Every year we get invited to Loreto College for a Christmas Dinner and celebrations. This is something we look forward to and appreciate so much. Our residents love it! Above are a few snapshots of the afternoon. We play games, dance and enjoy a lovely dinner.We already can’t wait for next year!
Every year we organise afternoon’s out at Blackpool. The residents enjoy the Christmas lights and food. We do multiple trips over the weeks it is on, so all our residents have the chance to go. This year there was a major Wallace & Gromit exhibition, “Wallace & Gromit: In A Case at the Museum”. It was held at The Harris in Preston from September 2025 to early January 2026. A group of our residents spent the afternoon out enjoying the exhibition.
On the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour, we gathered to observe a two-minute silence in honour of the fallen soldiers of both World War’s. Our resident below, led the commemoration with a reading of ‘In Flanders Fields’. As veteran of the British Army on the Rhine, our resident below proudly shared his experiences serving. He was stationed in Heamer, Germany for 3 years. Followed by another 3 years in Woolwich and 6 years in Dortmund. During his service, he completed 2 tours in Northern Ireland, 1 in Belfast and the other in Armagh. He expressed that he enjoyed every moment of serving his country and would do it all over again.
During the month of October we prepared for Halloween by decorating and carving pumpkins. On the day we played different games with residents and staff. Below are some snapshots of different activities our residents did in and out of the home during October.They include craft groups decorating Halloween decorations, local walks and music with Gerry.
Some of our residents spent the afternoon out at the Manchester Science and Industry Museum. They enjoyed exploring the variety of vintage trains and cars. The Museum is very hands on and the residents enjoy being interactive.
We have recently recruited Gerry who is our Music Therapeutic Worker. Gerry spends 2 days a week, infusing our music programme with his vibrant energy. He will facilitate enjoyable group sessions and offer individual support to those interested in developing their musical skills. Gerry brings a wealth of experience and a passion for music that promises to enrich the lives of everyone he works with. We are excited to explore different musical genres, to composing original pieces. There will be plenty of opportunity for everyone to get involved and express themselves through music.
This month we hosted our very own Wimbledon competition. Our umpire, Andy, kept everyone in line whilst we served up some strawberries for the crowd. The residents and staff brought their A-game, it was a smashing good time for everyone involved. Second place, one of our residents gave his all. His sportsmanship and positivity made him a true champion in spirit. Pictured right is our Champion of Mary & Joseph House Wimbledon 2025.
From the 23rd to the 27th June 2025 it was Activities Week at Mary and Joseph House. FLIGHT CLUB – During activity week our residents enjoyed lunch out and a competitive game of interactive darts at flight club in Manchester. QUARRY BANK MILL – Stepping back in time to the industrial revolution and taking a tour of their mills and various gardens. BLACKPOOL PLEASURE BEACH – During activity week we took a trip to Blackpool pleasure beach and the pier. After an adrenaline fuelled afternoon at the pleasure beach we had a relaxing time on the pier and arcades. BOWLING – We took a trip to Ashton to enjoy an afternoon of bowling and air hockey! NATIONAL PORTRATE GALLERY – We took a trip to the untold stories exhibition in collaboration with the National portrait gallery. KNOWSLEY SAFARI PARK – We visited Knowsley safari Park, getting close and personal to all of the animal kingdom. IN-HOUSE CASINO – we invited a mobile casino to bring Vegas to our residents at Mary & Joseph house! We enjoyed an afternoon of Blackjack and roulette.
In the month of June our residents have been giving our gardens a new lease of life with a selection of new plants and weeding our gardens. Our residents have also been planting some new colourful foliage in our window boxes. CARPENTRY CORNER – This month our residents have been busy starting a memorial garden project within the woodland walk in the lower gardens. We hope the garden when completed will be a quiet and peaceful place for people to come and relax and reflect. Beginning with the pergola we began by preparing the wooden posts and mixing up the concrete. Pictured one of our residents mixing up the concrete and placing the posts ready for concreting.
To celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE day we held our very own garden party with a lovely BBQ made by our catering team. After lunch we held a competitive circuit of games including boules and croquet and our residents competed for the top spot. Pictured below, all our winners!
