North Devon Care Home unite to send birthday cards after BBC story sparks heartfelt response

A story shared by the BBC this week struck a chord with the team at Heanton Nursing Home, a home in North Devon that supports people with complex needs, prompting an immediate and heartfelt response from everyone in the home.

The article told the story of a little girl called Amelia, who has spent much of her young life in and out of hospital, facing more challenges than any child should have to. The family shared with the BBC how receiving birthday cards would mean a great deal to Amelia, giving her hope and reminding her of the support around her, after she set herself the ambitious goal of receiving 8,000 cards for her 8th birthday in an attempt to break the UK record.

When the team at Heanton read the piece, they knew straight away they wanted to be involved.

One team member in particular, Noufal, helped spark the idea to get involved. He spoke with the home’s administrator, Sabrina, who quickly took it forward. Within hours, Sabrina was out at the shops, buying one of every birthday card on the shelf so that everyone could take part. As more people joined in, she even went back out again to buy additional cards, making sure no one was left out.

From there, the whole home got behind the idea. Every team member joined in, alongside the people who live at Heanton, fondly referred to as family members by the home.

For many family members, writing birthday cards was just as meaningful as it was enjoyable. For people living with a Dementia, activities like this feel deeply familiar. They draw on life experiences many people have carried with them for years, marking birthdays, choosing kind words and doing something thoughtful for someone else. These are routines many people have carried out throughout their lives, and returning to them can bring a sense of comfort and purpose.

Holding a card, writing a message and signing their name gave family members the chance to connect with a familiar role, that of being a friend, a neighbour, or someone who cares, it allowed them to take part as people with a lifetime of experiences to share, rather than being defined by a diagnosis. The atmosphere was calm, purposeful and full of conversation, with plenty of smiles along the way.

The cards are now all written, sealed and carefully packed, ready to arrive in time for Amelia’s birthday.

Home manager Abigail Denford said: “It was one of those moments where everyone just came together naturally. Our family members loved being involved, and the team didn’t hesitate for a second. It reminded us how powerful small, familiar acts of kindness can be, not just for the person receiving them, but for everyone taking part too.”

Moments like this reflect how important it is to Heanton to stay connected to the community. Whether that’s heading out for a coffee, welcoming neighbours into the home for a BBQ, or even coming together to help make a little girl’s birthday wish come true. These connections matter, because they remind everyone that life at Heanton is lived alongside the world around them, held close rather than set apart.

To read more about the events and people at Heanton –  News & Blogs – Heanton Nursing Home – Devon Nursing Home

North Devon Nursing Home Throws Birthday Dance Party

Edenmore Nursing Home in Ilfracombe, North Devon, recently held a birthday celebration for one of its newest family members (the home’s fond term for residents), bringing people together for an afternoon filled with nostalgic music, dancing, and homemade cake.

Helen, described by her daughter as ‘a really fun lady with a wonderful sense of humour’, has been living at the North Devon Nursing home since December 2025, having moved into the home following a hospital stay for a period of respite. To mark her 73^rd birthday, the team arranged a celebration in the lounge. Helen wore a sparkly birthday badge, and everyone sang Happy Birthday as the team presented her with a homemade cake!

Music from across the decades set the tone for the afternoon. Songs such as Country Roads and Let’s Twist Again prompted smiles, singing and movement, with some family members choosing to dance together in the lounge while others joined in from their chairs, clapping or singing along.

The celebration reflected Edenmore’s approach to everyday life in the home, where people are supported to choose to take part in the ways which feel right for them, whether that’s being at the centre of the action or enjoying the atmosphere from a quieter area of the room.

Helen, who has a real fondness for singing, shared about the day, ‘It was one of the best days I have had in a long time!’

Home Manager Gayle shared, ‘For us, it doesn’t matter if you’re living in our home for a few weeks as you get back on your feet or moving in longer-term. For the time you are with us, we want you to feel at home, and we will make a fuss about special occasions like birthdays because that’s what makes each person feel loved and cared for.’

 

Edenmore Nursing Home offers 24-hour nursing care in Ilfracombe, North Devon, visit www.edenmorenursinghome.com for more information. 

SPRING IS NIGH. Birdwatching in North Devon

The birds are getting lively, the Blackbirds are trilling at dawn - I expect they are getting ready for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch which starts today. Here is a beautiful Robin posing for me in the sunshine at Rosemoor last Saturday. Leave a comment if you'll be taking part.

Not sure about the timing, as last year there is heavy rain and another named storm (Storm Ingrid) on the way today in the Southwest which seems to be par for the course for the Big Garden Birdwatch so a good oportunity to have a cup of coffee and count the birds through the window.

Want to attract a variety of birds? By far the favourite food for most of them are Sunflower Hearts but its best to have a variety of birdfood and always keep birdbaths filled up as they need water and love splashing about preening and fluffing their feathers at this time of year

My tips to encourage all types of birds to your garden.

Sunflower hearts - Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Sparrows, Blue Tits, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Greenfinch, Starlings will take over the feeding stations at this time if year.

Peanuts - Blue Tits, Woodpecker, Sparrows, Chaffinch, Robin
 

Niger Seed - Goldfinch, Blue Tit

Sunflower Seeds - Bullfinch
 

Meal Worms - Loved by ground feeders including Robin, Blackbird, Dunnock and Wren
 

Fat balls, Suet cake - all the birds love this

 

Attention -  its time for the Big Garden Birdwatch. Photo copyright Pat Adams North Devon Focus

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"Big Garden Birdwatch is the UK's biggest citizen science wildlife survey. By taking part, you can help us understand how our garden birds are doing right now.

Join the world's largest garden wildlife survey 23th-25th January 2026" - Find out more at  RSPB 

Big Garden Birdwatch is the UK's biggest citizen science wildlife survey. By taking part, you can help us understand how our garden birds are doing right now.