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
Barbeque fun in the Sun
During one of our Resident meetings several of the meetings expressed missing the smell of a Barbeque on a warm sunny day outside.
With this in mind the whole home got together and arranged a fantastic barbeque for all the residents to enjoy that included a delectable selection of mouth-watering food such as burgers, hot dogs, salads and potato wedges, all cooked and prepared by our magnificent catering team.
While some could not wait to tuck in as soon as they got the first waft of smoke from out barbeque, many were instead enjoying the wide variety of music being played by our invited pianist Amelia.
British Flower Week
Ashminster House Residents got outside in the lovely warm sunshine to celebrate the British Flower Week by preparing an exquisite selection of flowers to place around the home in preparation for the coming summer.
Our resident Janet expressed how she used to grow and look after roses when she was at home and helped us arrange a colourful selection of the flowers while reminiscing about how she used to prune them carefully from the plants and had to wear gloves thanks to those pesky prickly thorns that always comes with a rose!
Sensory smell quiz
Residents experienced a sensory smell quiz in Ashminster's exciting herb garden where they guessed each delightful herb.
A little tipple!
After a busy morning of chatting and dancing to their favourite music and with dinner around the corner, the residents enjoyed a little glass of sherry.
Fitness for Fun
Ashminster House got into some fitness business with an excercise routine including working on the arm muscles, leg muscles neck and back to help them feel good and have a enjoyable time led by Richard our Activities Coordinator.
Once they finished their exercise, the residents had a refreshing selection of cold drinks and relaxed to classic tunes.
Stop & Chat
Residents on our Memory Lane unit were joined by staff from different departments within the home. Our residents and staff engaged in meaningful and joyous conversations and to learn about their history and their lives before coming to our exceptional home.
Our resident Patricia expressed "I love having these chats with the staff."
