Pam’s World: Entering Altered Reality. An Insight from Edenmore Nursing Home

Understanding how to support someone living with a Dementia is not always straightforward. As memories disappear, the way a person experiences the world can shift, and what feels real to them may not match the present moment. This means we are sometimes navigating a reality that is different from our own.

This piece shares an insight into how care teams respond in those moments, focusing on something known as therapeutic lying, and why it can sometimes be the kindest approach. Through Pam’s story, we explore what it means to step into someone else’s reality to help them feel safe, understood and at ease, and why insisting on the ‘truth’ can sometimes cause unnecessary distress, rather than comfort.

Therapeutic Lies in Practice

A therapeutic lie is a thoughtful, compassionate response used to reduce anxiety and meet someone in their current reality. If a person asks for their mother, father or loved one, forgetting that they are no longer with us, correcting them may re-open grief or make the loss feel as though it is happening for the first time.

Softly reassuring them that their loved one has popped out to the shops can provide comfort and emotional safety. Alternatively, gentle redirection of the conversation, or asking if they would like to go for a walk, can help them focus on something else and reduce anxiety.

Rather than focusing on factual accuracy, therapeutic lying is about protecting someone’s emotional world. By not correcting or challenging their reality, we can reduce feelings of confusion or distress. Instead, we meet them where they are, offering reassurance and support so they can feel safe and understood.

Pam, 80 years young and living at Edenmore for just over four years, has a learning disability and lives with a Dementia. For her, comfort comes from a place that might surprise others but makes perfect sense within her world.

Reassurance, connection and touch are deeply important to Pam. She is soothed by holding hands and becomes anxious if she does not feel close to someone. When she feels overwhelmed, lying down with her favourite soft toys, especially Tony the squirrel, helps her settle.

When Pam was very young, she won Tony in a lucky dip, a story that she shares often with those around her. He has stayed with her ever since, becoming something she is deeply attached to. To Pam, Tony is not simply a soft toy, but an incredibly real and important relationship in her life.

For someone living with a Dementia, objects, people or routines may take on a strong emotional meaning, and these attachments can bring a sense of reassurance and familiarity.

Tony also plays an important role in supporting Pam’s health. If she does not feel like eating, the team will offer a little food to Tony first, which can often encourage her. If she doesn’t want to drink water, they will try pouring it into her small doll’s tea set and offer it to Tony, which can also gently prompt her to drink. These routines have been created by the team and come from their understanding of Pam’s history and what is most important to her.

When Tony’s stuffing began to come out, and his ears and arms became worn, there was a concern that losing him could cause Pam real upset. Clinical Lead Teresa, who enjoys sewing, took him home and carefully stitched new ears and arms onto him. Tony was returned safely to Pam, restored and whole, preserving not just a soft toy, but a source of comfort and continuity in her day-to-day life.

For people who may not understand how important this relationship is to Pam, it may seem like the right thing to do to tell her Tony is ‘not real’ and try to correct her perspective. But by recognising how important Tony is to Pam, and respecting that her connection to him is a very real relationship in her world, the team help her to feel safe and secure, rather than causing confusion and upsetting the way she understands and experiences things around her.

Is it Right to Lie?

There is not always a simple answer when it comes to whether telling the truth or offering a therapeutic lie is the ‘right’ thing to do. There are moments that ask us to consider what will best support someone’s wellbeing and the focus shifts from being right, to being kind.

Therapeutic lies, when used thoughtfully and responsibly, are acts of care. They allow people like Pam to feel safe, valued and emotionally held in a world that no longer behaves as it once did - recognising that, in moments of confusion, Pam’s version of the truth is the one that matters most.

Edenmore Nursing Home provides 24-hour nursing and residential care, supporting each person to continue living a life that feels meaningful and true to who they are.

 

Ralph the Therapy Dog Makes a Paw-sitive First Visit to Heanton Nursing Home

At Heanton Nursing Home, a new four-legged visitor has already made a strong impression to everyone at the home.

Ralph, a therapy dog from Pets for Therapy, recently made his first visit to the home alongside his owner, Gemma Darke, spending time with residents (who the home fondly refers to as family members) and team members across the home. From the moment he arrived, Ralph quickly became a popular guest, bringing plenty of smiles as he made his way around

The visit marks the start of regular visits, with Ralph now set to return each month. During his first visit, he spent time enjoying plenty of fuss and helping to create natural moments of conversation. One family member, Roger, particularly enjoyed spending time with him, making the most of the visit and the chance to have Ralph by his side.

Abigail Denford, Home Manager, spoke about the value of introducing visits like these. She said: “Animals can often bring something different into the day. They can help people feel settled and can encourage conversations about pets from earlier in life. It was lovely to see how naturally people responded to Ralph and how much they enjoyed having him here.”

Therapy animal visits can play an important role in care settings, offering companionship, encouraging interaction and helping to create moments of familiarity. For some, it can also be a simple source of enjoyment and a welcome change to the day. At Heanton Nursing Home, introducing regular visits from Ralph is another way the home continues to create meaningful and enjoyable experiences for family members as part of everyday life.

 

For more information about life and activities at Heanton Nursing Home, please visit Activities in Care - Heanton Nursing Home

Pupils Help Decorate New Lounge at North Devon Nursing Home

Schoolchildren from Ilfracombe Junior School recently visited Edenmore Nursing Home to help add some sea-inspired decorations to the home’s newly refurbished lounge.

During the afternoon, family members (residents) and the children painted small wooden fish, which have now been hung in the new lounge as part of the room’s décor.

The space has been refreshed with nautical and seaside-inspired touches, shaped by Edenmore’s coastal setting and sea views. One of the feature walls includes a fishing net and starfish, where the painted fish are now displayed!

Some of the pupils had visited previously for the home’s VE Day celebrations, but this time the whole Year 3 class came along! Visits like these have become a lovely way of keeping the home connected to the local community and bringing different generations together.

Family members Susan and Adrian particularly enjoyed the visit. Susan spent time carefully painting alongside the pupils, while Adrian enjoyed walking around the room, chatting with different students.

Once the fish had been painted, the class was invited upstairs for a sneak peek at the new lounge. They were asked to guess where their decorations would be displayed, with many quickly spotting the fishing net feature where they have now been hung.

Before heading back to school, the children performed a poem for the family members, ending the afternoon on a lovely note.

Team member Emma shared about the day, ‘It was a lovely afternoon for everyone. The children absolutely love spending time with Susan, and they loved seeing the new lounge. They actually gasped when they walked in the room!’

The new lounge has now officially opened and is already being enjoyed by family members. On the day of the opening, family member John particularly enjoyed spending some time with Doug, the home’s project manager, with the pair sharing a conversation about tools. When John learned Doug had been part of the team responsible for the room’s new look, he shook his hand and said, ‘Thank you. I love it, it’s amazing.’

The refurbishment is part of several projects taking place throughout the home, helping to create spaces that feel welcoming, comfortable and engaging for the people who live and work there. 

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Edenmore Nursing Home offers 24-hour nursing and residential care by the North Devon coast. To learn more about life at Edenmore, visit www.edenmorenursinghome.com

 

The Burton wins the 2026 Hallett Independent Acquisitions Award at the London Original Print Fair

We are delighted to announce that The Burton at Bideford has been awarded the prestigious 2026 Hallett Independent Acquisitions Award at the London Original Print Fair.

The award has enabled us to acquire two remarkable etchings by celebrated artist Dame Paula Rego RA for The Burton’s permanent collection: Mary, Mary Quite Contrary I (1989) and Little Miss Muffet I (1989).

Paula Rego (1935–2022) was a pre-eminent British-Portuguese visual artist and fierce storyteller who used emotionally charged figurative art to subvert fairy tales, challenge social norms, and champion women's rights. Part of Rego’s Nursery Rhymes series, the works reimagine familiar childhood tales through the artist’s distinctive visual language. Their acquisition brings work by one of the twentieth century’s most influential artists to North Devon, making internationally significant art accessible to local audiences and enriching The Burton’s growing collection.

The works were selected by our Director Harriet Cooper, for purchase through RAW Editions a London-based gallery with expertise in post-war and contemporary editions.

Harriet Cooper said:

“We are thrilled to welcome these important works to The Burton’s collection, where they will support future exhibitions, learning programmes and community engagement. This purchase is part of our strategy to bring work by leading contemporary artists into conversation with the unique heritage of Northern Devon, reflecting on how our rich local identity connects to vital global conversations.”

RAW Editions shared:

“It was fantastic meeting Harriet Cooper and we are thrilled to be able to support their curatorial and educational programme through this acquisition. These have been works close to our heart as a young family and we can’t wait to follow their journey at The Burton as they become part of the local community and inspire new artists.”

The Hallett Independent Acquisitions Award is a purchase grant to enable a museum or gallery to acquire an original print or prints for their collection. The Award aims not only to enhance art collections across the country, but also to build relationships between museum curators and the art market. Hallett Independent, who generously fund the Award, are brokers specialising in fine art and heritage insurance, committed to supporting museums throughout the country.

The Burton’s permanent collection includes over 3,000 artworks and objects, covering a breadth of specialisms including fine art, ceramics, decorative art, photography and works on paper. Originally established through artist Hubert Coop RBA’s gift to the borough of Bideford, the collection has grown through major acquisitions and gifts over the past 75-years to represent works of local, national and international significance.

The acquisitions supported by Hallett Independent will be included in the two-year project Burton 2101: Collections for the Future supported by Art Fund, and be part of a forthcoming project exploring the trope of the vilified woman in relation to the history of The Bideford Witch Trials in 1682 which resulted in the last documented executions of women accused of witchcraft in England.

Little Miss Muffet I (1989), Paula Rego, Etching with aquatint,

Mary, Mary Quite Contrary I (1989), Paula Rego, Etching with aquatint, printed by Culford Press, via RAW Editions

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The Burton at Bideford, Kingsley Road, Bideford EX39 2QQ. Free entry. For more details see www.theburton.org or get in touch at info@theburton.org.  

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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.

 

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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

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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

Ilfracombe Nursing Home Shares Reflections from Jillian

For individuals whose mobility have changed over time, moving around can become difficult or painful, meaning receiving care in bed may become the most comfortable and supportive option for them. Whether through need or personal choice, a bedroom can become far more than four walls. It becomes a sanctuary, filled with familiarity, comfort and the small things that make somewhere feel like home.

It’s so important that their space reflects them as a person, surrounding them with the things that really matter to them, both emotionally and physically. What might matter deeply to a person is often shaped over the course of a life, through the people they love, the places they’ve visited and the experiences that have stayed with them.

Spending time with Jillian, a family member (resident) at Edenmore Nursing Home, it was clear to see how the environment around her reflected the person she is and the things that continue to matter to her today.

Early Life on the Farm

Born in 1938, Jillian was just one year old when the war started. Her family lived on a farm in Powys, Wales, and her father was a sheep farmer. Her mother was a homemaker, taking care of the household and raising the children. Jillian had an older brother, and later, she would have two younger sisters. She remembers her parents to be generous and kind people. She doesn’t recall too much of being very young but shares, ‘I’m sure I was sometimes naughty like any child!’

During the war, she remembers prisoners of war coming to work on the farm from a nearby camp. She shares that they were lovely, ‘They just wanted to go back to their families, who they missed very much. My parents were very kind and really took them in. They also helped them send packages of food back to their loved ones.’

School, Friendship and a Love of French

When she was seven or eight years old, the family moved to a farm in Ombersley, Worcestershire. There she attended a private school in Worcester called Sunnyside, where she became friends with some girls who she remains in contact with still today. From her school days she still remembers how afraid they were of the headmistress, ‘I’m sure she was a perfectly nice lady, but she was strict and scared us.’

Jillian became pen pals with a girl in Paris around this time, and the two ended up doing an exchange and visiting each other’s homes and living with their families for a few weeks. She loved it, and her pen pal’s family were very friendly and welcoming and took her around Paris.

As she moved through school, her favourite subject unsurprisingly became French. She also loved athletics, particularly running and high jumping and even competed at national level.

University, Marriage and Family Life

When she had completed school, she went on to study French at Cardiff University. This was where she met her future husband, Bill, who was also studying. He was from Aberdeen and had sadly lost both his parents but had a very lovely uncle and aunt. Jillian and Bill married when she was twenty-three and moved to Maidenhead, in time having their two children, Tim and Bethany.

Jillian went on to teach French at a grammar school. The students were, for the most part very engaged and well behaved. But there was of course the odd one or two difficult pupils who made mean comments to make everyone laugh and played the class clowns. One of the things Jillian loved most about her teaching role was the friendships she grew with the other teaching staff.

Later, they began to move around a lot for Bill’s work, living in Brussels and even Connecticut for a while, before moving back to the UK. During this time, she continued to teach French through tutoring. She describes their marriage simply: “We got on very well, we had a lot of the same interests and friends. Of course, no one is perfect, but I can’t remember any real problems.”

When they moved to England, Jillian worked for several years at a Waterstones in Windsor. She loved to read and so really enjoyed working there, and she was responsible for setting up open readings with authors when they were promoting their new books. Through this role she met several famous authors, including Sir David Attenborough! She still remembers the queues of people waiting outside for their signed copies of books.

Moving into Edenmore

In later life, Jillian was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. As she began to need more support, she moved into Edenmore Nursing Home, close to where her son, Tim, lives. Tim visits often and regularly brings his two dogs with him, who jump up onto Jillian’s bed to say hello. Today, Jillian is cared for in bed, as her needs now mean she is most comfortable there.

More Than Just a Bedroom

In Jillian’s bedroom, an antique bureau from her previous home stands against one wall, its surface covered in photographs of her family, captured moments holding much meaning. She talks through the places they were taken, the names of her siblings, children, children-in-law and grandchildren. One of these is a silver-framed image from her wedding day, showing her and her husband, Bill, standing hand in hand on the church steps.

On the opposite wall, artwork sits alongside a framed record by Edward Elgar, one of her favourite composers. A large mirror has been carefully positioned so that, from her bed, she can see out through the window. It is here that her attention often rests, watching birds move between rooftops and wires. Blue tits and robins are some of her favourites.

By the door, a small set of drawers holds a vase of fresh flowers, sent each week by her daughter, who also calls every day – on this particular day, she is calling from the Bahamas.

What Matters Most

When asked what matters most to her today, her answer is simple: ‘Family.’ There is much love behind the word. She continues, ‘I am very lucky. And they spoil me.’

When asked what else is important to her, she shares, ‘It sounds ridiculous or silly, but one of the most important things to me is being able to look through my mirror to the window. I love to watch the birds flying around outside, and many of them land on the wires and the roofs of the houses.’

One of her favourite memories from the last few years, was when her son, Tim, took her for a day out and they went to a field filled with sheep and lambs. ‘I love to sit and watch them, it’s so lovely to see.’ When asked if these moments are so special to her because of her childhood and growing up on farms she nods and smiles, ‘Oh, definitely.’

Jillian likes to spend time watching wildlife programmes on the television in her room, as well as keeping up with politics and the news of the wider world.

Tim recently got Jillian an iPad on a stand beside her bed and is going to download books onto it, so she is able to read again more easily, by turning the pages with a simple tap of the screen.

Of the people around her each day, she speaks warmly. ‘The carers are so kind, and the girls are very sweet. The boys are cheeky and teasing, which is good for me.’

Through Jillian’s reflections, what stands out most is the importance of connection; to family, to cherished memories, to nature, to books, and to keeping in contact with her friends and loved ones. Now, more than ever, it is the simple things that continue to bring comfort and meaning to her life.

Although there are moments of frustration in no longer having the same physical freedom she once did, there is also a sense of peace in the space around her. Surrounded by familiar belongings, photographs, flowers, and the view from her window, Jillian has created a sanctuary that still reflects the life she has lived and the person she continues to be.

‘This is my little home,’ she says. ‘I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else if I am in bed and unable to move.’

Edenmore Nursing Home offers 24-hour nursing and residential care by the North Devon coast. To learn more about life at Edenmore, visit www.edenmorenursinghome.com

Chair Zumba Brings Connection at Heanton Nursing Home

Music drifts through the room most weeks at Heanton Nursing Home, where regular entertainer Robert “Roberto” Campbell leads chair-based Zumba sessions with residents (who the home fondly refers to as family members).

With more than 20 years’ experience, Roberto’s sessions are gentle and led by the mood of the room rather than routines, some people join straight in, others sit quietly nearby, tapping a hand on the arm of a chair or singing a few words when a familiar song comes on.

“It’s never been about getting people to follow steps,” Home Manager Abigail Denford said. “It’s about what the music brings out in someone.”

For many, music can also reconnect people with parts of their identity. Songs linked to earlier life and the simple act of moving with others can bring nostalgia and community.

It reflects the wider approach to care within the home, where behaviour is seen as a form of communication. Support is shaped around the person rather than trying to correct or control them. Over time, Roberto’s visits have become a familiar part of the month.

Even as people’s needs change, the focus within the home stays the same, creating an environment where people feel comfortable, understood and able to be themselves.

𝅘𝅥𝅮𝅘𝅥𝅮𝅘𝅥𝅮𝅘𝅥𝅮

𝅘𝅥𝅮𝅘𝅥𝅮𝅘𝅥𝅮𝅘𝅥𝅮

For more information about Heanton Nursing Home activities please visit Activities in Care – Heanton Nursing Home

Evolve Care Group Invites Over 500 Team Members to Training Academy

Evolve Care Group recently delivered their latest in-person training for team members across their homes in their Bristol-based training academy (Evolve Care Academy).

The group has care homes across Devon, Somerset and South Wales, offering a place to call home to people living with a varying range of needs, from dementia and complex care to residential and respite support.

The training sessions ran across four days so that all team members from the homes were able to take part.

The training covered a wide range of learning, including Evolve’s practice frameworks, shaped around the work of Thomas Kitwood and Carl Jung, dementia-friendly language, clinical knowledge, and ways to build connection with people living at the home who may find communication or engagement more difficult because of their cognitive journeys.

In one exercise from the day, small bags containing five random objects were placed on each table around the training room. Team members were invited to take out one item at a time and create a story inspired by it with the rest of the group.

The exercise encouraged creativity and storytelling as a way of connecting with others, using everyday objects as a jumping off point for conversation. The stories could be personal memories, stories heard from others, or completely imagined. What mattered most was the act of sharing and creating something engaging.

For people living with a Dementia or are on a cognitive journey, being asked direct questions can sometimes feel overwhelming or confusing. But if a story is being shared, it may evoke recognition or familiarity and encourage sharing of their own life experiences.

Something as simple as picking up a beach towel and talking about a sunny holiday in Spain may encourage someone else to speak about their own experiences of travelling, holidays or time spent with loved ones, bringing comfort, familiarity and positive feelings into the conversation.

Another part of the training included exploring a number of simulated environments built within the training room. Bedrooms, living rooms and dining rooms were set up as examples of inviting and colourful environments that encouraged stimulation, alongside environments which felt uninviting, dull or institutional, to show the impact and importance of creating spaces that feel positive, homely, engaging and personal.

Eve Carder, Clinical Lead of Evolve Care Group shared, ‘We are not creating institutions, we are creating homes, places of safety, of creativity and hopefully magic.’

Established in 2015, the groups care academy was born out of a realisation that outsourcing e-learning alone was not enough to upskill teams to provide the emotional support needed for individuals living in Evolve’s care homes.  Recognising the limitations of standalone digital learning, Evolve embraced a holistic approach that combines e-learning with interactive face-to-face courses and hands-on experience gained through understanding the lived experiences of people living in their homes.

To read more about training, learning and development provided by Evolve Care Group in their Evolve Care Academy, visit https://www.evolvecareacademy.com/

Homemade Scones and Favourite Songs Mark VE Day at Sundial Care Home

A residential care home near Sidmouth marked the 81st Anniversary of VE Day with their own afternoon celebration, bringing together relatives, friends and family members (residents) for music, singing and a traditional cream tea.

The care home’s Chef, Jayne, prepared fresh homemade scones served with cream and jam, alongside a Union Jack cheesecake decorated by House Lead, Husna, with strawberries and blueberries. The celebration also included a selection of nibbles and traditional refreshments, including cream soda and dandelion & burdock. Tables were also topped with fresh flowers that Care assistant Rotsen picked fresh from the homes three acre gardens.

Family members, loved ones and the team spent the afternoon singing, waving flags and reminiscing together as karaoke, organised by Care Assistants Jane and Rotsen, filled the home with old favourite songs. Many joined in throughout the celebration, creating a lively atmosphere full of laughter, conversation and shared moments.

“It was a lovely tea party” shared another team member. “Everyone really loved the scones.”

The event was held in recognition of both past and present veterans connected to Sundial Care Home, while giving people the opportunity to reflect, reminisce and enjoy the British traditions associated with VE Day together.

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

Summer Exhibition. Sir Alfred Munnings: Exmoor Through the Seasons at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

An exhibition of paintings by Sir Alfred Munnings, former President of the Royal Academy of Arts, capturing the evocative landscapes, people and ponies of Exmoor.

Sir Alfred Munnings and his wife, Violet, escaped the restrictions of their requisitioned Essex home, during the Second World War, by moving to a cottage in the Exmoor village of Withypool. During this period, Exmoor provided a joyful retreat. The oil paintings he produced while there capture the wild beauty of Exmoor through all four seasons. This exhibition showcases his love of Exmoor and its changing landscapes, its people and wild Exmoor ponies. The exhibition brings together art works and selections from Munnings’ published diaries and poetry written while living in Withypool. These offer a rare personal insight into his artistic process, the people he befriended while living there, and his relationship to the land.

 

Our summer exhibition is complemented by a series of events and activities for both adults and children, including En Plein Air sessions in Barnstaple and on Exmoor, and our regular Curious Creators programme of family-friendly artist-led sessions on Wednesdays throughout the school holidays.

Sir Alfred Munnings: Exmoor Through the Seasons

Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon, The Square, Barnstaple EX32 8LN

4th July – 26th September 2026

Website link - Sir Alfred Munnings: Exmoor Through the Seasons – Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

The Story Behind the Nurse, Annapurna’s Journey at Hatherleigh Nursing Home

During International Nurses Week, there’s a common focus on recognising the role of nurses, the responsibility they carry, the decisions they make, and the impact they can have on people’s lives. Behind that are individual stories shaped over time by personal journeys, experiences, support, and the reasons someone chose to care in the first place. This is Registered Nurse Annapurna Thirmalreddy’s story at Hatherleigh Nursing Home.

From a young age, Annapurna was told by her mother “Be brave, stand on your own feet, and learn all types of work”. This advice stayed with her, and when the time came to choose a career, nursing felt like the right path, offering both stability and a sense of purpose.

Annapurna completed her General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) training in 2005 at St. Ann’s Nursing School in India. With a hospital on site, she gained experience across different departments, building the foundations of her practice early on. “They taught me to be diligent and hardworking” she shared, and this is something she has carried with her ever since.

This year for International Nurses Week, the theme is “Empowered Nurses Save Lives”, we asked Annapurna “What does feeling empowered in your role mean to you personally?”

She shared, “Feeling empowered has given me the responsibility to care for, and sometimes even save the lives of those in my care. It’s made me feel stronger and more confident in my professional life.”

This sense of confidence has been built over time, supported by the care community around her. Annapurna describes Hatherleigh Nursing Home as somewhere she has been able to grow, both personally and professionally. The Devon nursing home provides continuous training for team members, offering opportunities to develop and progress in their careers through their Evolve Care Academy.

“Hatherleigh Nursing Home feels like my own home,” she said. “The whole leadership team, including Tamsin, Ashley, Elena, and the QA team who are available day to day are supportive and approachable. I am especially happy and proud to have Ashley as our Home Manager. She is kind, compassionate, and understands everyone’s needs, always offering support.”

However when Annapurna first arrived in the UK, things felt uncertain. “I didn’t know anyone and was struggling to find a place to live and a job for my husband,” she explained. “There were days when I thought about going back to India, but Ashley supported us through that time. She helped my husband find work as a care assistant, and we were able to settle into a nice flat.”

Annapurna was supported to complete her Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and gained her Nursing and Midwifery Council registration (NMC pin), making her a registered nurse in the UK.

Reflecting on that period, she added, “Ashley has played a big part in helping me become the nurse I am today.”

Her experience shows how encouragement can shape not only a nurse’s confidence, but the care they give to others. With the right support around her, Annapurna and her husband were able to build a life in the UK, both now with their own careers and settled into their own home.

Through her role at Hatherleigh Nursing Home, she now supports family members (residents) each day through clinical care, reassurance and advocacy, often acting as a calm and trusted presence during difficult moments.

“Nurses are often the voices for the people we support. We should treat them as though they were our own family” she shared, “Kindness, compassion and empathy are at the heart of nursing.”

We asked Annapurna what advice she would give to somebody starting their nursing career today.

“Be ready to learn, learn from your mistakes and just be happy”.

During this International Nurses Week, Annapurna’s story is a reminder that when nurses feel supported and empowered, that confidence reaches far beyond the individual themselves. It shapes the care, reassurance and advocacy they provide to people and families every single day.

If you would like to learn more about Hatherleigh Nursing Home, visit: https://www.hatherleighnursinghome.com/join-our-team/