Activities at Plas-Y-Dderwen Care Home

We enjoyed a fantastic morning out at Xcel Bowl, where residents and staff came together for a fun and active outing in the community.

There was a great sense of excitement as the games got underway, with a little friendly competition between staff and residents adding to the enjoyment. Everyone took part in good spirits, sharing plenty of laughter and encouraging one another throughout.

After a couple of lively games, we sat down together to enjoy lunch, giving everyone time to relax, chat, and reflect in the morning. It was lovely to hear how much the residents appreciated the opportunity to get out, try something different, and enjoy a change of scenery.

Overall, it was a brilliant day filled with fun, connection, and positive memories for everyone involved.

This month, we enjoyed a lovely Mother’s Day celebration at the home, bringing together mothers and daughters for a special afternoon of tea and scones.

It was a wonderful day filled with smiles, laughter, and meaningful moments shared between loved ones. Everyone enjoyed spending time together, reminiscing, chatting, and making new memories.

Events like these are a great reminder of how important it is to celebrate the special relationships in our lives and to create opportunities for connection and joy.     

January marked the beginning of our new series of informative talks within the Dementia Support Group, and we were delighted to start with such a meaningful and engaging session. Our Senior General Manager, Sharon, alongside Andy, our Dementia Champion and Head of Community, delivered an insightful talk focused on communicating with people living with dementia.

The session brought together residents and family members in a safe, supportive environment where learning, discussion, and shared experiences were encouraged. Drawing on the team’s extensive knowledge and experience, the talk explored how communication works and how the brain functions as a system when understanding and expressing thoughts and feelings.

Andy also led an interactive exercise, inviting audience participation to demonstrate how differently the brain can process information. This hands-on approach helped highlight alternative ways of communicating and deepened our understanding of the challenges faced by people living with dementia. The session concluded with an open discussion, giving attendees the opportunity to ask questions and share personal experiences of supporting loved ones.

It was a truly valuable way to launch our dementia support group talks, setting the tone for future sessions that aim to inform, support, and strengthen connections within our community.   

In December, we were delighted to welcome two very special visitors all the way from the North Pole — Father Christmas and his festive wife, Mrs Claus. Their visit brought excitement, smiles and a wonderful sense of magic throughout our home.

Mr and Mrs Claus have been supporting the charity LATCH for many years, and we are incredibly grateful that they have also made visiting us at Plas-y-Dderwen a long-standing tradition. Over the years, their visits have continued to bring joy not only to our residents, but also to their families, creating cherished memories for everyone involved.

The magic of the occasion was beautifully captured by professional photographers, allowing families to take home lasting reminders of this special visit. The children were especially delighted, each receiving a gift from Santa himself — a moment that sparked smiles, laughter and festive excitement.

It was a truly heart-warming visit that reminded us of all the power of kindness, tradition and shared moments, and we are so thankful to Mr and Mrs Claus for continuing to spread Christmas cheer within our home.      

Recently, we hopped onto our minibus and headed into Carmarthen for a lovely day out. Our first stop was Charlies, where we were all captivated by the beautiful Christmas decorations—especially the singing yetis, which truly mesmerised everyone! It was wonderful reminiscing about past Christmases while browsing through all the festive displays and gifts. 

Colin smiled and said it had taken him back years, and that even at 93, the Christmas magic made him feel much younger! Next, we stopped at The Range, where we continued to enjoy the festive atmosphere and even managed to find a few bargains to help us decorate our home for the coming season.

After all that browsing and shopping, we made our way to Tafarn Tanerdy for a well-deserved lunch—and, of course, a cheeky pudding to finish!

What a fun-filled day we all had, full of laughter, memories, and festive spirit.   

Another sunny day gave us the perfect excuse for a little adventure, this time with a trip to Llansteffan Beach. With the sun shining and the sea stretching out before us, it was an ideal setting for a relaxing afternoon together.

We enjoyed a classic treat of chips by the sea, which everyone thoroughly appreciated as we took in the beautiful coastal views. The fresh air and sound of the waves created a calm and uplifting atmosphere for all.

There was plenty of chatter and laughter throughout the afternoon, with residents sharing stories, enjoying each other’s company, and making the most of the outing. It was wonderful to see so many smiles and such a strong sense of togetherness.

Days like these are truly special, giving everyone the chance to get out, enjoy new surroundings, and create meaningful memories that will be cherished long after the day is over.      

This month, the Barchester community came together to create something truly magical. Plas Y Dderwen was proud to host a live virtual event from our home, streaming to 149 other Barchester Healthcare homes across the country. What started as a special performance in one home quickly grew into a shared celebration, uniting residents and teams in a collective afternoon of music, connection and joy.

Behind the scenes, Brendan and Laura from our Life Enrichment Team worked tirelessly to ensure everything ran seamlessly. Thanks to their dedication, homes across the country were able to join us in real time, sharing in every note and every smile.

The highlight of the afternoon was the wonderfully talented Marion O’Toole, whose harp performance captivated everyone watching. Residents sang along to beloved classics including Sweet Caroline, Calon Lân and You Are My Sunshine, and delighted in a lively Beatles medley that proved just how uplifting and contemporary harp music can be. Voices rose in unison across homes, creating a soundtrack of togetherness that could be felt far beyond the screen.

We were also delighted to welcome residents and teams from Hafan Y Coed Care Home – Barchester Healthcare, who joined us for lunch and brought warmth and laughter to the day, as well as Llys Y Tywysog Care Home – Barchester Healthcare, whose residents filled the room with energy, dancing, clapping and radiant smiles.

There was a genuine sense of love in the air as we shared not only music, but meaningful connection. It was a powerful reminder of how live performance can spark memories, lift spirits and strengthen the bonds within our Barchester family.

It was, in every sense, a magical afternoon — one created together and treasured by all who took part.

This month, residents enjoyed a truly informative and uplifting visit from members of the Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team, who joined us for a relaxed “cuppa with a copper.” Officers from Carmarthen, Whitland, and St Clears popped in for a chat, bringing plenty of smiles and sparking lots of conversation. To set the mood before their arrival, residents listened to the classic song “The Laughing Policeman,” which filled the room with laughter and helped everyone feel at ease and in good spirits.

During the visit, residents loved chatting with the officers and learning more about their roles. There was particular interest in understanding the difference between a PC and a PCSO, with officers explaining what a PCSO’s day-to-day role involves, the areas of Carmarthen they cover, and the types of incidents they may be called to. This led to plenty of thoughtful questions and lively discussion.

One resident proudly shared stories from their own time working with the Ministry of Defence Police, creating a wonderful moment of shared experiences and meaningful connection. It was heart-warming to see residents reminiscing, engaging so openly, and enjoying that strong sense of community. In the lead-up to the visit, residents had also explored police uniforms from around the world and looked at how police cars have changed over the years, which helped set the scene and added to the excitement of the afternoon.     

Overall, it was a fantastic visit that combined learning, laughter, and community spirit — an afternoon everyone thoroughly enjoyed.

Throughout December, community connections have been at the very heart of our life enrichment programme, filling our home with warmth, music, laughter and togetherness. It has been a truly special time of welcoming the community in and taking our residents out to be part of the surrounding community — and the celebrations didn’t stop when December ended.

We have been incredibly lucky to share magical moments with so many wonderful groups and individuals, including the Madrigals Choir, Carmarthen Male Voice Choir, Awl Bronsancler LMA Church, Babell Chapel, Tonic Choir, St Mary’s Church and the Minstrels, Dr MZ Youth Group, Beavers, Mr and Mrs Claus, local counsellors, Carmarthen Round Table, the Rotary Club, Inner Wheel, the Salvation Army Band, Rev’d Beti Wyn James, and the Carmarthen Symphonic Wind Band. Alongside them all, our families and friends helped make every moment even more meaningful.

A very special thank you goes to our wonderful entertainers — Robbie Lee, Kelly Wyatt and Carmarthen Ukuleles — who brought joy, energy and festive spirit throughout the season. Carmarthen Ukuleles also helped us welcome the New Year in style, entertaining us through our New Year celebrations and ensuring the year began with music, smiles and togetherness.

It has been an absolutely magical festive season, and none of it would have been possible without the kindness, generosity and time given by our community — and the dedication and care of our wonderful team of staff. Thank you all for helping to make this season truly merry and bright, right through to the New Year.             

This month we hosted our very own Pudding Club, bringing residents together for an afternoon of sweet treats and good company. Our Senior General Manager, Sharon, and Activities Co-ordinator, Lisa, created a wonderful selection of desserts, including black cherry trifle, lemon posset, cheesecake, Eton mess, banoffee pie, and sticky date pudding with warm caramel sauce.

The event was a huge hit, with everyone enjoying the chance to sample the different puddings and share the experience together. A truly delicious way to brighten the month!   

We made the most of the beautiful weather this month with a wonderful impromptu afternoon out for some of our residents on Memory Lane. With the sun shining, it felt like the perfect opportunity to get outside and enjoy some fresh air together.

We took a trip to Abergwili Museum, where we spent time sitting in the gardens and enjoying ice creams in the sunshine. It was a relaxed and cheerful afternoon, with plenty of smiles along the way.

It was also lovely to see members of the Carmarthen Ukuleles and meet some new faces, adding to the sense of community. During our walk, we even made a couple of furry friends, Mac and Jack, who were a big hit with everyone.

We are very grateful to everyone who stopped to chat and helped make the afternoon so special. To finish, we were treated to a small, private performance from the ukulele group, which was a perfect end to a truly enjoyable day.    

We recently enjoyed a fabulous Joyful Jive afternoon in our Memory Lane community, made all the more special by a visit from Tumble Lindy Hop Jive, also known as the Carmarthenshire Lindy Hoppers.

Our guests brought incredible energy and enthusiasm as they bopped into Memory Lane, filling the room with lively music and the unmistakable rhythm of jive. Residents and staff alike were soon tapping their feet, clapping along, and even taking to the floor to dance.   

It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces, hear laughter echoing through the room, and witness those special moments that music and movement can inspire. For some, the familiar tunes sparked cherished memories; for others, it was simply the joy of sharing an uplifting experience together.

Events like our Joyful Jive afternoon are about more than entertainment. They create meaningful connections, encourage conversation, and bring our community closer together through the shared enjoyment of music and dance.

We had a wonderful afternoon welcoming our friends from People Speak Up for a truly special storytelling session. Ceri brought the stories vividly to life while Bethan’s live music beautifully reflected the mood and moments of each tale, creating an engaging and immersive experience for everyone.

The session became even more memorable during the second story, as residents and staff joined in with musical instruments and shared their own ideas, making it interactive, inclusive, and full of smiles. We were also delighted to be joined by John from Age Cymru, who spent time chatting with residents and the People Speak Up team and filmed parts of the afternoon to help raise awareness of the meaningful activities taking place in care homes.

It was a lovely afternoon from start to finish, and our residents thoroughly enjoyed every moment. Thank you to everyone involved for making it such a memorable experience.    

One of our December highlights was our much-loved visit to the Hollybrook Country Inn for Christmas lunch. This year marked our third year visiting, and it continues to be a wonderful way to bring residents and families together to share some extra-special festive moments.

Gemma and Jacqui welcomed us with open arms, and the Inn looked absolutely beautiful, filled with festive decorations and Christmas cheer. We enjoyed a delicious roast turkey lunch with all the trimmings, followed by a fantastic selection of desserts. There was plenty of laughter throughout the afternoon, including Christmas sing-alongs, a few cracker jokes, and we rounded everything off perfectly with tea and mince pies.

We were lucky enough to visit twice this December, and on both occasions residents and families came together to enjoy a truly spectacular festive experience. As always, Gemma and Jacqui never disappoint.
A huge thank you to Jacqui and Gemma for another amazing Christmas at Hollybrook. We are so grateful for the warm welcome and wonderful memories — and we’re already looking forward to visiting again in the new year!

This month, we continued our Blue Light Breakfast initiative with a visit to the Carmarthen Veterinary Centre and Hospital.

Over the past few months, we’ve delivered breakfasts to the hospital, the ambulance service, and the fire service. This time, we wanted to thank the veterinary team for the important work they do for our pets and the wider community. Our chef prepared 30 bacon baps, along with plenty of fresh fruit. When we first arrived it was quiet, but once the news spread, staff came out quickly to enjoy a warm breakfast.

It was a small gesture, but a meaningful one. Our vets are a vital emergency service, and we were glad to show our appreciation for everything they do.