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
Visit from Age UK and Halloween Bingo
Residents enjoyed a visit from members from the Age UK team and had fun with a general knowledge quiz about chocolate from it’s origins, where it was used for currency and which country eats the most of it, before getting their down for a full house with a spooky Halloween bingo game, winning sweets and treats!
Trip to the Garden Centre
We took a trip out on our minibus to explore the garden centre Dobbies in Ashford with a group of our excited residents. They had a look at the wide selection of plants they had on display and the variety of Christmas decorations before taking a break in the café and enjoying a cup of tea with a tasty pastry treat on the side!
Apple Taste Testing
Residents at Ashminster House enjoyed a variety of delicious tasting apples harvested and provided by Perry Court Farm, which is known for it’s selection of over 200 different types of pears and apples that they grow on the farm. Margaret in particular enjoyed sampling the apples, saying; “It was such a treat to taste the different type of apples that the farm grows!”
Words of Advice for Local Schools
Our lovely residents here at Ashminster House decided to write up some excellent advice for the young minds that are going back to school.
Janet said: "Being kind is one of the best important things you can be while you're at school, because you never know who you might meet when you leave it later on!"
Looking at bugs up close
Our residents looked into the closer detail to the finer parts of nature with our microscope and selection of Petri dishes of tiny bugs.
Roger was especially interested, saying 'It's so surprising how beautiful and delightful the smallest things are when you take a closer look like all the creatures!"
Cooking Fun
Here at Ashminster House, with the assistance of the staff, our residents got together to make a selection of tasty cheese twists for their supper.
Pat commented “I always like making things for other people, it’s such a delight to see the smile you get when they tuck in to something homemade and fresh!”
