Activities at Tyspane Care Home
Our activities team are great at building the activities programme around the likes and interests of the people we care for. Ensuring that our social events offer fun and adventure is part of the ethos of our home; it’s important that those we support can enjoy an active and social lifestyle. Of course, there will always be those who prefer peace and quiet, and in these instances, a cup of tea and a chat are always welcomed.
Jacqui Conroy
Jacqui and her team devise and plan fun group activities and events for all our residents, including pamper days, gentle exercise classes and music therapies. Regular one to one sessions and smaller groups are tailored to residents specific needs and hobbies with gardening and crafts amongst the most popular.
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 Tyspane Care Home
Dementia Awareness Coffee Afternoon
All Barchester staff are dementia trained but in addition, every Barchester home and hospital has a dedicated Dementia Champion who is on hand to offer help, guidance and practical solutions to families who need additional support. Bertha, is Tyspane Care Home Dementia Champion, she is exceptionally caring and always goes the extra mile to ensure her residents and their friends and family have everything they need to live life to the fullest. She is full of good ideas for how to help families and loved ones overcome any difficulties they might be experiencing.
As part of her role, Bertha organised a Dementia Awareness Coffee Afternoon on Thursday 19th June 2025. The event was well attended by; residents, families, friends, staff, local community, medical clinics, professionals and interested academics. Specialist guest speaker, Leon Smith attended. Leon has been part of the Barchester Team for nine years, sharing his expertise and commitment to improving the lives of those living with dementia.
Leon shares: "Working in dementia care is a privilege. Dementia Care is more than managing the symptoms. By understanding each individual's unique experience, we can recognise the person, their story and their value."
The afternoon was a huge success, informative, reassuring and full of wonderful helpful examples of personal stories and experiences.
One family member stated, “It has been such an emotional journey for us, listening to Leon today helped us understand better especially how we can move forward. He put my mind at rest, and offered emotional support.”
An esteemed professional stated, “Truly inspirational, sometimes we forget about the individual, and how they see the world now.”
Local Community Member stated, “I have been to many talks, but this one was different, it felt real and relevant. Thought provoking.”
A massive thank you to everyone who made this event happen. Professionals with knowledge such as Leon Smith are invaluable and help people living with dementia and their carers to access other services and support through information about services and advice about day-to-day life. The afternoon helped to raise awareness about dementia, tackling stigma.
Gardening for health and wellbeing
Tyspane Care Home built their Community Garden in 2024 to support residents physical and mental wellbeing. Gardening and being among nature have been shown to improve mental and physical health.
Maureen sowed seeds in one our specially designed raised beds in March 2025, and joined the Gardening Club so she could observe the progress and tender to her seeds. So, imagine the joy on her face today, as she went outside to pick sweet peas for her room; it was alight with delight.
Maureen (Resident) stated, “It is lovely, the sweet peas smell lovely.”
David (Resident Ambassador) replied, “The Community Garden has changed so many residents' lives, it brings back memories and is good for our wellbeing.”
A massive thank you to all the members of Tyspane Care Home Gardening Club for supporting Maureen with her newly found love of gardening.
The Beauty of Tyspane Care Home Community Garden
Imagine being a resident at Tyspane Care Home and stepping into a vibrant patch of green in the middle of your neighbourhood — rows of thriving vegetables, blooming flowers, and friendly faces exchanging gardening tips and smiles. For many, community gardens are not just about growing food; they’re about growing happiness, resilience, and connection.
Engagement in gardening activities has shown to promote social relationships, family connection, emotional and mental wellbeing, moderate stress, reduce depression and anxiety, and improve cognitive abilities. Just gardening for several hours a week provides instantaneous reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms, while gardening daily is associated with reduced stress and increased life satisfaction.
Today, residents couldn’t stop smiling as they picked fresh broad beans and mange tout from the raised beds at Tyspane Care Home. Residents chatted about the bountiful produce, and they looked forward to sampling it later. Everyone was excited and felt proud of their achievements. Simply amazing.
Michelle (Resident) stated, “I can’t wait to cook them later; they look so fresh.”
The most beautiful thing a woman can wear is confidence
Elderly women face significant mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression, often exacerbated by life transitions, hormonal changes, and social isolation.
At Tyspane Care Home, we understand that major life changes such as retirement, loss of loved ones, and the transition into widowhood can significantly impact on mental health. These transitions often lead to feelings of grief, loneliness, and social isolation. In addition, hormonal changes in the period leading up to menopause (perimenopause) can trigger or worsen depression due to hormonal fluctuations. This is particularly relevant for women in their later years.
It is therefore crucial for elderly women to have access to mental health resources, support systems and activities that improve mental wellbeing. Recognising the signs of mental health issues and seeking help from healthcare providers can lead to effective treatment and improved quality of life.
To support our female residents, Tyspane Care Home has included in their weekly activities timetable; pamper sessions, mindfulness events, garden walks, exercise classes, relaxation classes and companionship sessions. The aim is to address mental health in elderly women and create an environment of awareness that supports the unique challenges elderly women face, along with appropriate support and treatment options.
The young have the strength, the old have the wisdom
Today, residents, families, friends’ young volunteers, and professionals from Tyspane Care Home visited the Braunton Caen Rotary Memory Café for companionship and fun. The Memory Cafe was set up on 30th September 2015 for people with memory problems who live in the village and surrounding areas. The Memory Café is held on the last Wednesday of the month in the Vivian Moon Centre.
The welcome we received was warm, inviting and genuine, which made us all feel valued and appreciated. It set the stage for a memorable experience and helped everyone build immediate connections. The afternoon was made even more special because Abi, a young volunteer at Tyspane Care Home, was made extremely welcome and supported by all those around her. She even won a Bingo prize!
Intergenerational experiences and these types of community events not only bring seniors and young people together but also foster mutual understanding, empathy, and invaluable relationships that can last a lifetime. By engaging in intergenerational activities, participants of all ages can benefit from a shared experience that transcends generations, creating a sense of community and belonging.
Angela (Resident) stated, “It was nice to see everyone.”
Mary (Resident) replied, “I saw my friends.”
A massive thank you to The Braunton Caen Rotary Memory Café, simply marvellous.
Why is community important?
Community is central to human experience, offering individuals a sense of belonging, identity, and support. It holds a fundamental role in shaping not only our social interactions but also our psychological well-being. Through shared experiences, values, and goals, communities offer a network that fosters a connection amongst its members. This interconnectedness is a strong psychological anchor that can significantly influence an individual’s mental health and emotional stability.
At Tyspane Care Home, we understand the importance of nurturing a community and the benefits it brings to our residents and their families. Also, communities are pivotal in shaping an individual’s mental health and identity. They serve as a crucial buffer against the adverse effects of isolation and provide essential emotional support to bolster well-being. With these thoughts in mind, Tyspane Care Home visited the local Braunton Village Fair today. The fair is organised by The Rotary Club of Braunton Caen. The fair had something for everyone: live music, good food, craft and information stalls with all profits going to Family Compass and Children’s Hospice South West.
It was a wonderful experience and allowed Tyspane Care Home to strengthen existing community ties as well as form new connections.
