Tag: Strachan House Care Home

Don’t Dine Alone: Strachan House Care Home opens it’s doors to lonely older people on Christmas Day

Strachan House Care home opened its doors to a number of people from the community to help tackle loneliness. They invited anyone who would usually dine alone to join them on Christmas day for fun, festivities and food. 

Diners were treated to a tasty Christmas lunch  in the home’s dining room. Guests had a chance to engage with residents, staff and visitors while enjoying their food, they even had a visit from the big man himself. The guests came from all over Edinburgh to enjoy the day with others and banish loneliness at Christmas time.

The home’s Head Chef produced a range of dishes to cover varied individual dietary needs and preferences, so diners were able to eat to their fill as they were served a beautiful Christmas Dinner that consisted of Turkey and all the trimmings.

The ‘Don’t Dine Alone’ initiative was launched by care provider Barchester Healthcare as a way to reach out to isolated or vulnerable members of their local communities.

Barchester Healthcare is also behind Barchester’s Charitable Foundation, which is a registered charity that gives grants to older people and other adults with a disability to help combat loneliness and enable people to be active and engaged in the communities where the Barchester care homes operate.

Frances Fisher  General Manager at Strachan House who visited the service said: “The day was a great success. It was a great effort from my team.

“They are always keen to do more to help those who feel lonely or cut off from the rest of the community”. 

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.

Beavers visit Blackhall Care Home

RESIDENTS AT STRACHAN HOUSE CARE HOME ENJOY CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES WITH BEAVER VISITORS  FROM LOCAL CHURCH

Residents at Strachan House care home, in Edinburgh recently enjoyed Christmas bingo, card making and carol singing with a visiting group of local Beavers from Davidson’s Mains church.

The event, which took place on evenings throughout the week welcomed the group of Beavers to enjoy music, games and activities with residents at the home.

The children and residents were supplied with plenty of Christmas snacks whilst they enjoyed their games and activities and the home now have a beautiful display of hand-crafted Christmas cards to enjoy throughout the season. 

General Manager, Frances Fisher of Strachan House care home said: “The residents at our home had a great time enjoying this intergenerational activity.

“The Beavers were able to share with us their stories, crafting abilities and their beautiful singing voices. This event brought so much joy to residents, staff and the Beavers alike”. 

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 launches initiative to help combat loneliness at Christmas

DON’T DINE ALONE ON CHRISTMAS DAY

Local care home Strachan House in Blackhall is opening its doors to members of the community in a bid to help tackle loneliness this Christmas.

Older community members, who might usually eat alone, are invited to join staff and residents at the home on Christmas Day from 12.30 pm onwards for a free three course meal and a good old natter.

Diners will be treated to a tasty Christmas lunch in the home’s dining room. Guests will have a chance to mingle and get into the festive spirit with music and tales of Christmas’s gone by as well as taking part in the festive cheer throughout the day.

The ‘Don’t Dine Alone’ initiative was launched by Barchester Healthcare as a way to reach out to isolated or vulnerable members of the local community.

The company has its own Charitable Foundation, a registered charity that gives grants to older people and other adults with a disability or mental health problem to help combat loneliness and enable people to connect with their local communities. 

The home’s talented Head Chef Paul Dow will be creating an array of delicious dishes all cooked from scratch using fresh produce for diners to enjoy. 

Fran Fisher, General Manager at Strachan House said: “Loneliness and isolation can have a huge impact on people, especially older members of the community. 

“We want all our neighbours to know that they are welcome to come and dine with us here at Strachan House,, we very much hope that anyone feeling lonely will join us for a hot meal on Christmas day”.

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 from respite breaks to long term stays.

Strachan House welcomes a pair of unusual vistors!

Strachan House care home in Blackhall was full of animal mischief when a group of Miniature ponies came to visit the home recently.

Residents at Strachan House were pleasantly surprised to see their new furry friends roaming around their home as the beautiful Willow and Sparkles from Happy Hoofbeats theraponies Ltd paid a visit.

General Manager Fran Fisher said: “Our residents have really enjoyed their unusual visitors today.

“We knew that having the farm here would be a bit of fun for all our residents, especially as some find it difficult to go on many outings in our minibus. 

“We are always looking for new activities for the residents and today we have seen the seen the enjoyment and the therapeutic influence animals can have on people.”

Resident Bernard Lennon was very excited to see Willow and Sparkles: “As a child I used to love all the animals on the nearby farm. Today was very enjoyable and it was wonderful that the animals were free to roam amongst us.”

It was also great to see the home taking onboard our feedback from our recent meeting where we all requested more animal visits.

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 staff win regional Great British Care Award

 A number of staff at Strachan House were recently honoured to be nominated in different categories at the Great British Care Awards.

Staff from Strachan House, residents and their loved ones had nominated staff to be recognised for the amazing work that they do.   

Those nominated for awards were:  

Fran Fisher General Manager entered into the Registered Manager of the year

Anju Raju nominated for Care home worker

Tsering Chokey entered into the Frontline leader award. 

Team award nomination for the Strachan House memory lane team. 

Marta Aurzecka Zuchkle nominated for a dignity in care award. 

The team were over the moon when Marta won the Regional Award in her category. Marta was thrilled beyond belief and can’t wait to attend the Nationals in February. 

The prestigious Great British Care Awards aim to celebrate excellence in social care. 

Fran Fisher General Manager  for Strachan House said: “We are so proud to have not one but 5 members of staff recognised at this stage of the judging process.

“At Strachan House we employ dedicated and experienced people who consistently provide a high standard in quality of care for our residents. Marta winning the award was overwhelming for all of us but so very well deserved.”

The National Awards will be held in February 2026 at the ICC in Birmingham. 

A trip to Modern One for Strachan House Care Home residents

Strachan House care home in Blackhall have recently enjoyed a day out to the Modern One art gallery following the request of some art savvy residents. 

Residents on the Ground Floor community were desperate to flex their creative muscles and attend an art gallery before returning to the home to create their own contemporary art. 

Art is something that the residents feel crosses divides, it allows everyone to be creative and really gives everyone something to talk about. Favourite exhibitions from the day included the Rhythm display and Connection which the residents really loved especially with the links this display had to their own lives. 

Zoe our activities coordinator said: “Art is very popular with everyone who lives here at Strachan House values it very much, we love an outing and this one was a real highlight, we can’t wait to visit Modern 2!” 

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.

Having a hoot at Strachan House!

Strachan House care home, in Blackhall, celebrated International Owl Awareness Day with a visit from some beautiful owl species from Owl Adventures UK.

Residents, family, and friends of Strachan House Care Home were delighted to see their new feathered friends flying around.

They enjoyed holding, feeding, and learning about several species, including a majestic barn owl and an impressive great horned owl. Owl Adventures UK, founded in 2011 by Ryan Stocks, prioritizes the welfare and conservation of birds.

The group rescues birds of prey after accidents in the wild and encourages support for endangered birds of prey in the UK.

General Manager Fran Fisher said, “Our residents have really enjoyed their unusual visitors today. We knew the birds of prey would bring fun to everyone, especially those who cannot join many minibus outings.

“We are always looking for new activities, and today we saw how much enjoyment and therapeutic value animals provide.”

Resident Rosemary was very excited by the birds from Owl Adventures UK: “Today was very enjoyable, and it was wonderful that the owls were free to roam amongst us.

“They are beautiful birds, and it was such an honour to hold and stroke them.”

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, nursing, and dementia care for short and long-term stays.

Hops, Happiness, and Heart: Strachan House celebrates International Beer Day!

You better beer-lieve that residents at Strachan House care home in Blackhall were more than hoppy to raise a glass, and sample some top craft ales, bitters and lagers, in celebration of International Beer Day.

The Activities team at Strachan House set up ‘The Rolling Bar’ drinks trolley for an exciting mobile bar experience and brought in a range of brew-tiful British and International ales for residents to sample. 

Residents and their visitors enjoyed a beer tasting in the comfort of their home whilst they sampled the different craft ales, bitters and lagers.

Fran Fisher, 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 to come and join us for occasions like this. International Beer Day is a day that the residents really enjoy, who doesn’t love a cold beer on a hot summer’s day!”

Tom Brown, a resident at Strachan House, commented: “I didn’t realise we had so many wonderful local ales, it was fantastic to be able to enjoy a cold beer in the garden with my friends.

“We had a really special time and the beers were great!”

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

The 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 provides nursing care, residential care, and Dementia care for short and long-term stays.

Local care home residents enjoy canal cruise

Residents from Strachan House care home in Blackhall, Edinburgh, were delighted to visit Ratho Canal for an afternoon with The Seagull Trust Cruises.

Residents were able to engage in some nature spotting and enjoy a brief history of the canal, including its bridges and famous aqueduct.  Residents were able to spend the day cruising along the canal, and enjoyed an incredible afternoon tea provided by the home’s hospitality team.

Fran Fisher, General Manager of Strachan House, said: “Our residents have enjoyed their day out on the water.

“Trips out in the homes’ mini bus are a regular event for the residents, and we always ask for ideas on where they would best like to go. The day was so much fun. Residents were delighted to see such a diverse range of wildlife. ”

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, nursing and dementia care for short and long-term stays.

Strachan House Care Home residents enjoy a taste of Wimbledon

Residents and staff at Strachan House care home in Blackhall were at the ready for the start of Wimbledon with delicious strawberries and cream, all washed down with a glass of Pimms.

Tennis fans at Strachan House were delighted to be able to watch this year’s 138th Championships. Residents and staff got together to watch the matches and celebrated by having traditional Wimbledon-inspired strawberries and cream, whipped up by head chef Paul.

Residents were able to put their tennis skills to the test with a friendly indoor competition.

Fran Fisher, General Manager at the home, said: “We’ve had a fantastic time celebrating the Wimbledon championships today, it is always a firm favourite with our residents.

“We’re planning on watching as much as we possibly can again this year and enjoying every minute!”

Resident, Katherine commented: “I truly love watching Wimbledon, it is definitely my favourite sporting event. It was great to celebrate with friends here and enjoy the delicious strawberries and cream in true Wimbledon spirit.”

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 high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides residential, nursing and dementia care for short breaks and long term stays.