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
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.
Dog food donation
Here at Ashminster House we have been working with the community to support the last chance dog home over Christmas.
The community have been dropping off tins of dog food at Ashminster house and popping in for a warm drink and a piece of Christmas cake.
Two hampers were delivered in time for our furry friends to enjoy.
Christmas shopping with the residents
Residents wrapped up warm for a shopping trip to the outlet.
Janet tried on many boots and successfully found a lovely brown pair.
We stopped off at the coffee shop for hot chocolate and mince pies.
Oak medow Christmas school choir
Residents were delighted to see and hear the local school choir.
The children sang their hearts out as well as chatting to residents about what they wanted for Christmas.
The dining room was filled with the joy of Christmas.
Afterwards the children enjoyed homemade gingerbread men and a glass of lemonade.
