Activities at Crandon Springs Care Home

We regularly enjoy a relaxing and sociable movie night, and our Memory Lane community really appreciate a good musical.

Recently, movie night featured the much-loved, feel-good film ‘Mamma Mia!’, which created a lively and uplifting atmosphere. We enjoyed a selection of refreshments, including tea, red wine and fizz, alongside some of our favourite treats - chocolate and crisps.  Everyone settled in comfortably, many choosing to wear PJs or lounge wear which added to the experience of a cosy night at home.

Movie nights like these offer a simple yet meaningful way for our residents to unwind, socialise, and enjoy familiar favourites in a warm and supportive environment, reflecting the homely feel we strive to create every day.

Life at Crandon Springs Care Home is all about meaningful and memorable experiences, and sometimes that leads to unusual and unexpected activities and encounters!

Our residents recently enjoyed a fascinating visit from wildlife experts, getting up close with an incredible range of reptiles and bugs. From snakes and tarantulas to giant snails and exotic insects, the session sparked curiosity, conversation and laughter.

For some, it was also a moment of personal achievement, with residents (and staff) bravely overcoming fears and trying something completely new. 

We enjoyed a lovely, cosy, comedy evening in our lounge, with residents relaxing together to watch classic `The Two Ronnies` with a glass of bubbles and some tasty nibbles. 

The Comedy Club is a new activity for us, but it’s something we’ll do again. Sharing familiar TV shows with family and friends sparks memories, conversations and brings comfort. And laughing together can lift mood, reduce anxiety and strengthen social connections, all of which support wellbeing for older adults.

Last year (March 2025), the BBC highlighted the positive effect of old comedy and TV shows in its `Memories and Dementia: Starting the Conversation` season, which explored how the BBC’s rich archive of programmes, including classic comedy, can help stimulate memories and reconnect people with meaningful moments from their past. (Read more about it here: https://canvas-story.bbcrewind.co.uk/memoriesanddementia/)

We’re looking forward to working our way through all the old comedy favourites in coming months!

There was plenty of laughter (and a little flour power!) at our recent Pancake Party.

Our fantastic Activities Team, Emily and Kath, cooked up batches of delicious pancakes for everyone to enjoy. Residents tucked into tasty toppings including chocolate sauce, golden syrup, and the classic lemon and sugar. While most were happy with one or two, Richard was the biggest fan, enjoying four (they were only small).

The fun didn’t stop at eating. Residents also tried their hand at pancake flipping, with a few landing on the floor along the way! The ladies were the most skilled flippers, and Christine impressed everyone with her expert technique proving she’s a true pancake pro.

A great afternoon filled with sweet treats and fun.

We were delighted to be part of the Wells Memory Café’s 7th birthday celebrations by providing a delicious homemade cake for their birthday party in January. Donna from the Crandon Springs kitchen team made a classic vanilla and jam sponge with buttercream icing and chocolate decoration, which was collected by Claire Chettoe, Chair of the Wells Memory Café. 

What a wonderful milestone for a truly valued community service, providing friendship, support, and meaningful connection for people living with memory loss and dementia, and those who care for them. 

We are proud to support people living with memory loss and dementia through long-term and respite residential care, alongside our wider care services and community activities, including our free Friday Fish & Chips lunch club at the end of every month for carers and their loved ones and older people who live alone (booking required 01749 685180). And fresh homemade cakes are always served in our own café!

We enjoyed a fulfilling day of activities designed to support both physical wellbeing and mental stimulation.

The day began with a gentle online exercise and movement class, where residents focused on mobility to ease joints though calm, guided movements set to relaxing music. In our Memory Lane community, a fun games session followed, featuring tin can skittles and bean bag hoop challenges which sparked laughter and social interaction.

Meanwhile, in the café, residents took part in word games and puzzles, creating a warm, engaging atmosphere with plenty of teamwork and conversation. Jigsaw puzzles on Memory Lane offered a quieter, mindful activity to round off the day.

Together these activities highlight our commitment to supporting active bodies, engaged minds, and meaningful connections every day.

Our Memory Lane residents are discovering new ways to create, connect and have fun thanks to our new life-size digital interactive touch screen.

This exciting addition to our activities programme is especially beneficial for those living in our dedicated Memory Lane community. Designed to support people living with dementia, the screen offers a wide range of stimulating experiences to suit different interests and abilities. From art and painting, to music, puzzles, reminiscence and sensory activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, either in a group or personalised one-to-one session.

By combining digital innovation with traditional activities, we’re enhancing wellbeing, encouraging meaningful interaction and showing that technology can be inclusive, accessible and enjoyable at any stage of life.

We enjoyed a fantastic, fun afternoon when Kelly’s Donkeys and Animal Shelter visited our home with a marvellous menagerie, including a donkey, a Shetland pony, a goat, guinea pigs and rabbits.

The animals brought gentle fun and cuddles, and sparked plenty of laughter, conversation, and happy memories, especially for residents with farming backgrounds or who recalled cherished pets. A particularly curious goat took a shine to Neville, much to everyone’s amusement, with Neville commenting, “It made my day.”

Animal visits like this are a great way to support wellbeing, encourage connection, and create lovely moments together. 

We enjoyed a fun-filled Easter, with activities ranging from a hot cross bun tasting to a visit from local nursery children.

Our `Buns & Bunnies` themed tasting saw residents sample hot cross bun flavours of strawberries & clotted cream, extra fruity, salted caramel & chocolate, cheese, and apple & cinnamon, with salted caramel and extra fruity crowned joint favourites.

A highlight of the Easter week was a visit from Rockers and Rollers Day Nursery for a garden egg hunt followed by a cheerful singalong. Resident Rose, fondly known as `Little Gran` to her great grandson who attends the nursery, helped hand out the treats.

These shared activities bring real joy and meaningful connection for everyone involved.

We had a lovely Mother's Day afternoon tea at Crandon Springs Care Home. Daughters, family, friends and even dogs, joined their loved ones to celebrate, and it was wonderful to see everyone enjoying a special time together.

Our guests enjoyed a delicious spread of prawn, cucumber, cheese and ham sandwiches, followed by sweet treats including scones with jam and cream, Biscoff swirls, pinwheels and brownies, all freshly prepared by our fabulous kitchen crew.

Resident Barbara summed up the afternoon perfectly, saying it was "wonderful food and good company" and we couldnt agree more.

From March 2026, we will be hosting a new monthly Business Women in Networking group at Crandon Springs, supporting local business women to come together for meaningful conversation, fresh ideas, and connection. 

The group will begin meeting during the week of International Women’s Day, reflecting our commitment to championing women’s voices and celebrating their achievements, including our residents, those working in social care and across the wider community.

The sessions, held on the second Friday of the month, provide a welcoming space for women at every stage of their business journey to connect and collaborate. It is led by local business woman, Victoria Marshall, a strategic Marketing Consultant with booking essential via email: book@businesswomenin.org

We recently celebrated a very special milestone as resident Greta Sherring turned 100 in February.

Greta marked her centenary with a party and Crandon Springs, surrounded by family, friends and staff. The celebration included a buffet lunch and birthday cake prepared by our chef team, along with flowers and gifts. She also received two very special cards, one from King Charles and Queen Camilla, and another lovingly made cross-stitch card from the Crandon Springs team.

Greta is a much-loved member of our community. She enjoys activities, family visits, and outings on our minibus, including taking part in the Wells City Carnival this year.

Reflecting on her milestone with her usual humour and good spirit, Greta said: “I’m not sure where the time went. Now I’m 100 and friends with the King!”

Happy Birthday Greta!

Our residents recently enjoyed a rock ‘n’ roll treat as we celebrated Elvis Presley’s birthday with a lively tribute concert.

We welcomed local Elvis tribute artist Harry James, whose high-energy performance captured the sound, style and charisma of Elvis’s early years. Singing much-loved classics such as All Shook Up, Blue Suede Shoes, and Don’t Be Cruel, Harry had residents singing along, dancing, and reminiscing.

What made the evening extra special, alongside the quality singing and performance, was the connection Harry built with everyone, taking time to chat, dance and hold hands with residents throughout the show. Many described the concert as “amazing” and “incredible”, saying it brought back happy memories of their youth.