Creating a sense of community: The Barchester approach

Creating a sense of community within a care home is crucial. Evidence shows that relationships between staff, residents, family, friends and the wider community are the most important factor in determining the quality of life of residents. A strong sense of community is fostered through things such as taking part in social activities, shared daily routines and a welcoming environment.  In this article we’ll explore why building community is so important and how we embed it throughout our care homes.  

Understanding the purpose of community

The word community means ‘group of people’ or ‘collection of individuals’. Community can help us feel connected to something larger than ourselves – being part of a larger group of individuals is thought to be a basic human need. According to My Home Life Organisation, shared notions of community can include: influence, integration, need-fulfillment, emotional connection and celebration.  It can offer practical social, emotional functions, growth and learning and to achieve a common goal.

What does "community" mean in a care setting?

Community in a care setting refers to services offered to help people who need care and support in order to live with dignity and independence. It can also be seen as a group of people with similar health needs. For example, a group of people with dementia receiving similar care services. Embedding a community can promote optimal wellbeing in care homes. 

• Improved mood and happiness
• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Enhanced sense of purpose and identity
• Better quality of sleep

The importance of community in care homes    

Creating communities in care homes can make life feel a lot more meaningful and enjoyable for residents. When people move into care homes, they often leave behind familiar environments, routines and being in proximity to friends and families. For some, this can feel stressful and anxiety-inducing, and embracing community can make all the difference. When you offer opportunities where residents can continue enjoying activities and maintaining a social life, it helps to strengthen residents’ sense of belonging, makes them feel more relaxed and comfortable in their environments.

The role of community in our care homes

Every day, we’re committed to building and maintaining a sense of community throughout our whole estate. We encourage the community by providing activities and opportunities for social relationships and personal growth. We make sure the opportunities we offer reflect the needs and preferences of residents in our needs, so everyone in our care can thrive. 

Fostering connections through activities

Participation in meaningful daily activities is one of the mechanisms that foster social connections and a sense of belonging. We love it when residents are building connections with each other, as we know how important social connections are for people’s overall wellbeing in care homes. And that’s why our life enrichment programme offers group activities and clubs that residents can get involved in, to encourage socialisation and meet other people. Friends, families and local families are welcome to join in on the events and entertainment that we offer.

Creating safe and inclusive spaces           

An environment where people feel valued and where they feel safe enough to be themselves is key. There’s power in safe spaces, and it helps people thrive in their every day.  We create a culture where people’s ideas and personal expression are respected. We also develop inclusive space through person-centred care, comprehensive staff training, on diversity and challenging discrimination. We make sure that our activities reflect individual needs and preferences, as well as celebrate cultural and religious traditions. 

Enhancing communication within the community

Strong communications skills are absolutely necessary within the care community. It goes way beyond just knowing what someone wants and having the experience of how to action it. Personal expression needs to be respected, and it’s crucial that carers have the ability to listen, emphasise and talk about potentially distressing situations or issues calmly. Of course, disagreements and confrontation are inevitable, and it’s important that these are handled with kindness. Keeping everyone informed also contributes to better communication.

Sustaining community engagement

Community doesn’t just come about instantly. You build a sense of community through consistency. And that is why here at Barchester, we are constantly adapting, innovating and investing. Whether than be investing in entertainment that people can enjoy with others or hosting different types of events which gives the opportunity for people to chat and meet others. 

How do we keep residents engaged long-term?

We want our residents to thrive every day. You’ll find that our life enrichment programme caters to a range of needs and preferences, so our residents can stay active and engaged every day, with the choice of joining a group activity or taking part in a solo activity. We’re always keeping residents informed – each home has a dedicated activities page highlighting past activities and upcoming activities that everyone can get involved in. Our dining spaces have been developed to offer a place where people can relax, enjoy meals and socialise with the option to choose where they would like to sit.  

Community isn't just for our residents

We’re all about building community throughout our whole estate. And so, we make sure that our team members are included too. It brings employees together, enables them to feel a lot more fulfilled and satisfied with their work lives. We’ve embedded an inclusion culture within our company to ensure that we’re a place where everyone feels they belong and is celebrated, and we’re proud of that. We’re always welcoming feedback through our Tell Barchester survey to see what we are doing well and what needs improving. You’ll find that we’re dedicated to creating the best workplace for our employees and making sure we’re retaining them for as long as possible, which reflects in the high levels of care that we provide to our residents.