Activities at Briardene Care Home

Briardene care home was transformed into a traditional North East seaside experience, complete with delicious fish and chips, tasty ice cream, and plenty of happy memories.

Positive dining experiences are about so much more than food. By creating themed dining events, we encourage social interaction, spark conversations, and evoke cherished memories, helping to make mealtimes enjoyable and meaningful for everyone. 
There was lots of laughter as residents shared stories of family trips to the coast, favourite seaside treats, and days spent by the sea. 

Moments like these help turn every day dining into something truly special.  

Creating enjoyable, person-centred dining experiences remains an important part of supporting wellbeing and quality of life for our residents.

Residents enjoyed a relaxing trip to the park this afternoon, complete with tea and cakes at the café, peaceful walks around the lake, and plenty of fresh air and sunshine. 

The swans and ducks were out in full force, making it a perfect day to sit back and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Smiles, sunshine, and great company all around, afternoons like these are what it’s all about”.

They enjoyed a trip to the barbers for a full grooming treatment, including a relaxing hot towel wet shave and a fresh haircut. The experience was calm and enjoyable, and they returned to the home looking smart, refreshed, and in great spirits. 

It’s the little things that can make a big difference.     

To celebrate Mother’s Day, we honoured the wonderful mams at Briardene with a day full of care, comfort, and a little extra sparkle. They indulged in gentle spa treatments to help them relax and unwind, light makeovers to help everyone feel their very best and a delicious traditional cream tea to enjoy together. 

It was all about creating warm moments, beautiful smiles, and making our mams feel truly cherished. Because every mum deserves to be celebrated.     

Our care home was filled with joy as we embraced Chinese New Year with a truly special celebration! Residents enjoyed a delicious selection of Chinese cuisine, beautifully prepared for the occasion.

The home looked stunning with vibrant red and gold decorations symbolising good fortune and happiness for the year ahead.
Traditional music added to the wonderful atmosphere, bringing smiles and laughter.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the day so memorable. It was a fantastic way to celebrate culture, community, and togetherness.       

This week we had plenty of smiles as some adorable alpacas and guinea pigs paid us a visit! 

Our residents enjoyed spending time with these gentle animals, creating wonderful moments of connection, laughter, and joy.

They had such a positive impact on everyone's wellbeing, helping reduce stress, encouraging conversation, and brightening everyone's day. 

It was heart-warming to see so many happy faces as residents stroked, fed, and interacted with our furry guests.   

Celebrating the power of meaningful activities in complex mental health care. This week has been full of creativity, connection, achievement, and moments of joy across our home. From wellbeing sessions and group activities to creative projects, games, music, and community engagement, every activity is designed to support confidence, independence, emotional wellbeing, and social connection. In complex mental health care, activities are more than just keeping busy they provide purpose, self-expression, and opportunities to build positive relationships in a supportive environment.           

We are incredibly proud of our residents for embracing new experiences, and making every day meaningful. 

One of our lovely residents kindly shared her much-loved apple pie recipe, a true family favourite passed down through the years. Together, we rolled up our sleeves, peeled apples, and filled the kitchen with the most wonderful aroma as the pie baked. The best part? Sitting down together to enjoy a slice (or two!) with a cup of tea and hearing all the stories that came with it. Everyone said it was the best apple pie they had tasted.   

Moments like these are what make our home so special — bringing people together through food, memories, and laughter’.

One of our gentlemen recently enjoyed his very own “shopping spree”, choosing a record player and chatting all about his love of music. The memories came flooding back as he reminisced about visits to the Billingham Forum Theatre, sharing stories of shows, music, and special moments from years gone by.

No request is too big or small, creating meaningful experiences, sparking wonderful conversations, and all topped off with a dance. 

Everyone embraced celebrating not just romance, but friendship, kindness, and wonderful memories.

The residents enjoyed sweet treats and special moments, whilst putting their skills in to practice. Our residents have enjoyed a day filled with smiles and laughter.               

What a wonderful afternoon of music and fun! 

Our residents enjoyed an afternoon filled with singing, smiles, and plenty of sparkle as everyone showed off their glittery hats. 
There were lots of jazz hands, dancing, and laughter as we came together to enjoy the music and each other's company. 

It's always a joy to see everyone joining in, making memories, and sharing special moments together.

Our residents enjoyed a truly special visit from some gentle American miniature horses as part of our therapeutic wellbeing activities. Animal-assisted therapy can bring comfort, calm, confidence, and connection and today was filled with smiles, conversation, laughter, and meaningful moments. 

Residents had the opportunity to stroke, groom, and spend quiet time with beautiful Hazel and her handler Katy, creating a soothing and uplifting experience for everyone involved. Experiences like this support emotional wellbeing, reduce anxiety, encourage social interaction, and provide sensory stimulation in a safe and engaging way.      

A huge thank you for bringing so much joy to our home today. We are already looking forward to the next visit!”

When all you need is a well-deserved break and enjoying one of life’s simple pleasures—a cold, refreshing pint and a bag of crisps at the local pub.     

Living in a care home doesn’t mean missing out on the things we love. It’s about continuing to enjoy those familiar moments, sharing laughter, and making new memories along the way. Because sometimes, it’s the little luxuries that mean the most’. 

We had a wonderful time celebrating St Patrick's Day at Briardene, filled with laughter, music, and plenty of Irish cheer! 

Residents enjoyed a lively afternoon of traditional folk songs, toe-tapping dancing, and even a fun game of Irish bingo, which brought out everyone’s competitive spirit! 

The group had a brilliant time exploring the historic locomotives, sharing stories, and reminiscing. They explored everything from classic steam engines to powerful modern trains, there was plenty to spark conversation and memories.

It was wonderful to see so much laughter, friendship, and interest throughout the day. Trips like these are a great way to stay active, connected, and engaged with our local community.