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
Reminiscence Therapy
The session theme was 'autumn' and residents were encouraged to share their memories of autumn time. Poems were read out about autumn and visual prompts and photographs were used throughout. It was a great session!
Macmillan Coffee Morning
Ashminster House held a Macmillan Coffee Morning on Friday 29th September. Residents and staff enjoyed having a chat with fresh coffee and tea served with homemade cakes such as; Victoria Sponge, Pistachio Cake, Carrot Cake, Cupcakes and much more. £130.00 was raised in support of Macmillan Cancer!
We are now 10-60-06 accredited!
Ashminster House has achieved accreditation for a new standard of dementia developed by dementia care specialists at Barchester.
The 10-60-06 dementia programme will replace Barchester's current dementia care programme to ensure that the care services provided by our Memory Lane communities for people living with dementia are the best in the sector.
Reminiscence Ladies
The 'Reminiscence Ladies' brought in milk bottles that were given to students at school, old gypsy pegs, old teddy bears, dollies, washing powder and tea cosies. This was to help stimulate residents' old memories - residents who would have grown up surrounded by these items. The day was spent reminiscing together and sharing memories of days gone by with each other.
Ashminster's Divisional Winner
Congratulations to Neil Swithenbank, who has been named as a Divisional Winner in the Maintenance Champion category at this year's Barchester Care Awards.
Care Home Open Day at Ashminster
We kicked off our Care Home Open Day with Caroline playing the accordion, which residents thoroughly enjoyed.
