International Food Tasting Event

Sundial Care Home near Sidmouth recently held its annual international food tasting event, with team members bringing in homemade dishes from around the world and from their own heritage to share with family members (residents) and the rest of the team.

The event is a chance to celebrate the different cultures through food within the residential care home, with everyone encouraged to taste something they may not have tried before. It also gives team members an opportunity to bring something personal from their own lives into the home, whether that is a favourite dish, a family recipe or food connected to their culture.

This year, the table was filled with chicken noodles, balti curry and rice, samosas and bhajis, followed by brownies and flapjacks. Rather than a usual lunchtime, plates and dishes were passed around the table for people to sample, with conversation naturally turning to the different flavours and ingredients.

There was also a homemade lassi made with yoghurt, mint, coriander and pepper, traditionally enjoyed after curry to refresh the palate. The drink proved particularly interesting for those tasting it for the first time and prompted plenty of discussion about what went into it and the different food traditions people had experienced over the years.

The international food tasting also reflects the wider community within Sundial, where people from different backgrounds spend their days together and get to know one another beyond their everyday routines. Bringing a dish from home is one small way for team members to share a part of who they are with the people they live and work alongside.

Regular events like this are an important part of the community at Sundial, bringing family members and team members together and strengthening the sense of belonging within the home.

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

Local Therapist Brings Mindfulness Through Art to Sundial Care Home

Painted pebbles, gold-leaf seashells and handmade surfboards have been taking shape at Sundial Care Home in Tipton St John, during a series of monthly Minds Matter art therapy sessions.

The sessions are led by local cognitive behavioural hypnotherapist Charlotte Allen, who primarily works with children but also brings her work into care home settings. Charlotte visits the residential care home near Sidmouth once a month with a different creative project for family members (residents) to try. Each session gives family members plenty of room to explore the materials in their own way, choosing the colours, shapes and designs that appeal to them without needing any previous art experience.

Recent sessions have followed a seaside theme, with family members decorating pebbles, making seaside pieces from air-dry clay and adding gold leaf to seashells. The finished pieces were then brought together in display frames, so each person’s creation became a part of something. Other sessions have included making glitter jars, which can be turned and watched as the glitter settles.

The creative sessions are as much about the process as the finished pieces, supporting fine motor skills, mindfulness and focus, while giving family members the opportunity to make their own creative choices and enjoy the social interaction that comes with making something together.

Charlotte Allen shared: “I try to make each session varied, interesting and easy for everyone to take part in. I enjoy seeing residents make their own choices about colours, shapes and designs, and the conversations that often come from a shared activity.”

Mindfulness can play a valuable part in supporting wellbeing within a care home. Moments that allow someone to feel settled and absorbed can ease restlessness and support emotional wellbeing, bringing a little more balance to the everyday.

The monthly sessions will continue at Sundial Care Home, with new materials and ideas giving family members something different to explore each time.

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

Aloha from North Devon! Heanton Nursing Home gets a Hawaiian makeover

Family members at Heanton Nursing Home went to bed in North Devon and woke up to a taste of Hawaii after the home’s night team spent the night transforming their surroundings for a surprise Hawaiian Day.

While family members (residents) slept, the night team decorated the different households within Heanton with tropical decorations, grass skirts and colourful table displays, ready for everyone to discover when they woke the following morning. The celebrations were inspired by Hawaii Statehood Day, which marks Hawaii becoming the 50th US state, but at Heanton it was also an opportunity to turn an ordinary summer day into something a little different.

Hawaiian shirts had been ordered for family members who chose to dress for the occasion, while a mocktail bar returned after proving particularly popular during a previous Hawaiian-themed day at the home. Relatives also came into Heanton especially to join in with the celebrations. Some family members already had exactly the right wardrobe for the occasion, with bright colours, bold florals and tropical prints appearing from their own wardrobes!

The team were very much part of the day too, with many ordering Hawaiian shirts of their own and competing for the title of Hawaiian King or Queen. Pineapples were awarded to those who had made the greatest effort, with winners chosen from different parts of the home as well as the night team.

Home Manager Abigail Denford said: “I think what made the day particularly lovely was that it started long before everyone woke up. Our night team wanted family members to have that surprise in the morning, so they spent the night putting up all the decorations and transforming the households for them.”

By the time the decorations eventually came down, Heanton may have looked a little less tropical, but the day had shown that creating moments together is not something reserved for particular hours. Whether it is morning, afternoon or the middle of the night, there is always life happening at Heanton.

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

A Career Built on Compassion, Jojo’s Story

Every person who works in care has their why. For Jojo (Joanne), House Lead at Sundial Care Home, a career in care was never just about finding a job, It was about giving something back to her community. Inspired by her two grandmothers, who both worked as auxiliary nurses at the local hospital in Ottery St Mary, caring has always been part of her life. This is her story.

Jojo joined Sundial more than nine years ago after almost leaving the care sector altogether.

"My previous care home closed after a change in ownership, and it wasn't being run well. Despite staff raising concerns, nothing changed, and I nearly decided that care wasn't for me anymore…. then I found Sundial."

"I was welcomed with open arms from my very first day. Although I already had qualifications, including my NVQ, BTEC and Diploma in Care, I wanted to start again as a Care Assistant and learn the Evolve Care Group way of caring."

Evolve Care Group offers every team member the opportunity to take part in its bespoke Evolve Care Academy. Designed to support ongoing learning and development, the programme equips team members with the skills and confidence to grow in their role and progress their career.

Since then, Jojo has progressed from Care Assistant to House Lead, later becoming a Care Practitioner and now Induction Lead, while remaining someone her team know they can rely on.

"I'll happily step into any role if I'm needed, whether that's supporting the care team or even helping with the odd maintenance job. We're all here to support each other."

Looking back, Jojo says training has shaped not only the way she provides care, but also the way she understands herself.

"One thing that has always stayed with me from the training is being asked, 'Who am I?' Learning about yourself first, through ideas like Thomas Kitwood's Flower  and understanding your own values, helps you understand the people you support even better."

Like Jojo, many team members at Sundial Care Home have been supported to progress through the Evolve Care Academy.

When asked what a typical day looks like, Jojo shared:

“There really isn't one. Of course we support family members (residents) with their daily needs, but we also have time to sit together, laugh together and simply spend time with people. Sometimes it's a group activity, sometimes it's supporting an individual to do something they enjoy, and sometimes it's just offering reassurance when someone isn't feeling themselves."

She also shared:

"That's what makes Sundial special. It's warm, homely and compassionate. We genuinely care about one another. The team feels like an extended family, and Liz, our Home Manager, has always believed in us and helped me become more confident over the years."

For Jojo, the most rewarding part of working in care has always been the relationships she builds with family members. Looking back over her nine years at Sundial, one relationship in particular continues to stay with her.

Marilyn first came to Sundial for respite care before later moving into the home permanently. Over time, Jojo and Marilyn developed a close bond.

"I had an amazing bond with Marilyn. She didn't always communicate with words, but through smiles, holding hands and simply being together. We laughed together, smiled together and sometimes cried together, especially after her beloved husband passed away."

Jojo supported Marilyn through one of the most difficult periods of her life, building a close relationship not only with Marilyn but also with her daughter, who often said Jojo was her mum's special person.

As Marilyn's health sadly declined, Jojo became one of the few people she would still accept food and drink from.

"Towards the end, she often wouldn't accept food or drinks from anyone else, but she would from me. She wasn't just someone I cared for; she became one of my closest friends."

The pair spent many evenings watching The Chase, sharing stories about their families and holidays, and looking through photographs. They even discovered they had both visited the same place in Portugal and had each swum with dolphins there.

When Marilyn passed away peacefully, Jojo later returned to that same place during a family holiday.

"I knew Marilyn would never be able to go back because of her health, so seeing the dolphins again felt like something I could do for her. It was my final goodbye."

Looking back on more than nine years at Sundial Care Home, Jojo says it's the relationships she has built that have made her career so rewarding.

"Seeing people happy, sharing laughter and knowing you've made a difference, those memories stay with you forever."

For Jojo, caring for Marilyn is just one of many moments that she will carry with her. Whether it's encouraging someone to continue doing the things they love, sharing moments of laughter, or simply being there when someone needs support, it's the privilege of becoming part of people's lives that continues to remind her why she chose a career in care, and why she stayed.

Finally, when asked to describe Sundial Care Home in just a few words, without hesitation Jojo shared:

“Rewarding. Extended family. Love and compassion.”

If you would like to learn more about a career at Sundial Care Home near Sidmouth, visit https://www.sundialcare.com/join-our-team/

 

Heanton Nursing Home welcomes former pupils back for St Christopher’s reunion

Heanton Nursing Home welcomed dozens of people from the local community through its doors when former pupils of St Christopher’s School, which was based in the historic building until 1985, returned for a special reunion.

For former pupils, walking through the building brought back plenty of memories, from the rooms and original staircases they once used to stories of travelling to and from school. While the former classrooms have since become living areas for family members at Heanton, many were pleased to find the beautiful view across the burrows unchanged. There was plenty that was new to discover too, from the extension to the grounds and flowering lawn.

The reunion also gave family members at Heanton the chance to be part of a much wider community occasion, sharing their home with people who had their own memories of the building. Family members spent time outside amongst the visitors, enjoying the company and conversations, alongside a friendly neighbourhood cat who regularly visits Heanton and also joined the gathering!

Home Manager Abigail Denford said: “One of the things we heard again and again was how beautiful the view still is. Heanton has obviously changed enormously since it was a school, but it was lovely seeing people recognise parts of the building and then share those memories with the people who live here now. Being connected to the community around us is really important to life at Heanton. A nursing home shouldn't feel separate from the community it belongs to, and days like this are a lovely example of what can happen when people come through our doors and spend time together.”

There is something rather special about seeing people return to a building that was once such a big part of their childhood. Heanton has changed considerably since the days of St Christopher’s, but at its heart, it is still a place filled with people, friendships, conversation and care. The children who once filled its classrooms have grown up, and today a new generation of people call Heanton home.

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

Former Flight Engineer’s Life in the Skies Remembered

A former flight engineer whose career took him from aircraft hangars at Gatwick to the skies around the world has had his remarkable story put into writing by the team at Edenmore Nursing Home.

Born in July 1940, Colin was placed for adoption by his mother and spent his early childhood in foster care before moving to More Place War Nursery during the war. It was not a particularly happy period of his childhood, and one he has spoken little about with his loved ones. When Colin was five, however, his life changed for the better when he was adopted.

His adoptive parents lived in Kent and were an older couple who had sadly been unable to have children of their own.

Young Colin was quite mischievous, his daughter Lisa shared, ‘He once accidentally burned down the scout clubhouse!’ It’s not entirely clear how this happened, but it wasn’t deliberate and is a story now told fondly, with plenty of laughter.

Colin went on to become a flight engineer, a career that required considerable mathematical and technical knowledge. As Lisa explained, ‘In those days, I think someone could show an aptitude for something and, with a little luck and determination, progress from there.’ His career reflected both his natural ability and his determination to succeed.

Colin began his aviation career in 1964 with Ace Freighters at Gatwick Airport, working as a ground engineer on Lockheed Constellation aircraft before obtaining his Flight Engineer’s licence.

His career later took his young family to Zambia, where he worked on Hercules C130s, before returning to the UK and joining Laker Airways as a Flight Engineer on the Boeing DC-10.

Flying long-haul routes around the world, Colin combined his engineering knowledge with life as part of the flight crew. If an aircraft needed repair work after landing somewhere such as America or Barbados, he had the expertise to carry it out himself.

His daughter, Lisa, also has vivid memories of growing up around her dad’s career. She and her brothers would visit aircraft hangars, go aboard the planes and watch the ground engineers at work. On some flights, Lisa even travelled in the cockpit jump seat alongside her dad.

After Laker Airways went into administration, Colin later returned to flying with Dan-Air on the Boeing 727 and subsequently worked on Boeing 747s before joining Monarch Airlines as a Flight Engineer on the DC-10.

Today, Colin lives at Edenmore Nursing Home in Ilfracombe, where conversations about aircraft and his flying days remain one of the best ways for those around him to connect with him. Laker Airways, in particular, still holds a special place in his memories.

His aviation career is just one chapter of a much wider life story, which his family and the team at Edenmore have recently brought together – from Colin’s early childhood and family life to his love of gardening, Jaguars and dogs, and his life today at Edenmore.

To read Colin’s full story, visit: From Humble Beginnings to High-flyer: Colin’s Story

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

Beach Party Brings the Seaside to Sundial Care Home

Sundial Care Home, in the heart of Tipton St John village in Devon, brought the seaside to the home with its annual Beach Party. While Sidmouth Beach is just a short distance away and many family members (residents) enjoy regular visits there, the Beach Party ensured everyone could experience the classic British seaside from home.

The residential care home's three-acre gardens were transformed with beach backdrops, umbrellas, paddling pools, sand pits, buckets and spades, inflatable instruments and a bubble machine. Musical duo Blue Sky Busking returned to perform after proving popular during a previous visit to the home, with family members, relatives and visitors singing along throughout the afternoon.

Team Member Jo served mocktails made with tropical juice, grenadine and lemonade, finished with colourful cocktail umbrellas that family member Geraldine enjoyed helping prepare.

"The feedback has been excellent. Who needs to go to the beach when the beach party is at Sundial with fantastic mocktails!" Jo shared.

The Kitchen Team, led by Liz, cooked burgers and hot dogs, served in takeaway boxes. Relative and volunteer at the home Lindsay, baked butterfly cakes, ginger cake and coffee cake topped with dolly mixtures, while ice creams and fruit kebabs were served as evening snacks.

There were activities for all ages, hook-a-duck was a firm favourite for the grandchildren, along with sand pits with buckets and spades, and paddling pools where family members and visitors could dip their toes and cool off in the warm weather.

One relative shared, "It was absolutely marvellous how people responded to the music. It had a lovely little festival feeling. Best bubble machine we've ever seen!"

The annual Beach Party is just one of the many events held at Sundial Care Home to support continuation of life, helping family members continue enjoying the traditions, celebrations and shared moments that matter most with the people closest to them.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Seaside Visit Evokes Reminiscence for North Devon Care Home Residents

Family members (residents) Harry and John, from Edenmore Nursing Home in Ilfracombe, recently spent the afternoon enjoying everything Ilfracombe Harbour has to offer, from watching the boats to visiting the funfair and enjoying an ice cream by the sea.

Accompanied by Home Manager Gayle and Home Administrator Emma, the pair made the short journey to the seafront in the home’s car. On arriving, Harry proudly helped push John's wheelchair along the harbourside as they watched the boats and explored the local shops together.

After browsing, they stopped for an ice cream, and each picked which flavour they would like. Harry's daughter later shared that he and his late wife, Eileen, used to visit the ice cream shop almost every day!

John, who has always loved boats and had a special visit to the RNLI last year, enjoyed watching the fishing boats come and go, while Harry's face lit up as they wandered through the funfair. He even took a turn on the teacup ride before stopping to watch the Ferris wheel turn.

As they stood together, Harry gently took Gayle's arm and smiled, saying, 'Let's watch this, Eileen,' as he looked up at the wheel with a smile from ear to ear.

For many people, particularly those living with a Dementia or on a cognitive journey, places such as the seaside, harbour or funfair can evoke feelings of familiarity and comfort. They may represent childhood holidays, family outings or special moments shared with loved ones, helping them reconnect with positive emotions and things that have always been meaningful to them.

On the journey home, John became emotional as he thanked Gayle and Emma for the day. Holding Gayle's hand, he told them how beautiful the day had been and asked if he could have printed copies of the photographs to keep in his room. Before arriving back at the home, he was already planning the next visit, promising that next time he would treat everyone to fish and chips!

Staying connected with the local community continues to be an important part of life at Edenmore Nursing Home. Whether it's enjoying days out around Ilfracombe or welcoming visitors, such as pupils from Ilfracombe Junior School, into the home, there are plenty of opportunities to stay connected. On less sunny days, family members can still enjoy the sea views from many of the home's lounges and bedrooms.

 

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

Creative Mojo Workshops Flourish at Nursing Home near Okehampton

Family members (residents) at Hatherleigh Nursing Home near Okehampton, Devon have been enjoying regular Creative Mojo sessions, where art provides opportunities for self-expression, conversation and shared experiences.

Led by Devon-based creative arts facilitator and artist Sandra Caldeira-Dunkerley, the sessions explore a range of techniques including painting, collage, printing and mark-making. Inspired by nature and the local community where many of the nursing home's family members come from, each workshop encourages everyone to take part in a relaxed and supportive environment.

The sessions have become a popular part of life at the West Devon Nursing Home, bringing people together from different households across the home and even relatives through shared creativity. As Hatherleigh Nursing Home supports a variety of people such as those living with a Dementia or complex needs, each session is thoughtfully adapted to the individual, ensuring everyone feels welcomed, encouraged and able to take part in a way that suits them.

Sandra shared: "Creative Mojo is about so much more than making art. It's about creating a space where people feel comfortable to explore, connect with one another and enjoy the process of being creative. Seeing people grow in confidence, share conversations and take pride in what they've created is always incredibly rewarding."

The home, which offers 24-hour nursing care, residential care, respite care and complex care, continues to support the people who live there through personalised activities, opportunities for social interaction, meaningful experiences and celebrations that create a true home-from-home environment while promoting a continuation of life.

 

If you would like to learn more about Hatherleigh Nursing Home, please visit: https://www.hatherleighnursinghome.com/lifes-journey-continued-2/

True Compassion: Carole’s Career in Care

A member of the care team at Edenmore Nursing Home has shared how a career in social care helped her discover a passion for homemaking, creating a warm, welcoming environment where people feel comfortable, cared for and at home.

Social care offers a wide range of career opportunities, from Carers and Care Practitioners to Domestics, Maintenance Team Members, Nurses, Chefs, Cooks, House Leads, Administrators and Home Managers.

It is a sector where people often discover new interests, develop new skills and grow into different roles over time. For many, it is a career path they never fully understood until they experienced it for themselves.

Carole joined Edenmore Nursing Home almost seven years ago after looking for a role where she could make a positive difference within her local community. What began as a position as a Carer soon evolved into a role that perfectly matched her lifelong love of cooking, hospitality and caring for others.

Originally from France, Carole grew up on a family farm in Normandy before moving to England in her twenties. After working as a personal assistant, raising a family and later retraining as a special needs teaching assistant, she eventually found herself searching for a career where she could build lasting relationships and support older people.

Reflecting on her decision to join Edenmore, Carole said, 'I was looking for a permanent role where I could stay within the local community and make a positive difference to people's lives. I have always enjoyed caring for children, but I also became aware of the many older people in my neighbourhood living alone and often feeling isolated.'

Today, Carole is best known in the home for her homemaker role. From preparing welcoming living spaces and supporting mealtimes to sharing conversations over a cup of tea, painting nails, listening to music and simply sitting alongside someone who enjoys company, her focus is on creating an environment where everyday life continues in a way that feels familiar and meaningful.

She said, 'Every day is different, but my aim is always the same; to make everyone feel comfortable, loved, cared for and at home.'

Over the years, Carole has built close relationships with the family members (residents), including greeting one former French teacher each morning in French.

She shared, 'It has become our secret language. It is lovely to see her smile and laugh every time we do this, and it makes my day.  It is a simple event but reminds me how small connections can make a difference.’

For Carole, these relationships are what make working in care so rewarding. When leaving the home at the end of the day, she has a special routine she follows.

‘At the end of each shift at 7pm, I don’t say goodbye.  The reason for this is because it can upset some of the family members.  Instead, I simply say, “My friends, I am tired now and I need a rest.  I will see you in the morning.  Keep well.”

To read Carole's full story, including her journey from rural France to North Devon, her daily life as Edenmore's homemaker, the special relationships she has built with family members, and the story behind her famous apron collection, visit: 

True Compassion: Carole’s Career in Care

Edenmore Nursing Home provides 24-hour nursing and residential care in Ilfracombe, North Devon.