A Howling Success! Sundial Care Home Hosts Community Dog Show

Sundial Care Home near Sidmouth, Devon, recently hosted its first dog show, welcoming family members (residents), team members, relatives and members of the local community through their doors.

Held in the 3 acre gardens at the care home, the team set up gazebos and umbrellas for shade, water bowls for the dogs and refreshments and cakes for everyone to enjoy. Family members were so looking forward to the event that some went out into the garden early to make sure they had a seat secured at the front!

The morning began with a parade, where each dog and handler walked around the garden and introduced themselves before the judging began. Family member Pat, who has experience in dog handling and has previously judged obedience at a variety of dog shows, took on the role for the day and, being in familiar territory, almost immediately settled into judging.

There were a number of categories to enter, including Waggiest Tail, Best at Retrieving, Gentlest Giant, Sweetest Small, Best Trick and Best in Show. Each class brought its own moments of fun, with family members and visitors clapping, laughing and sharing their thoughts as the judging took place.

Children who attended also got involved by helping hold leads and walk the dogs in some of the classes, adding to the family feel of the event.

Alongside the competition, one of the most meaningful parts of the morning was seeing the dogs and their handlers spending time with family members around the garden. Whether stopping for a stroke , saying hello or sitting alongside them, those smaller moments helped make the event feel personal and gave everyone an opportunity to connect.

At the end of the show, every dog received a certificate and a treat bag, and Pat was presented with flowers as a thank you for her judging.

One relative shared “Me & Jeep had an amazing time. Thanks to everyone & we're practicing our tricks for next year.” Another member of the community said “Thank you so much, it was great fun.”

Following the success of the event, several visitors have already asked whether the dog show could become an annual event at Sundial in the future, with some even offering to help out. The Devon care home continues to build strong community relationships while creating a home-from-home for its family members, supporting them to remain connected, involved and engaged within the local community.

 

-----

If you would like to learn more about Sundial Care Home, please visit: https://www.sundialcare.com/activities-in-care/

Continuing Faith, Community and Connection at a North Devon Care Home

Faith is something many of us have held onto throughout our lives, something we’ve turned to in moments of worry, loss and hope, something that has helped make sense of things when life hasn’t always been easy, and something that has connected us to a community, where people know us, remember us and we feel they belong.

When a move into a care home begins to feel like something that may soon need to be considered, we of course start by asking the practical questions about the location, care needs, food, activities, but then there are the more personal parts of life like faith, and the sense of connection that comes with it and whether those things will still be there, especially at a time when so much is changing and that sense of familiarity can matter more than ever.

For those that live at Heanton Nursing Home, that connection remains close.

St Augustine’s Church, the 13^th century parish church for Heanton Punchardon in North Devon, sits beside Heanton Nursing Home and has been part of the village’s parish life for many years.

Reverand Glyn Lewry is Priest in Charge at St Augustine’s, and he visits Heanton as a familiar and reassuring presence for many people living at the home.

People who call Heanton home can continue to visit the church if they wish. Some attend services, others spend time sitting quietly inside or in the churchyard. For those who have always had faith, these small continuations matter.  Hymns are still recognised. Prayers still hold meaning, and the sense of being part of something beyond the home remains.

Rev Lewry shared “there was someone who used to come regularly from Heanton, people knew him and he was part of the church community and that sense of being known does not disappear.”

A Continued Connection Through Life’s Difficult Moments

There are moments in life when that continued sense of connection can mean even more.

Rev Lewry supports people across the local community through some of life’s most difficult and emotional moments, often simply by being there when words are hard to find.

During more emotional and uncertain times in life, it is often that quiet presence and reassurance that matter most. A known voice, someone sitting beside you, or the comfort of being recognised can mean a great deal.

In those moments, faith can offer comfort. A prayer, a reading, or simply someone being there without expectation. Not to lead, but to sit alongside.

Moving into Heanton doesn’t mean leaving those parts of life behind, they continue, just in a different way.

Community tea garden created by refugees opens in Barnstaple

A community tea garden co-designed and built by people navigating the asylum process and the refugee community has been opened in the heart of Barnstaple. 

The garden is the work of Project Unitea – a partnership initiative between Devon Wildlife Trust, Pickwell Foundation and Barnstaple Town Council. The project has been made possible thanks to £18,000 support from the National Lottery Community Fund through its Awards for All (England).

The Unitea garden was opened on Tuesday 16^th June as part of Refugee Week - ‘the world’s largest arts and cultural festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary’.  

Project Unitea is bringing people together through a shared love of nature, conversation and connection. The project centres around a small community tea garden, using space donated by Barnstaple Town Council close to the town’s clock tower and museum.

Project Unitea involves people supported by the Pickwell Foundation, as they settle into the area, offering them the opportunity to take part in practical outdoor activities, improve their wellbeing, and build confidence in using English through informal learning.

Participants have worked with Devon Wildlife Trust Wilder Communities Lead Katie Wilkinson, along with Barnstaple Town Council Estates Apprentice Matt Simmons, to co-design and construct the tea garden. It has used plants – including chamomile, lemon balm and rosemary - which can be harvested and blended into tea.

The garden has been developed following nature-friendly principles. Its plants have been carefully selected to attract pollinating insects, while the beds have used peat-free compost, and avoided the application of herbicides and pesticides.

A Unitea participant with lived experience of resettlement, said:

“It was a unique and enjoyable project. Even though it was short and small, it was incredibly fun especially for growing herbs. This is a new project, and I hope it will be well received and welcomed by others.”

Nicola Jenner, Communications and Events Manager, Pickwell Foundation said:

“Project Unitea demonstrates the powerful role that nature can play in bringing people together. Through simple, shared activities such as planting, harvesting, and making tea, participants can build relationships, practise language skills, and support their wellbeing.

The project also plays an important role in broadening awareness and promoting community cohesion, helping people to learn from one another and build a stronger, more inclusive local community.”

Barnstaple Town Council Estates Manager, Wayne Palmer said: 

 “Barnstaple Town Councill are pleased to be involved in the Unitea project and to continue working in partnership with Devon Wildlife Trust and Pickwell Foundation. Initiatives like this play an important role in supporting the Town Council’s ambition for cleaner and greener spaces. 

We encourage residents to make use of this resource responsibly, ensuring it can continue to be enjoyed by others”.   

Mayor of Barnstaple, Councillor Loki Dawson said: 

“Project ‘Unitea’ is a valuable addition to Barnstaple, providing a shared community resource. The tea garden offers something simple, an opportunity for people to utilise nature and enjoy a cup of tea. Launching during Refugee Week, this project highlights the importance of community and inclusive, shared spaces.” 

Katie Wilkinson, Devon Wildlife Trust said:

‘’This pilot project has been a wonderful collaboration between three organisations who are working for people and nature in Barnstaple. It’s been a real joy to work with volunteers from Pickwell Foundation to build this little tea garden. We’ve had so much support from the community of Barnstaple too and we’re looking forward to welcoming more people into the space with some creative events.  

We want the tea garden to act as a catalyst to bring people together over a freshly foraged cuppa tea. Sharing tea, sharing experiences and building stronger connections with one another.’’

Photo (left to right) Matt Simmons (Barnstaple Town Council), Unitea participant), Katie Wilkinson (Devon Wildlife Trust) and Wayne Palmer (Barnstaple Town Council)

People can find out more about project Unitea via its webpages at www.devonwildlifetrust.org/project-unitea

 ------------------------------------

National Lottery players raise over £32 million a week for good causes across the UK. Thanks to them, The National Lottery Community Fund distributes over £600 million a year through over 13,000 grants. The funder plans to invest over £4 billion of funding into communities by 2030. It supports projects across the whole of the UK to turn their truly life-changing ideas into reality.

To find out more visit The National Lottery Community Fund website.

The Pickwell Foundation

Barnstaple Town Council

Homepage | Devon Wildlife Trust