Activities at Ashminster House Care Home
Activities at Ashminster are based on residents' life histories. We host music workshops and encourage participation in a number of other activities, including gentle exercise, bingo and gardening. Monthly live singers entertain everyone with music from the 50s, 60s and 70s and residents are encouraged to interact with the musical instruments. Sensory sessions with fibre optic lights and touch & feel blankets are provided, which can be calming to those living with dementia. Residents participate in cooking sessions and enjoy the aromas of bread, scones and cakes - and, of course, sampling the finished product over a cuppa! We promote family values at Ashminster, and those we support can enjoy reminiscing about family events in the past, including weddings and previous occupations.
Elaine Hilden
I have worked at Ashminster House since 2003, first as a carer then progressing to activities coordinator, which has know as 'Head of Lifestyle'. I have a wealth of experience in my role, as well as NVQs in Health and Social Care, Activities in the Care Setting and Dementia.
I am passionate about fulfilling residents' lives by getting to know each individual with a person-centred approach, learning about their experiences and helping them to express themselves, such as through reminiscing with items of old.
My interests outside of work include antiques, dogs and spending time with my family.
Read our brochure 'Life-enriching activities' for more information about life in our care homes.
Read our brochure
Activities and Events Partnerships
As part of our bespoke life-enrichment programmes, we host a number of live virtual events in the home on a regular basis through a number of partnerships with places of interest and world class performance companies
Life at Ashminster House Care Home
Sea Life London
As part of Barchester’s Life Enrichment Programme, staff and residents at Ashminster House enjoyed an exciting virtual presentation, provided by SEA LIFE London Aquarium.
Everyone at the home had the opportunity to learn more about the SEA LIFE London Aquarium, which is a home to more than 300 species and 4,000 creatures and to see green sea turtles, feeding of Gentoo penguins and sharks in their 1 million litre shark tank.
The SEA LIFE London Aquarium is located on the ground floor of County Hall on the South Bank of the River Thames in central London, near the London Eye. It opened in March 1997 as the London Aquarium and hosts about one million visitors each year.
Lucy Tomlinson, Resident Experience Manager for Barchester Healthcare, commented: “Our varied life enrichment programme keeps the residents active, and provides a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to the residents’ interests and abilities.”
Birthday celebrations and cake
Our residents really enjoyed celebrating the Queen’s Birthday and sharing memories of the Queen Elizabeth 11 over the year. Our Chef made a delicious birthday cake with a union jack on the top of the cake. A good time was had by all.
Local footballing legend enjoying Ashminster's homemade cakes
Staff at Ashminster House donated some delicious homemade cupcakes for the opening of the new fox inn pub in Willesbourgh Ashford. Local boy, footballing legend Neil ( Razor ) Ruddock enjoyed some cakes and chatted with our staff too. Afterwards the team talked with our residents about Razor's fantastic footballing career.
World Health Day
To celebrate World Health Day, Elaine our fabulous lifestyle coordinator and our wonderful resident Heather created an interesting display of healthy food for our staff and residents. Tasty and creative. Thank you ladies
Community Deliveries
A representative from Ashminster House today delivered Easter cakes and Barchester goodie bags to Expertise Homecare and other community contacts. Expertise Homecare are a company who work with vulnerable people in the Ashford and Canterbury area. The cakes and goodie bags will be given to theses people. Happy Easter from Ashminster House
Plant Club
Ashminster House is reaping the benefits of the residents plant club. We now have many new additions to our home that are thriving and bringing in new life. A lovely way to spend an afternoon tending our plants we have grown from tiny cuttings. We now even have an indoor garden
