Activities at Crandon Springs Care Home

Our residents and families recently enjoyed a lively Pub Quiz Night filled with laughter, teamwork, and friendly competition. Five teams battled it out across rounds of general knowledge, sports, science, and history, while enjoying drinks and snacks in a relaxed, pub-style setting.

The quiz ended in a tie, with both The Tucks and The Snowbirds crowned joint winners. In true community spirit, the teams shared their prize of chocolates with everyone.

Our residents praised the event as “very enjoyable” and “so much fun,” with thanks given to the Activities Team for organising such a great evening.

Quizzes and games are a much-loved part of life at Crandon Springs, keeping minds active and bringing people together. Special events like the Pub Quiz highlight the warm, vibrant community that makes our home such a special place to live.

Our residents, relatives, and friends were recently treated to a special afternoon of music with talented local tenor, Gregory Steward.

Gregory, a classically trained singer, performed a captivating programme of opera and classic show tunes, filling our home with delight and applause. Residents were full of praise afterwards: Marion joked, “Can I take him home?”, Jane described the performance as “incredible,” while Roger said he was “very impressed.” Lisa summed up the afternoon as “truly wonderful.”

Meg Cleal, our Home Manager, reflected: “Music brings a lot of happiness and pleasure to everyone here at Crandon Springs. Several of our residents love opera and classical, so having Gregory perform for us was an absolute treat. It’s also a wonderful way to support local performers.”

The afternoon was such a success that we’re already looking forward to Gregory’s return for another memorable performance.

Our garden was filled with music, laughter, and community spirit at the weekend for our much-loved Summer Fair. Residents, families, friends, and neighbours enjoyed sing-along favourites from Mini Concerts, delicious homemade cakes, and a variety of stalls selling crafts, jewellery, plants, and original art by our resident Jane Ayton.

Children’s games, a raffle, and a bottle tombola added to the fun, helping raise over £500 for our Residents’ Fund which supports special activities and events. Visitors from near and far  joined in, including from another Barchester Care Home, Cadbury Hall in Yatton, making the day truly inclusive and fostering a great community spirit.

Meg Cleal, Manager of Crandon Springs, said, “It was fantastic to see so many people together. The atmosphere was brilliant and the entertainment spot-on.” Resident Christine summed up the day perfectly, saying, “What a relaxing afternoon. We’ve all had a lovely day; it really has been very special.”

We recently enjoyed a delicious beer and cider tasting afternoon thanks to our friends at the Glastonbury Brewing Company / Glastonbury Ales.

Mike from the brewery brought a fantastic selection of their local craft beers and ciders for us to sample, including favourite ales like Hedge Monkey, Zen, Lady of the Lake, and Mystery Tor, and ciders including the raspberry-infused Glastonberry, that went down a treat and emerged as a crowd favourite.

Residents appreciated the opportunity to learn about the brewing process and the stories behind each drink. Brian, a former landlord, remarked, “I could have done with a pint of this!” Tony is planning a trip to the local supermarket to buy some of the beers, and Barbara said, “It was a lovely afternoon. Mike was very interesting. I’m looking forward to him returning at Christmas.”

Our Activities Coordinator, Emily, noted that events like this enhance residents' experiences and strengthen community connections, and she thanked the brewery for their donation of a gift pack of beers to the Summer Fair raffle. Due to the event's popularity, a Christmas tasting session and a brewery tour are being planned.

We’re delighted that our Head of Maintenance, Peter Laing, has been named 'Health and Safety Champion' for the Central Division in the Barchester Care Awards 2025. The award recognises his exceptional commitment to maintaining a safe environment for our residents, staff, and visitors.

With over 5,000 nominations nationwide, Peter stood out for his dedication to safety standards and his collaborative approach to working with the whole team at Crandon Springs. He said: “I’m passionate about keeping everyone at Crandon Springs safe and comfortable, including those who live and work here and all our visitors. I work with a great team who take safety very seriously, so I want to thank everyone for working with me to achieve such high standards.”

As a divisional winner, Peter advances to the national finals, where he will join other regional champions at a celebratory event in October. We’re all very proud of his achievement for fostering a positive safety culture at Crandon Springs, and will be cheering him on to win the national title!

We recently welcomed the children of Rockers & Rollers Day Nursery for a fun filled sports day in our beautiful garden. The lawn buzzed with excitement as the children participated in classic games like egg-and-spoon races, beanbag balancing, and tunnel challenges.

Residents gathered to cheer them on, creating a lovely atmosphere of intergenerational connection. Our Deputy Manager, Darius, joined the fun, demonstrating egg-and-spoon techniques, while resident Eileen raced alongside Activities Team member Kath, encouraged by chants from the children of “Come on Eileen!” After the games, residents awarded medals to the young participants, celebrating their efforts. 

Darius said, “It was lovely to have the children here. Their energy was infectious, and we were pleased to offer our garden for these outdoor games.” Natalie, Manager at Rockers & Rollers, added, “Our children love these visits. These intergenerational events bring joy to both the children and residents.”

This event exemplifies Crandon Springs’ commitment to community engagement and enriching the lives of residents through shared experiences.

Our residents have been keeping cool and staying creative this summer with a flurry of colourful arts and crafts activities.

Led by Emily from our activities team, residents created their own decorative hand fans which are perfect for staying cool on warm summer days. The fun continued with bookmark-making for our book loving residents and a calming pebble-painting session using vibrant acrylic pens. The beautifully decorated stones now brighten residents’ rooms or have been shared as gifts.

“These sessions bring so much enjoyment,” said Home Manager Meg Cleal. “These activities are part of Crandon Springs’ life enrichment programme, designed to support wellbeing, stimulate creativity, and encourage social connection. Whether painting, crafting or simply chatting, there’s always laughter and a lovely sense of community in our home.”

We have been enjoying the best of Somerset this summer with scenic outings to the Cheddar Valley to sample fresh local strawberries and soak in beautiful views.

Part of our life enrichment programme, these minibus trips support wellbeing and community connection, offering our residents meaningful experiences beyond the care home.

A highlight has been visiting Warren’s Farm Shop, where we were warmly welcomed and enjoyed some of the region’s sweetest strawberries. Come rain or shine, everyone has embraced the excursions, picnicking on the bus during showers or enjoying strawberries and cream outdoors on sunny days with stunning views across the valley.

Other recent outings have included garden centre visits for tea and cake, ice cream at Wookey Hole, and peaceful afternoons at Deer’s Leap in the Mendip hills; just a few of the many ways our Activities Team support residents to make the most of every season.

We've partnered with Wells Community Network to offer residents free rides around our beautiful city on a battery-assisted Trishaw – a rickshaw-style tricycle piloted by trained volunteers.

The initiative has been a great hit, with residents enjoying fresh air, local scenery, and cheerful waves from passers-by. Resident Jane shared, “It was great fun – we felt part of the city and community,” while Joy said, “It was really enjoyable. More people should take the opportunity.”

General Manager Meg Cleal said, “These rides are more than just outings – they bring moments of connection, happiness, and belonging. This is just one of many meaningful activities offered at Crandon Springs, where life is full, engaging, and community focused."

The Trishaw Project, which is operated by the Wells Community Network and supports those with mobility challenges and helps reduce isolation, completed over 120 outings in its first year.

The Gardening Club at Crandon Springs is thriving under the guidance of our Activities Coordinator Emily, and residents are reaping the rewards of their green-fingered efforts.

Since they started work in the Spring, the club has transformed the raised garden area into a vibrant, accessible space for all residents, including those using wheelchairs. The dedicated area features a greenhouse and raised flower beds, allowing residents to engage in activities like planting, weeding, and crafting supports for climbing plants. Residents have also enjoyed outings to local garden centres, combining plant inspiration with tea and cake. Their efforts have resulted in a colourful display of sweet peas, sunflowers, cosmos, nasturtiums, runner beans, French beans, tomatoes, and baby cucumbers.

General Manager Meg Cleal commented, "Whether the skies are grey or sunny, our green-fingered residents are regularly out in the garden with Emily, donning sun hats or waterproofs, and tending their plants with great care."

The Gardening Club exemplifies Crandon Springs' commitment to creating a vibrant, active environment for residents, fostering both community spirit and personal well-being.

We celebrated Father's Day with a special Sunday Lunch, bringing residents and their families together and filling the dining rooms with conversation and the warmth of family connections.

The event featured a delicious menu designed by our new Head Chef, Simon Jackson, who recently joined the team. With over 40 years of culinary experience, including catering for the Royal Navy and working in several local restaurants and hotels in Wells, Simon brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for resident health and wellbeing.

As a proud father of three, he understands the importance of family and community, which was reflected in the warm atmosphere of the day. Guests enjoyed not only the food but also the opportunity to connect and create cherished memories. Resident Neville was delighted to be joined by his granddaughter who visited with her dad and mum Sara, who said, “This means so much to us.”

Simon is already planning future themed food events, further enhancing the vibrant community life at Crandon Springs.

Our residents recently enjoyed a series of heart-warming animal encounters. Therapy ponies, Jammy and Sugar, charmed everyone as they made their way through the lounge and individual rooms, offering gentle nuzzles and affection.

Adding to the joy, Bonnie, a friendly Labrador therapy dog, joined residents for a lively game of doggy bingo before making personal visits, sparking conversations and smiles throughout the home.

In a particularly memorable moment, when resident Neville, a former Somerset farmer, expressed a wish to see a cow, staff member Mia donned an inflatable cow suit to surprise him, bringing laughter and delight.

General Manager Meg Cleal remarked, “These animal visits are more than just entertainment; they play a crucial role in enhancing well-being. Interacting with animals can decrease anxiety, stimulate memory recall, and reduce feelings of loneliness. We are committed to enriching our residents' lives in varied and innovative ways. These special encounters have not only brought joy but also fostered cherished memories for our residents, staff, and visitors alike."

Crandon Springs was transformed into a vibrant dance floor for the launch of our new Dementia Disco initiative. Residents, staff, and guests came together to enjoy an afternoon filled with music, dancing, and fun, in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Recognising the positive impact of music on people living with dementia, our activities team introduced this dementia-friendly disco to foster connection and reminiscence. The event was met with great enthusiasm and energy, so we're making the disco a regular bi-monthly event on the Crandon Springs calendar.

Our resident Pat said: “Thank you for giving me the best time!”, and our resident Neville’s daughter commented: “Dad is really enjoying the disco and loving the fun of it. My mum always enjoyed a good party with friends, so this is a lovely reminder of happy times as well as an opportunity to have fun together today.”

To find out dates for future Dementia Discos and book to join the fun, contact us on 01749 685180 or email CrandonSprings.Reception@barchester.com.

We've been awarded an 'Outstanding' rating for health and safety following a comprehensive inspection by Barchester Healthcare's Head of Health and Safety. The inspection highlighted our exemplary standards in health and safety management, which ensures a safe, secure and supportive environment for residents and staff.

This achievement aligns with Barchester Healthcare's consistent recognition in health and safety excellence, having received the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Health and Safety Healthcare Sector Award for six consecutive years.

Meg Cleal, our General Manager said: "We are thrilled with this 'Outstanding' rating. It reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire team, from care staff to maintenance. Ensuring the safety and comfort of our residents is our top priority, and this recognition affirms our commitment to excellence."

Resident Ambassador Christine, added, "When I first came to live at Crandon Springs over two years ago, I was made to feel really welcome, and I liked it so much I decided to stay. There's a happy atmosphere, everyone is so helpful, and I feel very safe and well cared for."

We marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a heartfelt celebration of remembrance, music, and community spirit - residents, families, and staff gathered to honour the end of World War II in Europe by sharing personal memories and celebrating peace.

The afternoon began with a photo-sharing session, where residents reminisced and recounted their experiences. Christine recalled joining the celebrations in London's Trafalgar Square 80 years ago. Bill, who was 13 when the war ended, remembered the excitement in the air and seeing girls wearing "Kiss me quick" hats. Robert, aged 100, shared poignant memories of losing friends in the war and his role helping to extinguish fires from the top of St John's Church in Glastonbury.

Musician Malcolm then led a spirited sing-along on the piano, filling the home with melodies of the 1940s, and the event ended with a 1940s-themed street party buffet, accompanied by a glass of bubbly or a cup of tea.

General Manager Meg Cleal commented, "Today was a testament to the enduring spirit of our residents and the importance of remembering our shared history."