Activities at Mortain Place Care Home

We are all busy people, and we often take for granted simple activities that can mean very little for some people, but can mean a great deal to others. One of those undertakings which may seem mundane and not very inspiring, can be something which is so fulfilling and a great source of entertainment and life enrichment for others. Shopping trip anyone?

We filled our minibus with as many residents as we could muster and off we went to Paradise Park in Newhaven. The residents were delighted with a stop off at the coffee shop, they then emersed themselves in the sensory gardens and found time to capture special moments with the miniature railway.

The main focus of attention was of course the well-stocked gift shop, offered an eclectic mix of trinkets   catering for all tastes. Lots of opportunities for residents to acquire some special souvenirs for their loved ones, friends and families. A great day out was had by all and will be sure to be repeated.

Mortain Place care home, Eastbourne, celebrated VE Day with a truly special day of fun! The day began with visits from Poppie and Bernie, their tail wagging therapy dog special guests. Residents enjoyed sweet reminiscing with scrumdiddlyumptious Hailsham and a beautiful afternoon tea featuring their chefs’ delicious homemade scones. Residents spent the afternoon sharing memories of what games they used to play, their favourite foods and music which brought comfort and joy during the war years. It was a wonderful day filled with laughter, nostalgia, love and community spirit. It was a truly special day to honour the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of those who lived thru the war, whilst creating new vibrant memories at Mortain Place care home, Eastbourne. 

Rocky's sweetshop, Kingsmere Tuckshop delivered the goods this Easter, or more specifically lots of Easter eggs to our residents. Plenty of penny sweets, Easter eggs and fun interactions were served up with a dash of good humour, sharing uplifting moments with all residents. Fun times at Mortain Place this Easter...

We were delighted to host the launch of a new book by one of our short stay respite residents. A writing journey which took over a several decades of discovery and devotion, culminated in the publication of a powerful new book. For the Love of Sarah tells the true story of Sarah Ellis, a late 18th-century woman whose life was uncovered through handwritten journals found by Roy Palmer in 1989 while working in property probate in London.

With the support of his wife Evelyn, Roy spent decades researching, transcribing and tracing Sarah’s journeys around Britain, turning her story into a book with the help of a ghost writer and encouragement from academic circles, including interest from Oxford University. Rob Hobbs said: "It has been an absolute pleasure to have Roy with us at Mortain Place, Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne on a respite stay with us recently.”

"His life story is fascinating and hearing how For the Love of Sarah came to be is truly inspiring for both residents and staff. Roy made quite a following here and everyone wanted to hear more about Sarah and his incredible journey bringing her story back to life. We are so proud to see his book published and to have been part of this special chapter of his life."

Roy recently spent time on respite at Mortain Place Care Home, where he became a well-liked member of the community and shared his story with fellow residents and staff. He described Sarah Ellis as having become "almost like family," and said his motivation was to "do justice" to her life by bringing her voice back to life.

For the Love of Sarah is a testament to perseverance, partnership and the enduring power of love across centuries.

We have forged a magnificent reputation for working closely with the local community in recent years. The interest from the community with participation in our workshops, such as our grief workshop, organised recently, has proved diversity is the key to inspiring and supporting visitors from the local area.

The workshop, eloquently provided by Nadine Searle, offers a useful insight into coping strategies which help a wide range of people and residents alike. The response from the local community has been overwhelming, with countless individuals attending and participating in the workshop event, highlighting the need for more groups to cover this topic by way of support.

In the first part of the session, the audience detailed why they had attended and what they wanted from the workshop experience. The second part of the session was filled with Nadine addressing the issues people wanted guidance with, providing coping strategies and demonstrating soothing practices from her trusted Calmer Self Method. This process helped enormously, when individuals’ emotions get involved during the time of grief.

Following the success of this workshop, proposals are progressing with future workshops, facilitated  by Nadine Searle,  planned throughout 2026, covering a wide range of subject matter, reflecting the needs of local people and residents of Mortain Place alike. Currently visitors from the local community can visit Nadine, at Mortain Place, Eastbourne, every third Tuesday from 6pm until 8pm where she will be holding a grief café open to all.

We are always looking at new ways to enrich the lives of our residents. Bex, our Activities lead, has an enviable reputation for her diversity and unique enthusiasm of her approach. She has introduced the whole home, to the sensation and positive life experience associated with the little known Namaste approach to relaxation.

This method is known as Namaste Care and aims to provide meaningful interactions that enhance the quality of life for individuals who are in long term residential or equally Memory Lane residents with advanced Dementia. These actions can result in a reduction of behavioural symptoms by promoting emotional well-being and ultimately life enrichment by sensory enhancement.

The thought process to relax, involves sound, taste, smells and touch. The scene to relax is set by exposing residents to relaxing Namaste music in a comfortable lounge, with sensory lighting combined with bubble sensory light and Namaste light, in a darkened room. To enhance the mood, Mocktails are served including lemon, strawberry, lime and cucumber flavours.

The sensation of smell is enhanced and senses stimulated by offering each resident sample Cajun, Nutmeg, Ginger, Chinese five Spice, Garlic and Paprika. Herbs including Rosemary and Lavender enhance the experience too. They can also help promote positive memories which boost emotional tranquillity. Hand massages using scented hand cream, stimulate touch, as does residents being presented with a sensory box, filled with fidget toys and other items providing different textures in the Namaste relaxing environment.

Residents who Immersed themselves in this session, confirmed positive affirmations, including the feeling they are loved, important, calm and can cope well with their challenges. Reassurance was also given to all participants verbally and physically by hand touching and holding. Breathwork techniques also plays an integral role in healing and calmness as it can deepen relaxation and awareness.

The Namaste approach to relaxation has proven to be such a hit with residents, with such a positive response, we intend to incorporate this calming session within our activities schedule every week. 

Staff and residents at Mortain Place care home in Eastbourne are celebrating because their fabulous Managing Director, Michelle Macadangdang, from Barchester’s South East Division, is stepping out of her comfort zone to compete for culinary supremacy in the Barchester Charitable Foundation Cook Off 2026.

Swapping their business suits for chefs’ whites, Michelle and her fellow Managing Directors from Barchester’s five divisions are going head to head with members of Barchester’s Executive team to cook up a storm and raise vital funds for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation.

The Charitable Foundation helps connect vulnerable people and those living with a disability to community groups in their local area by providing grants to improve mobility and quality of life.  Each year the Foundation distributes thousands of pounds to individuals, small community groups and charities across England, Scotland and Wales.  In 2025 the Foundation achieved a donation milestone of £424,000 which enabled the charity to provide vital help to a staggering 262 small groups and charities, plus 123 individuals in one year alone.

Michelle and the other MDs are keeping their cards very close to their chests regarding what they will be cooking but they have been practising hard.  Michelle comments: “I have to admit I am a little bit nervous about it all but I’m also excited to take part in something so different from my day job.  People that know me, know my cooking skills are somewhat limited but I am extremely competitive and I want to win so I will do my very best, and it is for a very good cause.”

General Manager of Mortain Place care home, Katie Brewster adds: “We are all so proud of Michelle for taking part in this challenge, we know she will give it her absolute best shot!  The Foundation is so close to all of our hearts and the Cook Off will raise vital funds to help so many people, we’re 100% behind her – MDs for the win!   

So nice to get out and about this morning! A perfect treat for Helen, who celebrates her 94th Birthday today. We took her to visit Polegate Equestrian Centre, and thanks to Anna there, Helen was able to brush and groom the horses and feed them their breakfast of carrots and apples. Good times had by all... Thank you Polegate Equestrian Centre, Polegate. 

It is so important to listen, isn’t it? That’s exactly what happens at Mortain Place care home, in Eastbourne. Every month we collaborate with residents and their family and friends to organise meetings and create agendas encouraging everyone to have a share of voice in an open forum format, welcoming fresh suggestions.

The get togethers are positive affairs, generating lots of ideas and feedback which helps us offer tailored activities, requested by residents and initiatives to improve the variety of stimulation provided. This important get together also enables fresh ideas to be voiced and anything within the home which could be improved, is considered seriously and at the highest level within the home to enhance their residents’ lives.

Alex and Bex chaired the well-attended meeting, compiling comprehensive detailed notes forming a worthwhile action plan to enhance the lives of their residents. Alex commented “you would be surprised how many care homes do not have regular resident meetings. The benefits to all are very clear to see. At Mortain Place, Eastbourne, we never lose sight of the importance of enriching the residents lives and their input is vital to achieve this positive momentum within our home and strengthening the high level of service provided”.

Communication is vital to maintain high standards and to deliver a level of service which meets and often exceeds the expectations of all residents staying with them. This drive for high quality is also extended to the homes Memory Lane floor, which specialises in Dementia care and has an enviable reputation for delivering outstanding care within the community.

We are pleased to announce a collaboration with Richard Penrose, a financial advisor from Watch Oak Private Wealth.  Richard specialises in later-life planning, helping people and their families make informed, confident decisions around care funding, long-term financial security, and protecting independence for as long as possible.

His role is to simplify complex choices around care costs, pensions, assets, and entitlements, so families can focus on what really matters: quality of life and peace of mind. On a personal level, family is central to Richard and that strongly influences how he approach’s his work. He understands how emotional and challenging conversations around ageing and care can be, having supported clients through some of the most important decisions of their lives. Outside of work, he enjoys staying active, spending time with his family, and keeping a balanced perspective beyond finance.

He believes good later-life advice should be compassionate, clear, and practical. His aim is always to support residents and families with calm, straightforward guidance at a time when reassurance and trust matter most. Richard can be called upon at Mortain Place care home, Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne on the last Monday of every month, between 11am and 3pm.

Its always nice to surprise a resident with a special Birthday cake on their special day. Today Bongi one of our Carers presented Maura’s with her lovely Birthday cake, which made her occasion all the more special and brightened her day. Congratulations Maura, we hope you have many more celebrations to come … 

The sun always shines on the righteous, in fact, even when its cloudy outside the sunshine leads the way for the staff and residents at Mortain Place Care home in Eastbourne. This week, we escorted some of their Gentlemen residents to enjoy a Jolly Boys Outing! What could be better than a strong coffee served alfresco and a slice of cake, admiring the outlook across the amazing Sovereign Harbour and out to sea.

Not content with a few drinks and snacks whilst out and about, the team at Mortain Place, also managed to snag a great white shark. Good job it was only a baby 6-footer, as they would have needed a bigger boat! The thoughtful staff of Di lieto’s restaurant, provided the shark with a saucer of milk.  An impressive achievement by anyone’s standards, given it was just an inflatable version, caught locally.

You cannot beat a little sunshine brought into everyone’s lives, or even a little jolly madness. Great fun is what Mortain Place make of the experiences with their residents. The interaction with the general public and other local businesses were priceless. As the courageous explorers made their way around the delightful Sovereign Harbour, with a shark in tow, all happy people with beaming smiles and not a care in world.  Perfect! Positive fun interaction events such as these, enriches the lives of all our residents, especially those facing the challenges of dementia from their Memory Lane area. If you would like your relative or loved one to sample more of the same jolly positivity and stimulation you may contact Mortain Place on 01323 465150 . We will be happy to guide you on what we offer and how we can enhance your loved ones lives, with a stay with us.

Our residents shared blissful interactions with their team and fellow residents, as roses and fun moments were exchanged, bringing joy to all participants. The weekend fun was delivered by Bex, one of our vibrant key activities team. The delight on all the residents’ faces were clear to see and making the long lasting happy, fun memories, a priceless gesture.

Bex commented “It was so wonderful bringing bright, engaging moments into the lives of our wonderful residents. They all had such fun and loved the thoughtfulness of the gesture, shared by all.”  This simple act of gifting each resident a red rose, shared more than just a moment, but highlights the care and attention to detail which enriches Mortain Place’s residents and sets them apart from other homes in their area.

Visitors to the home over last weekend, who were looking for placements for their loved ones, also left the care home with a single red rose, to be passed on to their loved ones at home, who may be looking for a respite stay or a longer-term residential stay. Other enquirers who also left with a red rose, were considering a more complex  care needs programme for a loved one requiring assistance with the challenges of dementia, in our dedicated unit, named memory lane, hosted on the first floor.

Mortain Place care home, sovereign harbour, Eastbourne, has invested heavily in supporting and enriching the lives of its Dementia residents in their memory lane area. The recent addition of a Lifesize Touch TV, has brought joy to many residents, adding sensory fun and stimulation into their daytime actions.

The Magic table, effectively a large touch pad tablet type device, exposes the residents to gaming and activities in an innovative way which stimulates their daily pursuits. The sensory element really gets the residents thinking, promoting the thought processes and engaging with them in a fun, challenging way, invigorating them with speed challenging stimulation and gameplay they all know and love.

This level of application, required by the resident improves dexterity and improves cognitive responses promoting a pastime which is enjoyable and competitive on many different levels. Fun games which can be played, are old favourites such as noughts and crosses, traditional crosswords, Hangman, Pool Player over a green baize and interactive apps such as Street view, putting the residents in the heart of the action, or allowing them to reminisce by visiting streets where they used to live or visit as a youngster.

The most popular game is of course the traditional Pinball machines mode, enabling the home to flourish with its own band of enthusiastic Pinball Wizards! The unit is robust, completely mobile and allows residents to interact with it, even when they are unwell or in bed. The safety glass is reassuring given the touchscreen element and the unit is height adjustable. If residents prefer less interaction, then watching a group of highly social dolphins meandering around a large fish tank can provide its own stimulation and engagement. Mortain Place care home, believe the beauty of this resource is that residents have a choice and the flexibility of the use sparks the minds of residents bringing joy to all, allowing them to explore their imagination in a unique and fulfilling way.