News & Activities November 2026
A warm welcome to November
As the crisp autumn air settles in, November brings a cosy new chapter filled with warm gatherings, respectful companionship, creative crafts and joyful community visits. Built on our core values of Family, Respect, Integrity, Team, Focus and Growth, our dedicated team remains committed to providing safe, kind and accountable care — with plenty of warmth and fun along the way.
News from Nettlestead
Our Registered Manager, Peter Lord, has stepped down from his role for personal reasons. Although Peter was with us for only a short time, he made a valued contribution during a period of considerable external pressure. We thank him for his work and wish him all the very best for the future.
The search for a new Registered Manager is under way. In the meantime, our Operations Director, Nicola Palladino, and Quality & Compliance Manager, Paul Johny, are working closely with Leah and the wider team to ensure continuity and support for residents, families and staff. If you have any questions, please email Nicola at nettlestead.manager@nightingales.co.uk.
We would also like to share that our beloved cats, Socks and Tinkerbell, have officially retired from care home life. As they grew older, the hustle and bustle of the home became a little overwhelming, so they have happily moved to a peaceful retirement home in leafy West Sussex. We are very grateful for the warmth and joy they brought us over the years and delighted that they can now enjoy a restful, well-deserved retirement filled with love and extra pampering.
October at a glance
October brought birthdays, music, dancing, café visits, gardening, creative activities and another fascinating trip to Biggin Hill. Here are a few of the happy moments shared by residents and the team.
November’s Activities and Events
Sunday 1st November – Traditional Sunday roast, followed by assorted games, crosswords and board games, from 12:30 pm.
Monday 2nd November – Lively games afternoon with prizes, from 2:00 pm.
Tuesday 3rd November – Trip to Polhill Garden Centre, from 2:30 pm.
Wednesday 4th November – Live musical performance and sing-along with Liam, 2:30–3:30 pm.
Thursday 5th November – Tabletop gardening and winter planting, 11:00 am–12 noon, followed by Slow Yoga with Sheila, 2:30–3:30 pm.
Friday 6th November – Steve Urie performs live vocal classics, 3:00–4:00 pm.
Saturday 7th November – Fun and games with Roz, from 2:00 pm.
Sunday 8th November – Traditional Sunday roast, followed by assorted games, crosswords and board games, from 12:30 pm.
Monday 9th November – Maxine sings, 3:00–4:00 pm.
Tuesday 10th November – Shopping trip and afternoon tea in Charlton, from 2:00 pm.
Wednesday 11th November – Biscuit making and sweet baking, from 2:30 pm.
Thursday 12th November – Raised planter and tabletop gardening, 11:00 am–12 noon, followed by Slow Yoga with Sheila, 2:30–3:30 pm.
Friday 13th November – Prize Bingo with Sue, from 2:00 pm.
Saturday 14th November – Ellie returns for a musical afternoon, with residents choosing the songs, 2:00–3:30 pm.
Sunday 15th November – Traditional Sunday roast, followed by assorted games and crosswords, from 12:30 pm.
Monday 16th November – Manicures and hand massages, from 2:00 pm.
Tuesday 17th November – Biggin Hill Museum trip, part two, from 2:00 pm.
Wednesday 18th November – RJ sings residents’ favourites, 3:00–4:00 pm.
Thursday 19th November – Tabletop gardening, 11:00 am–12 noon, followed by Slow Yoga with Sheila, 2:30–3:30 pm.
Friday 20th November – Prize Bingo, from 2:00 pm.
Saturday 21st November – David Woloski performs opera and other musical styles, 3:00–4:00 pm.
Sunday 22nd November – Traditional Sunday roast, followed by assorted games, crosswords and board games, from 12:30 pm.
Monday 23rd November – Residents’ choice of a classic film from the 1940s, 1950s or 1960s, 2:30–3:30 pm.
Tuesday 24th November – Trip to Ruxley Manor, from 2:00 pm.
Wednesday 25th November – Paul Betts sings, 3:00–4:00 pm.
Thursday 26th November – Tabletop gardening, 11:00 am–12 noon, followed by Slow Yoga, 2:30–3:30 pm.
Friday 27th November – Year 7 pupils from Bickley Park School visit, 2:15–3:00 pm, followed by a concert with Santini, 3:00–4:00 pm.
Saturday 28th November – Interactive games and a musical sing-along, from 2:00 pm.
Sunday 29th November – Traditional Sunday roast, followed by assorted games, crosswords and board games, from 12:30 pm.
Monday 30th November – St Andrew’s Day celebration with music, from 2:30 pm.
Note: Times and outings may occasionally change.
Please speak to a member of the team if you would like help joining an activity or outing.
Resident & Families Meeting
Our Operations Director, Nicola Palladino, will host the next Resident & Families Meeting on Tuesday 3rd November 2026, 5:30–6:30 pm. Families are welcome to join us in person at Nettlestead or online using Google Meet.
To join by telephone, call +44 20 3957 1590 and enter passcode 712 705 580#. International dial-in numbers are available through the Google Meet telephone directory. The meeting time is shown in UK local time.
Feedback
We are always grateful to families and friends who take the time to share their experiences of Nettlestead. If you feel able to leave us a five-star review on carehome.co.uk, it would be greatly appreciated. A huge thank you to everyone who has already left a review — your support really does make a difference.
Activity ideas, outing suggestions and suggestions for future newsletters are always welcome. Please email admin@nightingales.co.uk.
Follow our Nettlestead Facebook page for photos, activity updates and the latest news from the home.