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. 

Enriching life
Watch our video on life enrichment in our homes.

Elaine Hilden

Head of Lifestyle

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.

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

Trip out to the garden centre!

Residents enjoyed a trip out to the local garden centre.

For one of our residents, it was a trip down memory lane as her passion in life is topical fish.

Our lovely resident named the fish in every tank. Her knowledge even surprised the workers in the garden centre.

Cocktails and Canapes Afternoon

Our amazing chef put his cooking skills to the test in making homemade canapés. 

Salmon and cress with a tomato dressing was the favourite topping recommended by our residents. 

Homemade cocktails were served, which went down very well with the canapés. 

Community Supporting Knitting Club

Valerie and Beryl from the community support our knitting club every Saturday morning. 

Together they motivate, encourage, and bring joy and laughter to the group.

Many of our residents have learnt new stiches and developed new skills.  

Valentine's Day Celebrations!

Ashminster House was filled with flowers, cards and balloons as we celebrated the day of love with sweet treats and thoughtful gifts to the sound of classic songs. 

Our lovely speak up champions, Sorwaney and Reena arranged a variety of heart-warming gifts to appreciate our staff on the day of love for all their hard work over the past month!

National Pizza Day

We celebrated National Pizza Day in style. What a delight to see everyone rolling up their sleeves and crafting their own pizzas with their topping of choice.

Everyone got to try a variety of pizzas, from juicy Hawaiian to loaded meaty mixes, finished with a selection of sweet and savoury treats. 

International Chocolate Cake Day

Watch out for one of the best days of the year… International Chocolate Cake Day! 

From chocolate cupcakes and fudge to sticky chocolate and ginger syrup sponge as well as tasty biscuits in-between, we had a fantastic day filling our tummies with all things chocolatey, all prepared by our talented kitchen team!