Going the Extra Mile at Woodley Grange: Sonny Silang Receives Dementia Care Award Nomination

At Manucourt, we’re always proud to celebrate the incredible individuals who bring care, warmth, and heart into our homes—and today, we’re delighted to share some fantastic news from Woodley Grange.

Sonny Silang, a long-standing and much-loved member of the care team at Woodley Grange in Romsey, has been nominated for a Dementia Care Award. This well-deserved recognition shines a light on Sonny’s unwavering dedication, compassion, and the positive difference he makes to the lives of residents living with dementia.

Sonny has been part of the Woodley Grange family for 15 years, and in that time, he’s become known for his gentle presence, kind gestures, and deeply person-centred approach to care. Whether it’s offering emotional support, lifting spirits with his warm smile, or creating meaningful moments through music and conversation, Sonny embodies the very best of dementia care.

“Sonny brings such a wonderful energy into the home,” says Loraine Tabbner, Registered Manager at Woodley Grange. “His ability to connect with residents on a personal level, making them feel seen, heard and valued, is truly inspiring. We are thrilled to see his work recognised in this way.”

Sonny’s impact is felt not just by colleagues and residents, but by families and visitors too. Wendy Eldridge, whose mother Vera recently joined the home, fondly remembers Sonny helping them capture a special Christmas memory by the tree—“a moment we’ll always treasure.” Another visitor, Bob Munns, recalled a touching scene where Sonny sang hand-in-hand with a resident during karaoke. “The joy he brought to that moment was something I’ll never forget,” he said.

This nomination is more than just a recognition of Sonny—it’s a reflection of the culture at Woodley Grange, where kindness, empathy, and connection are at the heart of everything the team does. We are so proud of Sonny and all our care teams who go above and beyond every day to make a difference.

Congratulations, Sonny! We’re all rooting for you.

Finalists will be confirmed next month!

 

Egg-cellent Easter Fun at Barton Lodge!

The garden at Barton Lodge was full of life on Thursday 10th April as we welcomed families for our Easter Egg Hunt.

Between 10am and 12pm, children explored the grounds in search of colourful eggs hidden among the flowerbeds and trees. With baskets in hand, they gathered treats and surprises, enjoying a relaxed morning outdoors with their families.

It was lovely to see the garden filled with energy and hear the laughter of children as they took part in the hunt. The event brought together residents, staff, and local families for a simple, joyful celebration of the season.

Thank you to everyone who came along and helped make the morning so enjoyable. And of course, a big thank you to our team for all their efforts in getting everything ready behind the scenes.

We’re already looking forward to our next family event – so keep an eye out for what’s coming up at Barton Lodge!

Eggs-tra Special Easter Fun at Woodley Grange

This Easter, our beautiful gardens at Woodley Grange were transformed into a magical springtime trail for our very own Easter Egg Hunt – and what a fantastic morning it was!

On Tuesday 15th April, little explorers of all ages joined us for a fun-filled morning of egg hunting, laughter, and plenty of chocolatey treats. Colourful eggs were carefully hidden around our garden, waiting to be discovered by eager young eyes. The joy on the children’s faces as they searched high and low made it such a heartwarming event for everyone involved – residents, families, and staff alike.

But the fun didn’t stop there!

After all the eggs had been found, we invited everyone into our Palmerston Lounge, where we’d set up a variety of Easter-themed activities for the little ones to get stuck into. They had great fun making things to take home – a perfect way to round off a lovely morning.

It was such a heartwarming day, bringing smiles to faces both young and old. A big thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the event so special.

We’re already looking forward to our next family event –so keep an eye out for what’s coming up at Woodley Grange!

 

 

 

 

 

Manucourt Wins ‘Top 20 Care Home Group’ Award for the Ninth Year Running!

We are thrilled to announce that Manucourt has once again been recognised as one of the top care home providers in the UK, receiving the ‘Top 20 Care Home Group’ Award from carehome.co.uk. This marks the ninth consecutive year that we have received this prestigious honour—a remarkable achievement that reflects the dedication and passion of our incredible team.

This award is based on independent reviews from residents, their families and friends, making it an especially meaningful recognition of the care and support provided at our Romsey-based care home, Woodley Grange, and New Milton care home, Barton Lodge.

Manucourt’s Director of Operations, Rizwan Walji, said: “Winning this award for the ninth consecutive year is an incredible honour and a true testament to the dedication and commitment of our team in delivering exceptional care every day.

“We are immensely grateful to our residents, their families and friends—your support has been invaluable in helping us achieve this recognition. This award reaffirms that, together, we can accomplish great things, and we look forward to continuing to provide the highest standard of care in the years ahead.”

At Manucourt, we remain committed to upholding the highest standards and ensuring that Woodley Grange and Barton Lodge continue to be among the best care homes in the country.

For more information about the exceptional care we provide, contact us today, and don’t forget to keep an eye on our blogs for updates on our latest events and activities.

A Successful Spring Wreath Workshop at Barton Lodge

On Thursday 20th March, Barton Lodge hosted a successful Spring Wreath Making Workshop, where attendees had the opportunity to create their own beautiful wreaths to celebrate the season. The workshop, led by local florist, Lucy from Business is Blooming, provided a hands-on experience that allowed everyone to express their creativity.

Held from 6-8pm, the evening began with a warm welcome and drinks before diving into the wreath-making process. Lucy guided participants through each step, providing all necessary materials, foliage and decorations. The focus was on crafting a unique, personal wreath, with plenty of room for creativity. Many attendees added their own personal touches, from subtle decorations to more vibrant flourishes.

The process required a bit of patience and precision, with participants using wiring techniques to secure foliage and decorations. However, everyone was able to complete their wreaths with Lucy’s expert guidance, leaving with a beautifully finished piece to display at home.

It was a great opportunity for people to unwind, meet others and enjoy a relaxed evening. We look forward to hosting more events like this in the future!

At Barton Lodge, we run regular community events, so be sure to check our Facebook page or Eventbrite for updates on upcoming activities. We hope to see you at the next one!

Staff Appreciation Afternoon at Woodley Grange

Woodley Grange Care Home recently hosted a special staff appreciation afternoon to honour the hard work and dedication of its incredible team.

The event was an opportunity for staff to come together, celebrate their achievements and enjoy a relaxing afternoon outside of their usual duties.

The afternoon began with a variety of games, allowing staff members to enjoy some friendly competition, followed by a delicious buffet. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and smiles, creating a perfect setting for everyone to unwind and enjoy themselves.

As a gesture of thanks, each staff member received a gift, personally created by Loraine Tabbner, Registered Manager at Woodley Grange Care Home. This was a way to show gratitude for the team’s ongoing dedication to providing high quality care and making a positive impact on the lives of the residents.

Woodley Grange Care Home is proud of its exceptional team and looks forward to continuing to celebrate their hard work and commitment.

An Extra Special Christmas Love Life Café at Barton Lodge

Last month, Barton Lodge Care Home was filled with festive cheer as we hosted our extra special Christmas Love Life Café. It was a heart-warming afternoon that brought together residents, their families, friends, and members of the local community to celebrate the season of goodwill.

The event was filled with laughter, music, and delicious treats, all in support of two wonderful charities: The Samaritans and Alzheimer’s charities. Together, we raised an impressive £145 through our raffle, and we couldn’t be more grateful for everyone’s generosity.

Our talented entertainer, Stephen, took centre stage and enchanted everyone with his beautiful renditions of classic Christmas songs. Armed with lyric sheets, guests and residents sang along, creating a joyful and spirited atmosphere that perfectly captured the holiday spirit.

Of course, no Christmas event would be complete without some delightful festive refreshments. Guests indulged in a selection of cakes and other seasonal treats that were as lovely as they were delicious. “The cakes and entertainment were lovely,” remarked one guest. Another attendee shared, “It went really well; we had such a wonderful time.”

Reflecting on the event’s success, Barton Lodge Care Home Director Samir Patel said: “It was wonderful to see the community come together with our residents and their families to celebrate Christmas. The festive spirit, the music, and the laughter made it a truly memorable afternoon. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to raising funds for such meaningful causes.”

This year’s Christmas Love Life Café was a shining example of the warmth, community, and joy that Barton Lodge prides itself on fostering. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for more events in the New Year.

Keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates about upcoming activities and gatherings.

From all of us at Barton Lodge, thank you for your support

Kickstart 2025 with a Fun Laughing Yoga Workshop at Barton Lodge

January can sometimes feel like a long month, especially after the festive buzz has faded. But what if you could chase away the January blues with something a little different—something fun, uplifting, and full of joy? Join us for a Laughing Yoga Workshop at Barton Lodge Care Home on Wednesday 29th January 2025, and start the new year with plenty of smiles!

Led by Nicky Mintrim from The Laughter Sanctuary, this unique session will introduce you to the wonders of laughing yoga, a practice that blends laughter with yoga breathing exercises to boost your wellbeing. It’s not only good for the soul but great for your health too!

Why Laughing Yoga?

Laughing yoga has gained popularity worldwide for its amazing benefits. It’s not just about laughing for the sake of it—though there will certainly be lots of laughter during this session! There’s solid research to back up its positive effects, including reducing stress and anxiety, boosting immune function, improving circulation, and enhancing overall wellbeing.

This session offers a light-hearted and accessible way to improve your mental and physical health. Laughter is a natural mood booster, and when combined with mindful breathing exercises, it creates the perfect balance of fun and relaxation.

What to Expect

Join us for an hour session full of relaxation! You’ll experience a mix of laughter yoga exercises, along with time for meditation and relaxation. It’s a chance to let go of any tension, laugh freely, and enjoy the health benefits that come with it.

Not only will you feel uplifted, but you’ll also leave with a big smile on your face. Refreshments will be provided, so you can relax and chat with others after the session.

Event Details:

  • Date: Wednesday 29th January 2025
  • Time: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (Please arrive at 2:00 pm for an hour’s laughing yoga session, followed by light refreshments)
  • Location: Barton Lodge, Barton Common Road, New Milton, Hampshire, BH25 5PR

Spaces are limited for this event, so be sure to book early to avoid missing out on this fun and laughter-filled afternoon.

To reserve your spot visit Laughing Yoga Workshop Tickets, Wed, Jan 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM | Eventbrite or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at events@lovingcare-matters.co.uk.

Feeling Festive with a special wreath making workshop at Woodley Grange

We were thrilled to welcome talented florist, Lucy, from Business is Blooming, to run a special wreath making workshop at Woodley Grange.

We received fantastic feedback from our guests, who loved Lucy’s session, being able to craft their very own Christmas Wreaths. Guests were able to bring their own decorations to give their wreaths a touch of personality and they all looked incredible!

Our guests were treated to Christmas tunes playing and warming non-alcoholic mulled wine and hot chocolate with cream, marshmallows and gingerbread men.

One of our guests said: “I had such a fun evening at your community event, thank you for holding it!”

With another remarking: “I love my wreath! Thank you for such a wonderful evening.”

Woodley Grange’s Manager, Loraine Tabbner added: “We’d like to say a massive thank you to Lucy from Business is Blooming, for creating such a special evening. It was wonderful to receive such great feedback and that everyone was proud to take their wreaths home and hang them on their front doors.”

Check out our video of our wonderful event:

We look forward to welcoming you to our next community event.

Follow us on Facebook for all our latest activities!

A Taste of Thailand: Community Comes Together at Woodley Grange

At Woodley Grange, we’re proud to host events that bring people together to learn and enjoy new experiences. Our recent Free Thai Cooking Workshop was a great success, offering guests the chance to master the art of making spring rolls and watch a live demonstration of edible vegetable carving by talented local Thai chef, Lilly Palmer.

The event was met with fantastic feedback from participants, with a huge favourite being the Dim Sum which everyone said was delicious.

Tania and Carol who attended the event said: “Thank you for a wonderful afternoon yesterday. We really enjoyed it and would love to be able to come again!”

One guest remarked: “We enjoyed learning about the Thai culture while learning how to make spring rolls. Lilly is very talented!”

Another attendee added: “The home is very welcoming and we can’t wait for more workshops.”

Commenting on the event, Care Home Manager, Loraine Tabbner, said; “It was a joy to see so many people engage with the workshop, picking up new culinary skills while connecting with others in the community.”

Check out our video below to give you a flavour of our special event:

We’re already looking forward to our next event, a Free Christmas Wreath Making Workshop in collaboration with Business in Bloom –  a chance to get creative and festive!

Stay tuned for more exciting events at Woodley Grange in 2025 – we can’t wait to welcome you!