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
Pizza Making
The residents showed off their culinary skills to create delicious homemade pizzas for their afternoon tea here at Ashminster House. They enjoyed choosing a selection of ingredients that out catering staff prepared for them, such as mushrooms, onions, bell peppers and meat. The thrilled residents were delighted to taste their creations and share them with their friends.
Valentine’s dinner for two
This Valentine's day, two of our residents expressed their love for each other with a special private meal together here at Ashminster House. They've been a couple for over several decades and have always been close.
Colin said: "Today is a special day for me and my wife. I just want her to know I love her now the same as I did when I first met her."
Chinese Writing
In celebration of Chinese New Year, the year of the Dragon, residents at Ashminster House got into the spirit of the special occasion with fun Chinese writing and colouring. The intrigued Residents learnt what each letter and symbol meant while colouring in and enjoyed a selection of Chinese treats such as spring rolls and dumplings.
Knit and Natter
Our residents enjoy a pleasant morning knitting up squares to create blankets as well as their own items such as a snug pair of little socks for children in our Knit and Natter Club.
Along with enjoying time together, they discussed the days of when they had to knit up socks or a scarf, the enthusiastic residents put their hands to good use.
Fruit Kebabs
Residents at Ashminster house tucked into some tasty fruit kebabs. Provided with a tasty selection of freshly sliced pears, fresh raspberries, chunky pineapple and delicious grapes, the residents created their own special sequence out of the selection on the skewers provided and enjoyed these healthy sweet treats with their afternoon tea.
1945 Newspaper Reading
Residents at Ashminster House enjoyed a moment to reflect and look back at VE day with replica newspapers of that historic moment.
Reading through the fascinating stories of the time as well as looking at the old adverts of the era, they were taken back to a time where celebrations were in abundance, with a description of how the war was won.
