Activites at Tyspane Care Home

Making wishes come true is important because it fosters hope, improves mental and physical health, and provides a sense of accomplishment and joy. It can strengthen relationships, especially within care homes, and provides a distraction from illness. Wishes can act as a catalyst for setting goals and taking steps to achieve them. At Tyspane Care Home we understand the importance of making our residents' hopes and wishes come true, particularly for residents facing difficult situations, the aim being to provide a boost to their self-esteem and overall sense of wellbeing.

Tony, a much-respected and loved resident at Tyspane Care Harm, used to coach and participate in athletics, and is still passionate about it today. He watches all athletic events on the television and enjoys sharing stories of his past achievements. When you talk to Tony, he always expresses how he misses being on the track side. He has longed to spend a day at the athletics track, watching and providing advice to those competing. Well, today, with the help and support of North Devon Athletics Club, we made Tony’s wish come true. Tony spent the whole day at North Devon Athletics Club, Young Athletics Meeting and, luckily for everyone, the weather held out and Tony spent the day on the track side, encouraging, socialising and watching events such as hurdles, races, javelin, long jump, and shot put.

Tony met friends from his past career as an athletics coach and made new friends with North Devon Athletics Club. The North Devon Athletics Club made Tony’s day extra special by participating in the presentations. They ensured his day was special and fun.

Tony said, “It has been a wonderful day, a dream come true. I have met old friends and enjoyed catching up.”

Tim Sharpe replied, “It was wonderful to see you, Tony. I hope North Devon Athletics Club have made your dream come true.”

A massive thank you to everyone who made this Tony’s wish come true, especially Emma and Tim at North Devon Athletics Club.

All Barchester staff are dementia trained but in addition, every Barchester home and hospital has a dedicated Dementia Champion who is on hand to offer help, guidance and practical solutions to families who need additional support.  Bertha, is Tyspane Care Home Dementia Champion, she is exceptionally caring and always goes the extra mile to ensure her residents and their friends and family have everything they need to live life to the fullest.  She is full of good ideas for how to help families and loved ones overcome any difficulties they might be experiencing.

As part of her role, Bertha organised a Dementia Awareness Coffee Afternoon on Thursday 19th June 2025. The event was well attended by; residents, families, friends, staff, local community, medical clinics, professionals and interested academics. Specialist guest speaker, Leon Smith attended. Leon has been part of the Barchester Team for nine years, sharing his expertise and commitment to improving the lives of those living with dementia.

Leon shares:  "Working in dementia care is a privilege. Dementia Care is more than managing the symptoms. By understanding each individual's unique experience, we can recognise the person, their story and their value."

The afternoon was a huge success, informative, reassuring and full of wonderful helpful examples of personal stories and experiences.

One family member stated, “It has been such an emotional journey for us, listening to Leon today helped us understand better especially how we can move forward. He put my mind at rest, and offered emotional support.”

An esteemed professional stated, “Truly inspirational, sometimes we forget about the individual, and how they see the world now.”

Local Community Member stated, “I have been to many talks, but this one was different, it felt real and relevant. Thought provoking.”

A massive thank you to everyone who made this event happen. Professionals with knowledge such as Leon Smith are invaluable and help people living with dementia and their carers to access other services and support through information about services and advice about day-to-day life. The afternoon helped to raise awareness about dementia, tackling stigma.

Tyspane Care Home built their Community Garden in 2024 to support residents physical and mental wellbeing. Gardening and being among nature have been shown to improve mental and physical health.

Maureen sowed seeds in one our specially designed raised beds in March 2025, and joined the Gardening Club so she could observe the progress and tender to her seeds.  So, imagine the joy on her face today, as she went outside to pick sweet peas for her room; it was alight with delight.

Maureen (Resident) stated, “It is lovely, the sweet peas smell lovely.”

David (Resident Ambassador) replied, “The Community Garden has changed so many residents' lives, it brings back memories and is good for our wellbeing.”

A massive thank you to all the members of Tyspane Care Home Gardening Club for supporting Maureen with her newly found love of gardening. 

Imagine being a resident at Tyspane Care Home and stepping into a vibrant patch of green in the middle of your neighbourhood — rows of thriving vegetables, blooming flowers, and friendly faces exchanging gardening tips and smiles. For many, community gardens are not just about growing food; they’re about growing happiness, resilience, and connection.

Engagement in gardening activities has shown to promote social relationships, family connection, emotional and mental wellbeing, moderate stress, reduce depression and anxiety, and improve cognitive abilities. Just gardening for several hours a week provides instantaneous reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms, while gardening daily is associated with reduced stress and increased life satisfaction.

Today, residents couldn’t stop smiling as they picked fresh broad beans and mange tout from the raised beds at Tyspane Care Home. Residents chatted about the bountiful produce, and they looked forward to sampling it later.  Everyone was excited and felt proud of their achievements. Simply amazing.

Michelle (Resident) stated, “I can’t wait to cook them later; they look so fresh.”

Elderly women face significant mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression, often exacerbated by life transitions, hormonal changes, and social isolation.

At Tyspane Care Home, we understand that major life changes such as retirement, loss of loved ones, and the transition into widowhood can significantly impact on mental health. These transitions often lead to feelings of grief, loneliness, and social isolation. In addition, hormonal changes in the period leading up to menopause (perimenopause) can trigger or worsen depression due to hormonal fluctuations. This is particularly relevant for women in their later years.

It is therefore crucial for elderly women to have access to mental health resources, support systems and activities that improve mental wellbeing. Recognising the signs of mental health issues and seeking help from healthcare providers can lead to effective treatment and improved quality of life.

To support our female residents, Tyspane Care Home has included in their weekly activities timetable; pamper sessions, mindfulness events, garden walks, exercise classes, relaxation classes and companionship sessions. The aim is to address mental health in elderly women and create an environment of awareness that supports the unique challenges elderly women face, along with appropriate support and treatment options.

Today, residents, families, friends’ young volunteers, and professionals from Tyspane Care Home visited the Braunton Caen Rotary Memory Café for companionship and fun. The Memory Cafe was set up on 30th September 2015 for people with memory problems who live in the village and surrounding areas. The Memory Café is held on the last Wednesday of the month in the Vivian Moon Centre.

The welcome we received was warm, inviting and genuine, which made us all feel valued and appreciated. It set the stage for a memorable experience and helped everyone build immediate connections. The afternoon was made even more special because Abi, a young volunteer at Tyspane Care Home, was made extremely welcome and supported by all those around her. She even won a Bingo prize!

Intergenerational experiences and these types of community events not only bring seniors and young people together but also foster mutual understanding, empathy, and invaluable relationships that can last a lifetime. By engaging in intergenerational activities, participants of all ages can benefit from a shared experience that transcends generations, creating a sense of community and belonging.

Angela (Resident) stated, “It was nice to see everyone.”

Mary (Resident) replied, “I saw my friends.”

A massive thank you to The Braunton Caen Rotary Memory Café, simply marvellous. 

Community is central to human experience, offering individuals a sense of belonging, identity, and support. It holds a fundamental role in shaping not only our social interactions but also our psychological well-being. Through shared experiences, values, and goals, communities offer a network that fosters a connection amongst its members. This interconnectedness is a strong psychological anchor that can significantly influence an individual’s mental health and emotional stability.

At Tyspane Care Home, we understand the importance of nurturing a community and the benefits it brings to our residents and their families. Also, communities are pivotal in shaping an individual’s mental health and identity. They serve as a crucial buffer against the adverse effects of isolation and provide essential emotional support to bolster well-being. With these thoughts in mind, Tyspane Care Home visited the local Braunton Village Fair today. The fair is organised by The Rotary Club of Braunton Caen. The fair had something for everyone: live music, good food, craft and information stalls with all profits going to Family Compass and Children’s Hospice South West.

It was a wonderful experience and allowed Tyspane Care Home to strengthen existing community ties as well as form new connections. 

Careful individual assessment and planning, in partnership with the resident and their family, carers and other supporters, is the starting point for meeting their needs. Being person-centred means meticulous and continuing attention to detail. This being particularly true for our male residents who are more likely to spend more time in their rooms and less time socialising with other residents.  Research suggests that men often gravitate towards gender specific activities such as building projects, card games and other competitive social engagements.  Therefore, it is important that the activity timetable is designed to offer well planned activities to engage everyone who is a resident at Tyspane Care Home including families, friends, professionals, community and staff.

This week, it has been wonderful to see so many of our gentlemen residents attending activities that interest them. It is through a diverse range of activities such as balloon tennis, darts, dancing, baking, gardening and guest appearances from singers and other activity professionals create an environment where everyone feels valued and included. These types of activities not only promote physical health and cognitive function but also foster emotional wellbeing, cultivating a profound sense of belonging within our community.

Tony (Resident) said, “I used to have a garden allotment, so it is so important to me that I am able to continue gardening at Tyspane Care Home.”

Peter (Resident) stated, “I thoroughly enjoy the jazz music, reminds me of home.”

At Tyspane Care Home, we understand that by facilitating participation for all residents, these activities foster camaraderie and social cohesion so that everyone feels like they are part of something special, thereby enhancing the communal fabric of our home.

At Tyspane Care Home we understand day trips and outings are an important part of our life-enrichment programme. We are fortunate to have access to a minibus to provide day-today trips to shops, as well as planned group outings and meaningful places of interest. Popular destinations include Saunton Sands Beach, North Devon Coastal Views, Museums and local Garden Centres. We welcome friends, families and local communities to share in our exciting events and entertainment, all chosen by our residents. Creating special moments, and new cherished memories with loved ones.

So, this wonderful sunny bank holiday weekend, we set off in the mini-bus to the beautiful beach at Saunton Sands. Residents were excited as many had not seen the sea for several years. The beach was packed with holidaymakers, dogs and surfers, which only added to the experience.

David (Resident Ambassador) stated, “It was wonderful, the atmosphere was amazing. It was like a family holiday.”

Irene (Respite Care) replied, “My daughter will never believe I have been to the beach. I have had such a great day. Thank you.”

Making wishes and dreams come provides a sense of accomplishment, purpose, and personal growth. Furthermore, it fosters resilience, perseverance, and a positive mindset, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling life.”