Willowbrook Homecare

17/11/2025

❄️ Winter is on the way, and staying warm and well is so important.

Our friends at Age UK Blackburn with Darwen have put together a free winter booklet filled with useful hints and tips to help everyone look after themselves over the colder months.

📚You can pick up a copy from any of their sites, read it online, or give them a call on 01254 266620 and they’ll happily send one out.

👉 Have a look at the digital version here:
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/2s4e3t3b

A great resource for the people we support, their families, and our community. Stay warm, stay well. 💙

We have a free winter booklet packed full of hints and tips on keeping warm and well this winter. You can pick up one at all of our sites, read a copy on our website or give us a call on 01254 266620 and we will get one to you

16/11/2025

👉🏼 What three would you choose 👇🏼 ??? 🐶🍷🎶

16/11/2025

🌿 Sunday Reflection

Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.
— Charles Dickens

Gratitude shifts our focus from what we’ve lost to all that we have. At Willowbrook Homecare, we’re reminded daily of life’s simple blessings, the smiles, the laughter, and the meaningful moments shared with the people we support and care for, and our dedicated care team. 💚

Take a moment today to pause, reflect, and appreciate your blessings; they are what truly make life rich. 💫

15/11/2025

🥔🥧 Lancashire Butter Pie – A Proper Northern Favourite! 🧈✨

If you’re looking for something simple, hearty and full of homely comfort, this classic Lancashire Butter Pie recipe is just the ticket. Layers of soft potatoes, sweet onions and plenty of butter wrapped in golden pastry… perfect for a cosy tea on a chilly day!

We’ve re-shared the recipe by Stacy’s Kitchen Creations so you can give it a try at home.

Let us know if you make it, we love seeing your creations! 💛

Lancashire Butter Pie Recipe 🥔🥧🧈
A true northern classic, the Lancashire Butter Pie is simple, hearty and comforting — packed with tender potatoes, onions and plenty of butter, all encased in golden, flaky pastry. Perfect for a warming, no-nonsense supper!
Ingredients:
🌾 Shortcrust pastry: 500g, ready-made or homemade
🥔 Potatoes: 600g, peeled and thinly sliced
🧅 Onion: 2 medium, thinly sliced
🧈 Butter: 100g, cubed
🧂 Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper: to taste
🥛 Whole milk: 2–3 tbsp (optional, for extra creaminess)
🥚 Egg: 1, beaten (for glaze)
Method:
🔥 Preheat oven to 180°C (fan).
🌾 Roll out half the pastry and line a 23cm pie dish, allowing a little overhang.
🥔 Layer half of the sliced potatoes in the base, season with salt and pepper, then scatter over half the onions and dot with half the butter.
🥔 Repeat with remaining potatoes, onions and butter. If you fancy it creamier, drizzle over a few tablespoons of milk at this stage.
🌾 Roll out remaining pastry and cover the pie, pressing edges to seal and trimming any excess. Crimp the edges for a nice finish.
🔪 Cut a small steam hole in the top and brush all over with beaten egg.
🔥 Pop into the oven and bake for 45–50 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
Serving Information:
⏱ Prep Time: 20 minutes
🔥 Cook Time: 50 minutes
⏳ Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
🍴 Servings: 6
🔥 Calories: ~450 per serving
Tips:
🧈 Best served warm with pickled red cabbage or mushy peas for a proper Lancashire tea.
🥔 Use a good floury potato (like Maris Piper) for a lovely soft filling.
🌿 Add a sprinkle of fresh thyme between layers for an aromatic twist.

14/11/2025

🎄 The Countdown Begins

Six weeks until Christmas! Time to start the festive fun 🎅 Why not kick things off with a simple, heartwarming craft?

Try making traditional handmade Christmas cards or Christmas table Decor, it’s a lovely way to spend time together and spread a little cheer 💌

👉 Here's a link to the hobbycraft.co.uk website to help you get into the festive mood with over 400 ideas for all ages and skill levels 🔗 https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/ideas/by-occasion/christmas-craft-ideas

💬 What’s your first festive activity this year?

14/11/2025

📢 World Diabetes Day 2025

Today, we’re standing together to raise awareness and challenge the stigma that can surround diabetes.

This year’s 'Strike out Stigma' message from Diabetes UK highlights how blame and judgment can prevent people from getting the support they need.

Let’s work together to promote understanding, kindness and better conversations around diabetes.

👉 Learn more here: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/support-us/world-diabetes-day

💙

World Diabetes Day is on 14 November 2025Stigma causes harm, wherever it comes from. And that’s not ok. Because blame and judgement stop people getting the support they deserve. So this we’re launching our new campaign to Strike Out Stigma, starting by challenging some of the c...

13/11/2025

🌟 Appreciation post from Mel H, Extra Care Team Leader – Primrose Gardens

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Leanne and Vicky for their outstanding support and dedication over the past week. 💛

💐Leanne, your willingness to go the extra mile clearly reflects your dedication to the people we support and care for. Vicky, your hands-on approach and readiness to help, even when I hesitated, speak volumes about the kind of leader you are!

🙌🏼 Your support and teamwork make such a difference and remind us what makes Willowbrook Homecare so special, a team that always pulls together with kindness, compassion, and care.

Mel

13/11/2025

💛 Today is a perfect reminder that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a big difference. A smile, a helping hand, or simply taking the time to listen can brighten someone’s day and lift your own spirits too.

🌍 Let’s celebrate kindness today and every day, it’s what makes the world (and our communities) a better place 💫

👉 Read more from Silversurfers about how being kind benefits your health: https://www.silversurfers.com/entertainment-news/world-kindness-day-6-reasons-kind-others-actually-good

13th November is World Kindness Day, a reminder that it is important to celebrate the trait that makes us human (and makes the world a better place). While being kind to others should be done because it is the right thing to do rather than because of what you can gain from it, here are […]

12/11/2025

🍂 Wednesday Wisdom

Rise above the noise and let your inner voice guide you.

In a busy world full of distractions, your calm, steady inner voice knows the way. Trust your instincts, stay true to your values, and let your heart lead with confidence and clarity. 💛

What helps you stay grounded and centred midweek? 💬👇

11/11/2025

🕊️ Armistice Day

Today, we pause to remember the courage, sacrifice and service of all those who have fought for peace and freedom.

At Willowbrook Homecare, we join together with people across the nation to honour the heroes of the past and present, and to reflect with gratitude on the peace they made possible.

At 11 am, we will observe the two-minute silence to remember and give thanks.

Lest we forget.

10/11/2025

🎗️ This week, Anti‑Bullying Week 2025 runs from 10–14 November with the theme “Power for Good” a vital reminder that kindness and respect make all the difference.

At Willowbrook Homecare, we believe in creating spaces where the people we care for and our employees feel safe, valued and empowered to be themselves.

💬 Whether you’re experiencing bullying, witnessing it or supporting someone who is, you’re not alone. Bullying can appear in many forms (verbal, physical, online, misuse of power) and can affect anyone.

✔️ Here’s how you can help make the difference this week:
Speak up — Use your voice to challenge behaviour that doesn’t align with our values of respect and dignity.
Connect — Reach out to someone who may need support; a friendly conversation can mean more than you know.
Share — Expand awareness by passing along helpful resources like the free well-being guide from Police Mutual & partners.

Let’s use our “power for good” to uplift one another and reaffirm a culture where everyone belongs. 💙

👉🏼Click the link below to read this informative six-page Anti Bullying Wellbeing Guide which includes tips, support and sources of information.
�https://www.policemutual.co.uk/documents/Wellbeing%20Guides/Wellbeing.AntiBullyingWeek.pdf

10/11/2025

🏐 Fun and Laughter at Hare Hill!

Our Hare Hill Extra Care team, and the people we support and care for, enjoyed a fantastic afternoon of sit-down volleyball! There was plenty of laughter, teamwork, and a wonderful community spirit throughout the game.

It’s always lovely to see everyone getting involved, staying active and enjoying time together. Moments like these really do lift the day!

A big thank you to everyone who joined in and helped make it such a fun-filled afternoon. 👏💫