Activities at Plas-Y-Dderwen Care Home

We recently celebrated a very special milestone for our wonderful volunteer, Sophie, as she turned 30! The afternoon was filled with fun, laughter, music, and of course — plenty of cake. Residents and team members alike enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea together, making it a day to remember.

Sophie has been an incredible part of our home, bringing joy, kindness, and enthusiasm to everyone she meets. Recently, she attended the Barchester Care Awards in Manchester alongside our Senior General Manager, Sharon. Although she didn’t come away with the national prize, Sophie has already achieved something truly special — being named Divisional Winner for Volunteer of the Year.

To us, Sophie is and always will be a winner. We couldn’t be prouder of all that she does for our residents and community.    

Last month, we had the privilege of supporting one of our residents, Mike, to attend his granddaughter’s wedding. It was a truly special occasion, and one that meant so much not only to Mike, but to his whole family.

With the help of our Senior General Manager, Sharon, who accompanied him on the day, Mike was able to share in the joy of the celebrations. His granddaughter Linzi and her new husband Jason were over the moon to have him there, and Mike’s wife, Rose, was especially touched to be able to enjoy such a milestone moment with her husband by her side.

Here at the home, it’s not only the big events and activities that matter, but also these intimate, personal moments that help our residents stay connected to who they are. For Mike, being present at the wedding reflected his deep identity as a family man—a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Mike’s love for his family shines through in everything he does, and we feel privileged to play a part in supporting those bonds. We pride ourselves on building not just a family with our residents, but also with their loved ones too. Moments like these remind us of the true heart of what we do.

This month, two of our wonderful team members, Ann and Linda, are celebrating their 60th birthdays—just a day apart! Of course, we couldn’t let such a special occasion pass without a proper celebration. Keeping it all a surprise was no easy task, especially while setting up right under their noses! But the effort was well worth it. A delicious cake, lovingly prepared by Curiositea Café, took centre stage, and both Ann and Linda were presented with beautiful bouquets of flowers. 

The afternoon was filled with fun, laughter, bingo with the residents, and a mouth-watering buffet prepared by our talented head chef, Simon. Happy 60th, Ann and Linda! We hope you both enjoy every moment of your celebrations—you truly deserve it! 

We had the pleasure of welcoming the Rock Choir Wales into our home for the very first time – and what a treat it was! Led by the talented Dan, the choir delivered an incredible performance, filling the room with energy and joy. Their lively renditions of classics like Sweet Child O’ Mine and Club Tropicana had our residents clapping along and smiling from ear to ear. What made the afternoon even more special was the presence of some family members in the choir – a lovely surprise that brought extra joy to a few of our residents. 

Following the performance, everyone enjoyed a delicious spread of tea, sandwiches, scones, cake, and fresh fruit. It was truly an uplifting and memorable afternoon, filled with music, laughter, and togetherness.      

At Plas Y Dderwen, community isn’t just something we talk about – it’s something we live every day.
Whether it’s sharing stories over a coffee at a local café, joining in with community groups, attending Chapel services, or laughing together during a lively game of bingo, we cherish every opportunity to stay connected with people around us. These moments are more than activities – they’re the ties that bring us closer.

We’re also proud to support our wider community. We recently delivered a box of essential items to the Carmarthen Foodbank, thanks to the generous donations from our residents, their families, and our dedicated staff. It was a small act with a big heart, and we are committed to keeping this going. If you’re visiting our home, you’ll find a donation box in our reception area – every contribution makes a difference.
Also this month, we made a visit to the local fire station with our Blue Light Breakfast. It’s our way of saying thank you to the incredible emergency services team who work tirelessly to keep us safe. Over bacon baps, fresh fruit, and juice, we shared a few words of gratitude and plenty of smiles.

At Plas Y Dderwen, we believe that community is built on kindness, connection and care – and that by coming together, we can create something truly special.

Recently, we hopped aboard the minibus and made our way to Xcel Bowl for an afternoon full of fun, food, and friendly competition.

We started with a delicious lunch, with dishes ranging from classic fish, chips, and peas to tasty hot dogs and paninis. Once everyone was fuelled up, it was time to hit the lanes!

The excitement really kicked off when our Activity Assistant, Ann, scored the first strike of the day—sparking a wave of competitiveness. Not long after, our Flo followed with a strike of her own, and the whole group erupted into cheers. The energy was fantastic, with everyone encouraging and celebrating each other.

Group outings like this not only bring joy and laughter but also give residents the chance to stay connected with the community and enjoy meaningful social interaction.

It was truly a wonderful way to spend a Wednesday afternoon—smiles all around and memories made!  

Monday afternoons are quiz time – and our residents never fail to bring their A-game! This fast-paced challenge keeps everyone on their toes, with the quickest person to shout the answer scooping up the point. The only rule? Have fun!

The questions had something for everyone – from general knowledge and farming, to history and even a little maths thrown in to spice things up. After a slow start, our brilliant Mr G (Geraint) pulled it out of the bag, claiming victory by just two points over John. He was as surprised as the rest of us – proving it’s never over until the last question’s asked!

A huge well done to all our quizzers who keep the room buzzing and make sure I, the quizmaster, am working harder than anyone. Thankfully, they haven’t started quizzing the quizzer… yet!  

We’re thrilled to announce that Sophie Rees has been crowned Volunteer of the Year for the Central Division at the Barchester Care Awards! Sophie has been volunteering with us for almost 10 years, generously giving her time three days a week to support our residents. 

Her warmth, dedication, and energy make her a truly valued part of our Activities team, and we couldn't be prouder to have her with us. Next stop… the nationals! Sophie will be joining winners from across the UK at a special awards ceremony in October, where we’ll find out if she’s scooped the national title. A huge congratulations, Sophie – and thank you for everything you do!

We were truly blessed to welcome Beti Wyn James into our home for a beautiful summer service. Her heartfelt words, filled with love, light, and warmth, lifted everyone’s spirits and brought a sense of peace and joy to our hearts.

As part of the service, Beti spoke about the power of connection and energy, and she even shared a fascinating demonstration using magnets. This simple yet powerful visual captivated the residents and sparked thoughtful reflections and conversations.
Beti has a wonderful way of connecting with others, and her presence never fails to brighten our days. Residents felt genuinely uplifted and comforted by her message, which left a lasting impression on all who attended.

We are so grateful for Beti’s continued kindness and the light she brings into our lives. Thank you, Beti, for sharing your spirit, your wisdom, and your love with us once again.

This Carers Week, we took a moment to pause and reflect on the people who make Plas Y Dderwen such a warm, compassionate, and supportive home – our incredible carers and colleagues. Each day, they go above and beyond, offering not just professional care but genuine kindness and connection. Their commitment, patience, and dedication never go unnoticed.

To show our appreciation, a chocolate hamper was delivered to the home, and our carers received thoughtful gifts as a small token of thanks. The Activities Team prepared a special afternoon tea, complete with cream scones and a delicious selection of homemade cakes. It was a moment for everyone to relax, enjoy and feel celebrated. 

Our residents also joined in, writing heartfelt messages that were proudly displayed on our Gratitude Board – each one a reminder of how deeply valued our carers are by those they support. To all of our carers – thank you! Your hard work and compassion make all the difference every single day.

This month we were invited to Johnstown School for their Harvest Assembly — and what a wonderful experience it was from start to finish!

We set off from our home on foot, enjoying a lovely autumn walk together and chatting about the flowers and plants we spotted along the way. When we arrived, we were given such a warm welcome. Some of the children had even created beautiful paintings for us and planted daffodils ready to bloom in the spring.

The assembly itself was brilliant! The children gave a wonderful performance — our residents couldn’t believe how well they remembered all their lines and absolutely loved all the singing. Many were swaying along to the music with big smiles on their faces. They talked about it all day afterwards, sharing how much they enjoyed the performance and how lovely it was to spend time with the children. It’s so special to be part of our local community and to share moments like this together.

This month, we proudly celebrated Housekeeping Week here at the home. It was a wonderful opportunity to pause and recognise the hard work and dedication of our Housekeeping Team, who play such an important role in daily life.

From keeping our home sparkling clean and comfortable to ensuring everything is in order, their efforts often happen quietly in the background—but the impact is felt by everyone. Their care helps create a welcoming environment where residents, families, and staff can feel truly at home.

To show our appreciation, the team were presented with a small gift and treated to cakes as a token of thanks. It was a simple gesture, but one filled with gratitude for everything they do, day in and day out.

We are so fortunate to have such a committed and caring group of people on our team, and we want to say a heartfelt thank you for all that you do. 

We are delighted to announce the official launch of Enable, our brand-new digital care planning system. This marks a major step forward in the way we deliver person-centred, life-enriching care.

With instant access to care plans and individual preferences through a simple app on handheld devices, tablets, and computers, our teams can now spend less time on paperwork and more time with residents. The move from paper to digital is transforming how we plan, record, and coordinate care—making it faster, smarter, and more connected.

To celebrate this milestone, our teams came together for a joyful launch day filled with balloons, excitement, and a spectacular lemon and raspberry Enable-themed cake, lovingly created by our Head of Housekeeping, Sandra, and her daughter at Curiositea Café. It was the perfect way to mark the beginning of this new chapter.

A huge thank-you goes to our dedicated Transposing Team and to everyone who supported the rollout over the past few weeks. Your commitment and enthusiasm have made this achievement possible.
Enable is here—and with it, the future of care is truly in our hands.

This month, our residents gathered for a crystal workshop led by our Activities Co-ordinator, Lisa – and what a joyous experience it was! Crystals offer a unique and engaging way to spark curiosity and step outside the everyday routine. Residents were invited to work in groups, encouraging teamwork and a wonderful sense of community. 

The task was to create a mandala using crystals, while also discussing the meaning behind each crystal and the intentions they wished to set within their designs. Each group worked together beautifully, with vibrant conversations flowing around the tables. 

Once their mandalas were complete, residents had the chance to name their creations, resulting in heartfelt titles such as Brightest Star, Elated, and Josephine. One especially touching moment came from Maureen, who explained, “We discussed a heart because of the love we all have for each other.” It was a perfect way to close the session, capturing the spirit of love, friendship, and togetherness that filled the room.

There’s something special about stepping outside the everyday routine and reconnecting with the wider world – and for our residents at Plas Y Dderwen, that’s exactly what made this recent day out so memorable.

We didn’t just plan one outing – we planned two! Our first trip took us to the beautiful Llansteffan beach, where the sun was shining and the sea breeze brought smiles all around. For many residents, the visit stirred up cherished memories of past holidays and seaside strolls. They watched the boats drift by, enjoyed the laughter and the simple joy of hot chips by the shore. And of course, no beach visit would be complete without a traditional ice cream enjoyed under the sun.

Later that same day, a second group of residents headed out for a lively evening at Xcel Bowl. Spirits were high as everyone joined in three fun-filled games of bowling alongside staff. The sound of laughter and friendly competition echoed through the lanes – each strike and near-miss adding to the joy of the moment. After the games, everyone gathered over food, swapping stories and playfully debating who had the best technique and comparing the scores of the evening.

These experiences go far beyond the activity itself. They offer residents a renewed sense of freedom, inclusion, and community. Being out and about not only brings a change of scenery, but it strengthens the bonds between friends, staff, and the world beyond our home.

It was a day filled with sunshine, shared memories, and smiles that will last well beyond the last wave or final game.