Activities at Ashminster House Care Home
Activities at Ashminster are based on residents' life histories. We host music workshops and encourage participation in a number of other activities, including gentle exercise, bingo and gardening. Monthly live singers entertain everyone with music from the 50s, 60s and 70s and residents are encouraged to interact with the musical instruments. Sensory sessions with fibre optic lights and touch & feel blankets are provided, which can be calming to those living with dementia. Residents participate in cooking sessions and enjoy the aromas of bread, scones and cakes - and, of course, sampling the finished product over a cuppa! We promote family values at Ashminster, and those we support can enjoy reminiscing about family events in the past, including weddings and previous occupations.
Elaine Hilden
I have worked at Ashminster House since 2003, first as a carer then progressing to activities coordinator, which has know as 'Head of Lifestyle'. I have a wealth of experience in my role, as well as NVQs in Health and Social Care, Activities in the Care Setting and Dementia.
I am passionate about fulfilling residents' lives by getting to know each individual with a person-centred approach, learning about their experiences and helping them to express themselves, such as through reminiscing with items of old.
My interests outside of work include antiques, dogs and spending time with my family.
Read our brochure 'Life-enriching activities' for more information about life in our care homes.
Read our brochure
Activities and Events Partnerships
As part of our bespoke life-enrichment programmes, we host a number of live virtual events in the home on a regular basis through a number of partnerships with places of interest and world class performance companies
Life at Ashminster House Care Home
Time with tiggy
Ashminsters in-house cat Tiggy brings out love, joy and happiness for our residents.
On a daily basis residents feed, brush and play with him.
Bill often comes down from our memory lane unit to visit our feline friend.
This activity has a calming and relaxing effect as this reminds bill of his own pets
Bird watching
This time of year Ashminster houses garden is full of wildlife.
The binoculars come out and residents love to observe and record the birds that visit.
One of our residents is always looking out for red squirrels as he was born in Scotland.
Our recordings this month are robins, starlings, thrush, and great tits
Gin tasting session
Residents and the community experienced an afternoon of gin tasting.
Residents expressed the taste as tingling, sweetness, fruity with a hint of spiciness.
The aroma of the gin brought back fond memories for one resident who shared memories of how to make sloe gin.
We sampled the traditional gin and tonic, orange, lime, strawberry and ginger.
St Patrick’s Day
Ashminster House had a bit of an Irish flare in the home to celebrate St Patrick's Day! With a cooling glass of Guinness in their hands and partaking in fabulous fun and music from the musical duo, Java Jive, the residents enjoyed a fantastic afternoon of merriment and laughs galore!
Nutrition and Hydration Week
For Nutrition and Hydration week the residents at Ashminster House enjoyed a wonderful afternoon feast prepared by our amazing catering team. The residents indulged in delicious cakes, sandwiches, fruit smoothies and other nutritious delights. There was lots of laughter and merriment in the air as they chatted about what foods they love.
Bread Roll Making
Residents at Ashminster House enjoyed getting their hands messy with making their own fresh bread rolls to have with their supper. Along with making these delicious homemade delights, residents also enjoyed a refreshing fruit kebab and helped create a little fruit tree that was soon shared out between them all.
