Activities at Tyspane Care Home

Tyspane Care Home is lucky enough to have a team of highly qualified physiotherapists to call on a daily basis. Babs Spear (Head of Physiotherapy), Rob Hopkins (Physiotherapist), and George Williams (Assistant Physiotherapist) support residents, families, friends, community, and staff on a daily basis. Their main objective is to maintain residents’ independence, improve their physical health to support daily activities like gardening, walking upright, and living a full and meaningful life.

To help achieve this objective, they have created a falls clinic. The falls clinic's main focus is to prevent falls by residents at Tyspane Care Home. The falls clinic includes personalised programmes that are informed by research evidence of the reduction of falls. The programmes act as a preventative measure to reduce the likelihood and potential of a fall and, importantly, help make everyday activities easier, so residents can keep on doing the things they enjoy. Babs ensures her classes focus on improving a resident’s strength, balance, flexibility, endurance and ability to cope following a fall.   

A massive thank you to the Vicar of Braunton, Reverend David Baker, St Brannocks Church, Braunton for delivering Holy Communion at Tyspane Care Home. For some residents, families, friends and staff, Holy Communion plays a significant role in their wellbeing, especially those living with dementia. Reverend David Baker provides a source of hope, comfort, reassurance, mixed with merriment, and laughter.

Today, it is no exception, as Revered David Baker invited residents, families, friends, and staff to become wannabe gulls as part of the August bank holiday Duck Race which is being held at St Brannocks church this Monday (31st) in a bid to expand the event into a true country fair.

Residents, families, friends, community, and staff put on a suburban seagull screeching sing along to the classic hit, Singing In The Rain. Tyspane Care Home choir supports its members in learning new songs and performing them for others keeps everyone’s minds active and engaged, helping to improve memory and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

Thank you to everyone who made this day so special, fun and a truly memorable experience.     

Residents, families, friends, and staff at Tyspane Care Home understand the importance of community engagement and the numerous benefits it brings. Social interactions can significantly enhance emotional health, stimulate the brain, and improve overall wellbeing.

At Tyspane Care Home, one of the most important community engagements is the monthly visit from Reverend David Baker, St Brannocks Church, Braunton. David is a regular visitor at Tyspane Care Home, delivering Holy Communion, offering companionship and friendship, and a empathetic listening ear. David is well-loved and respected by residents, so when he asked for support in participating in “Braunton’s First Seagull Screeching Competition,” residents did not hesitate.

It is said that seagulls are well known for their loud, shrill screams, often sounding like a loud squeaky door hinge, it’s a shrill, piercing noise that carries over long distances. With this in mind, residents have been practising on a daily basis to master the shrill, whilst laughing together at each other’s attempts.  

David, you will be suitably impressed!

Congratulations Bridget Mapepa (Tyspane Care Home, Deputy Manager and Clinical Lead) on passing your Master of Public Health (MPH). A Master of Public Health is designed to equip professionals with skills to improve population health, covering areas like epidemiology, health, policy and promotion.

Bridget started her professional carer at Tyspane Care Home in 2017 as a pre-registered nurse, and through hard work and determination is now the Clinical Lead and Deputy Manager.

Bridget is lady that is always smiling, she is cheerful, optimistic, affable, and radiant. She reflects positivity across the whole of Tyspane Care Home, an absolute pleasure to spend time with.

Well Done Bridget.   

At Tyspane Care Home we understand the numerous benefits associated with activities for residents. As residents get older, and as they age, their age increases their cognitive ability and mobility lessons, so it is important to encourage and support residents to engage in a range of activities. It is important that residents are mentally and physically active, as an unstimulating and rigid daily routine can contribute to the poor well-being of individuals, which can be reflected in their mental and physical health.

The activities team at Tyspane Care Home (aka pink ladies) encourage residents to participate in activities every day so they can maintain and develop their personal identity. It is important that everyone is offered opportunities to continue doing the things they love, or even learning or trying something new. This is done by taking the time to learn what every individual enjoys, which in turn creates a supportive environment. And when we say everyone, we mean everyone, just because someone is cared for in their room does not mean they cannot participate in activities.

Today, being a good example, residents who are being cared for in their rooms were visited by the wonderful Tamsin Ball (Classical Performer) who sang personally chosen songs to them. It was truly amazing.

Thank you, Tamsin.

According to Rob Davis (Head Chef) at Tyspane Care Home, the combination of lobster and steak is often associated with military culture and symbolism. It is believed that when steak and lobster appeared in the dining facility, something significant may be coming. This belief has become embedded in military folklore, shared in barracks conversations, deployment stories, and veteran communities. These folktales are still talked about by Tyspane Care Home residents, families and friends as Braunton, especially Braunton Burrows has been used as a Military Training area as far back as the 19th century and is still used today.

Therefore, Rob decided to create a special menu to honour the humble beginnings of Steak and Lobster. Rob created a bespoke menu that combined two premium ingredients, steak and lobster. He carefully crafted the rich, savoury flavour of steak beautifully with the sweet, buttery taste of lobster, which created a dining experience that felt both luxurious and satisfying. For Rob, cooking is an art form which allows him to be inspirational and creative.

From all the residents, families, friends, community and staff at Tyspane Care, thank you, Rob, for a truly wonderful five-star dining experience today.

The community is full of unpaid volunteers, unsung heroes, who can only be best described as priceless. These individuals often contribute to the success or well-being of others quietly, behind the scenes, and their efforts often go unnoticed. However, not today though, these wonderful heroes welcomed with open arms residents, families, friends, professional physiotherapists, and staff from Tyspane Care Home for an afternoon of fun, laughter, support and community togetherness.

The first guest speaker this afternoon was Judy Flanaghan from Live Well In Braunton. Live Well In Braunton works closely with the local GP surgery at Caen Medical centre, providing one-to-one support for individuals via their social prescriber. They also engage with voluntary and statutory organisations and groups across the area, supporting existing projects, helping identify gaps in what is available and bringing people together to fill them. Some of their projects are the development of a “Men’s Shed,” and support for Braunton and Communities, and their wellbeing walks and Community Gardens. Judy Flanagan brings with her over 35 years of experience in social care. Her extensive background includes roles as a registered manager, developing services, and delivering staff training. She has a particular passion for dementia support, working from early diagnosis through to providing ongoing support for individuals as well as their families and carers.

Following on from Judy, was the incredible Babs Spear, Head Physiotherapist, at Tyspane Care Home and her team; Rita (Care Practitioner) and George (Assistant Physiotherapist). Babs put on a show not to be missed as she demonstrated armchair exercises, deep breathing exercises and stretches, and several songs that evoked wonderful memories from everyone’s past.  Babs is a highly experienced and qualified teacher who is extremely passionate and enthusiastic about her role as a physiotherapist. She is deeply committed to her work, and demonstrates immense dedication, remarkable fervour and genuine zeal. She instantly inspires everyone in the room to join in, her passion is contagious, no one leaves without feeling invigorated and motivated.  

Sitting in the Vivian Moon Centre this afternoon, listening to these ladies, and volunteers from Braunton Caen Rotary Club, Memory Café reminded everyone why community matters. These everyday moments remind us that we’re all connected and that our actions have the power to make life better for those around us.

Thank you, Jennie Tomlinson, for inviting Tyspane Care Home to your wonderful community café. Simply amazing. 

An exciting day trip should be something everyone can look forward to. The UK is full of amazing, accessible places to visit, including picturesque countryside, vibrant towns and cities, and some of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. Luckily for the residents at Tyspane Care Home, we are close to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and visiting the seaside offers numerous benefits for the elderly, including improved health, relaxation, and social interactions.

As part of a life enrichment, the activities and physiotherapy team worked together to support Kelvin to fulfil his wish to visit the seaside. The morning was full of smiles, laughter, reminiscence, and politics. It was a really wonderful experience.

Thank you, to everyone who made this day so special.    

Today, residents, Paula, Arthur and Margaret took a trip to Ilfracombe to look out to sea, and gaze in awe at the bronze figure that guards the coast. The figure has courted controversy, they say you either love or hate her. The lady in question being Verity. Verity is the work of sculpture Damien Hirst, and he describes her as a modern representation of “truth and justice.”  For Paula, she describes this piece of modern art as simply incredible, Paula has a passion for art, and has always wanted to visit Ilfracombe to see Verity, and for her the sculpture was everything and more.

Ilfracombe was packed with fishermen, and families all enjoying the sunshine, it was a wonderful morning for our residents.

Thank you to everyone who made this trip possible. 
 

Summer in Britain means one thing: it's time to dust off the barbecue! When the rare sunshine appears, Brits flock to gardens and parks, armed with tongs and high hopes. Nothing beats the smell of sizzling food and the joy of eating outdoors with friends and family.

Today, being no exception, Rob Davis (Head Chef) at Tyspane Care Home got up bright and early, yes, 4.00am, to start preparing for Tyspane Care Home BBQ. The gardens were decorated, the cocktail bar was dressed and residents, families and friends gathered in the Community Garden a truly magical experience.

The afternoon was filled with laughter and smiles, the atmosphere was electric with the wonderful voices of Tamsin Ball (Classical Performer), Terry Bond and his karaoke machine and Shelly from mini concerts performing party songs.

Thank you to everyone who made this day so wonderful.  

At Tyspane Care Home, we take a whole-home approach to caring for our residents, families, friends, community, professionals, and staff. A common misconception when working in care is that we all have individual job roles and that there is no cross over between them. The carer cares, the housekeepers clean and organise and fix things, and although we are all employed in a specific role, that does not mean you cannot all work together to create a happy, friendly, productive environment.

Aime Bown (General Manager) emphasises,

“To make a home a happy, pleasant environment to work in and for your residents to live in, we all need to work together to create an inviting atmosphere. One may not realise, but all small acts make a difference to our residents, families, friends, colleagues, and community.  It is important that we all try to do things regardless of who is watching, lead by example and foster change for the better.”

This week, Marie, Tyspane Care Home, second chef, worked tirelessly alongside the residents in the community garden harvesting the marrows, tomatoes, and courgettes and turning them into culinary delights for a very fine dining experience.

Thank you to all residents, families, friends, community, and staff for supporting the community garden this year.

At Tyspane Care Home, we understand the importance of supporting residents to regain independence and maintain their well-being. Our physiotherapists provide a structured environment that encourages residents to engage in daily activities, participate in social events, and maintain routines that are familiar and meaningful.

Babs Spear, (Head of Physiotherapy) believes, “Residents can benefit from the structured routines and supportive equipment which can help them continue everyday activities and reduce confusion, especially for those living with dementia.”

One fine example is Tracey. Tracey moved to Tyspane Care Home three months ago, and has received intensive physiotherapy as part of her person-centred care plan. As a result, Tracey is now out and about in the community preparing for her next move, independence!

Well done Tracey. Absolutely incredible.       

Tyspane Care Home prides itself on providing outstanding hospitality. It’s about creating an experience that fosters human connections and loyalty. Our chefs, Rob (Head Chef) and Niki (Second Chef), always go the extra mile, they turn ideas and dreams into reality. They are dedicated to providing a person-centred approach to supporting residents, families, and friends.

Today, Niki (Second Chef) turned the family room into a restaurant for David’s birthday. His wife and family were treated to a truly unique experience, certainly one to remember. Special celebrations are not simply fleeting moments of joy; they serve as powerful tools for introspection and remembrance, and they create new memories for loved ones.

Thank you to everyone who made this special celebration so memorable.            

There is nothing quite like a British holiday as a child, especially one at the seaside. What began in the 18th century as an escape exclusively for society’s wealthy elite, is now loved and cherished by all, and to this day, we flock in our droves to experience the best of the British coast. 

We cannot get enough of those traditional seaside attractions we have all grown up with, so today Anne and Pat visited Saunton Sands Beach, for a spot of surf watching, eating ice-creams, and freshly cooked fish and chips. It really was a day to remember, a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

The sun shone brightly, the grass mowed to perfection and decorated with white lines and voices of merriment filled the air. Yes, it was the North Devon Athletics Club. The club was hosting the North Devon Athletics Club Peter Brend Young Athletics Meeting.

The club held a collection of sporting competitions focused on running, jumping and throwing. The event certainly brought everyone together to celebrate physical prowess, teamwork, and passion.

However, for those who attended from Tyspane Care Home, a massive thank you to North Devon Athletics Club for allowing Tony Prior to present medals to the children who participated in, “The Penguin Sports Foundation,” event. Tony was absolutely thrilled and honoured to be part of the day.