her all the best!”
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 nursing care, respite/short stay and dementia care for 83 residents from respite care to long term stays.
Residents of 4 Barchester Care Homes in Edinburgh were first to take part in the “Fringe Cares Festival” – a new project aimed at maintaining community links and enriching residents within the Edinburgh area.
For many senior adults who live in care homes it is often impossible to attend the world’s largest arts festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Therefore, this year, Edinburgh Festival Fringe performers brought music from the 76 year old arts festival to four care homes in the city of Edinburgh – Queens Manor Care Home, Archview Lodge Care Home, Drummond Grange Care Home and Strachan House Care Home.
The initial idea was thought, planned and scheduled in 2022, with the final concept and performance being launched at the founding home – Queens Manor. From the amazing feedback received by residents, staff, relatives and visitors it was then decided to open up the event to the other three homes in 2023 and what a success it has been!
According to one of the organisers Professor Joe Goldblatt, “Last 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 popular song 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 Fringe Cares Festival is coordinated by the Edinburgh Interfaith Association and its founding sponsor is Barchester Healthcare who are the owner – operator of the four care homes in Edinburgh. All of the performers are appeared at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and have previously performed all over the world.
Donna Wood, General Manager of Queens Manor Care Home said “I am delighted that Barchester is the founding sponsor for this special programme.
“We know how delighted our residents are to enjoy the performance of professional performers. If it were not for this unique programme, they would miss out on seeing this great talent. Through the Fringe Cares Fest we are able to bring the excitement, fun, and delights of the Festival Fringe right into our homes.”
The goal for the festival and its sponsors, is for the event to be available across all care homes in Edinburgh within the next ten years – no matter what care provider the home is operated by.
The executive director of the Edinburgh Interfaith Association added: “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 35 year old EIFA is the oldest interfaith association and represents all faiths and none promoting respect, understanding, peace and love. The Fringe Cares Fest at Barchester dramatically demonstrates that we may all come together and benefit through music.”
The homes were hugely appreciative to the two different performers that provided the entertainment across the 4 different programmes of events – Canadian storyteller and banjo player Keith Alessi stars in his critically acclaimed solo banjo performance entitled Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me but Banjos Saved My Life and the highly popular acapella quartet Octavoce performed their musical jubilee entitled 100 Years of Disney Plus!
The organisers of this event are looking forward to speaking to care providers over the coming months to gauge participation and plan the programmes for 2024! If you would like more information on this, please do contact Queens Manor Care Home.
The 4 care homes that took part in this project are 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. They provide residential care, nursing care and dementia care for residents, from respite care to long term stays.
Residents and guests at Strachan House care home in Blackhall will be hosting their first of many Edinburgh fringe events on Saturday 26th August at 3pm and are inviting their local community to come along and support what is set to be a magical afternoon.
Following on from the success of a trial of a Fringe Care Festival event last year and the ongoing community links that were built, Barchester Healthcare are now continuing their support by being the founding sponsors of an even bigger event this year and for years to come – The Edinburgh Fringe Festival Care Fest.
Strachan House will be opening their doors to Edinburgh festival performers Octovoce, an accapella group who will be taking everybody on a magical afternoon of well-known music.
As well as this, they are encouraging everyone to come along dressed as their favourite character and enjoy a themed buffet prepared by their wonderful chefs, whilst being immersed in a fairy tale sing along event that would be fit for any prince or princess.
Mandy Head of Activities said “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 get to go first, with the 4 Edinburgh homes taking part!
“Shaping the event foundations for other care providers to follow suit in the coming years…”
General Manager, Gordon Philp said, “Our residents and guests are very excited about this event and the team are working behind the scenes to ensure it is a 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!”
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.
Residents and staff at Strachan House Care Home in Edinburgh, Archview Care Home and Drummond Grange Care Home in Lasswade put the ‘fun’ into ‘fundraising’ with an inter-home football tournament to raise money for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation.
Residents and staff from each home came together at the astro pitches in Gorebridge for a fantastic afternoon of footie fun. Each team and their supporters dressed for the occasion as the Strachan House Spartans went into battle coming out the victors on the day.
Mandy Head of Activities said “What amazing fun it was to raise funds and see everyone enjoying themselves.
“Our residents have been looking forward to this for a while. We had so much fun preparing for it and despite the scores it was a win win for everyone on the day”.
Alex Morris smiled: “What a great afternoon of football. The atmosphere was incredible and to walk away with the cup was amazing.
“I can’t wait for it to happen again next year! “
Gordon Philp General Manager at Strachan House said: “We love to fundraise for charities throughout the year, we pick different causes to support that have been selected by staff, residents and friends of the home.
“Barchester’s Charitable Foundation is a great cause that helps many people in need, and is a charity very close to ours hearts. Our staff and residents had a fantastic afternoon, so we feel really proud to have been able to raise this money as well as bring the cup home to Strachan House. Thank you to everyone who donated!”
Barchester’s Charitable Foundation supports older people and other adults living with a disability or mental health problems by giving grants to help them connect or re-connect with others in their local communities.
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, and respite care for 83 residents.
