Activities at Tyspane Care Home

A big fear for many residents when moving into a Tyspane Care Home is that they will lose their independence. Maintaining autonomy over their own lives is essential for residents’ wellbeing. Tyspane Care Home recognises this, and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) even checks that residents are being supported to maintain their independence when they carry out inspections.

Only this morning, it was wonderful to see Lee getting ready to leave Tyspane Care Home to go shopping in Braunton on his motorised scooter. His scooter is not only stunning to look at (shocking metallic red) but also life-changing.  Having his scooter allowed Lee to retain his independence, enhanced his mobility, improved his health and mental wellbeing.

Lee (Resident) said, “It’s a cool piece of kit.”

Caroline (Visitor) replied, “Absolutely love my dear friend Lee. I am so pleased and proud of how well he is doing . I can't thank the staff enough for all they do for him and continue to do so.”  

As Lee is a heavy metal music fan, the sight of him leaving Tyspane Care Home grounds reminded me of the song “Motorcycle Man,” released by Saxon in 1980, which pays tribute to the thrill and power of motorcycle riding. 

Community visits to residents can take many forms, aiming to combat isolation and promote well-being. Tyspane Care Home understands the importance of residents joining groups, attending day centres, or volunteering in various settings. It is these regular contacts and social interactions that combat loneliness and feelings of isolation. They can boost mental well-being, reduce stress, and increase happiness.  Feeling connected to the community and having a role to play can provide a sense of purpose and satisfaction.

So, today it was wonderful to see our residents being welcomed by Braunton Caen Rotary, Memory Café at the Vivian Moon Centre for a presentation about the Braunton Community Garden, followed by tea, chat, biscuits and raffle. The atmosphere was friendly, welcoming and one which fostered a positive culture for everyone.

Doug (a resident's husband) said, “It is wonderful to spend time with my wife in the community. We always attended Braunton Caen Rotary, Vivian Moon Centre.”

Claire (Resident) said, “I was a lovely experience for me, I really enjoyed myself.”

At Tyspane Care Home we celebrate life through everything we do. Life at Tyspane is about more than just the care needed, so our teams are trained and committed to enriching the lives of all our residents, through stimulating the mind, the body and the soul.

Every resident is unique. From spending time and learning about each one, we can support positive well-being through a wide range and choice of events, outings, connections in the community and tailored activities. We’re interested in residents’ history, their life stories, the things they love and the things they don’t. We encourage social connections through engagement with residents, whether in their personal space, or in the heart of the home with others, using technology and expertise as appropriate, to ensure everyone receives the support that adds enrichment to their life.

This week alone, we have organised a guest artist to paint landscapes with residents of the beautiful Saunton Sands coastline, been entertained by a local singer/songwriter, guitarist Roger Colome, and for the green-fingered residents, extended the beds in the Community Garden with the help of David, John and Kelvin. Pamper, relaxation and physiotherapy sessions have also been held throughout the week for the mind, body and soul.

Patricia (Resident) said, “I love to listen to Roger, he plays the music I love. Everyone was singing and smiling. Fantastic Sunday afternoon.”

Michelle (Visitor) said, “The landscape techniques used made it a wonderful experience, so simple and beautiful.”

Claire (Resident) stated, “The garden is starting to flourish, simply stunning.”

So, remember, life is better when it is shared with good friends.

Easter, a time of new beginnings, the Easter bunny, and, of course, the occasional chocolate Easter egg. But Easter symbolises much more than Easter egg hunts and family gatherings. It’s one of the most important religious events in the Christian calendar, with the earliest recorded observance dating back to the 2nd Century, around 2000 years ago.

Easter is the celebration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection on the third day following his crucifixion. According to the Bible, Jesus was crucified and died on the cross but came back to life three days later. This act of resurrection is considered central to Christianity as it demonstrates to its followers that there is life after death. It also serves as a testament to God’s omnipotence, thereby strengthening the belief in God and Christianity as a broader belief system.

At Tyspane Care Home understand that for many Easter is a time of reflection, faith, and spending time with loved ones. For many, special occasions are when families get together. This is why taking time out for your older loved ones is so important. It will give you a chance to make memories that you will cherish for life.

To celebrate Easter and bring everyone together Reverend David Baker of St Brannocks Church, Braunton joined residents, families, friends and staff at Tyspane Care Home this day to deliver Easter Holy Communion.  His service was one that created an atmosphere of joy and celebration, incorporating hymns that broke through and opened hearts and reinforcement of the message to support others when needed. It was also wonderful to see at his service residents of other faiths; Quakers and Jewish religions.

Margie (Resident), “It was wonderful to stop and chat with Reverend David Baker after the service about my life in Barnstaple.”

Patricia (Resident), “I am not religious, but I enjoy spending time with Reverend David Baker, I could listen to him all day.”

Keith (Resident), “I was so pleased Reverend David Baker visited me in my room for a chat, it was good to talk.”

Thank you, David, for a wonderful, spiritual morning.

Community volunteers play a vital role at Tyspane Care Home, Braunton. Volunteering can involve a wide range of activities, from companionship, fundraising and entertainment. Volunteering connects people, skills and good causes; volunteers are at the heart of communities as they can use their local knowledge and life experiences.

At Tyspane Care Home we understand the importance of volunteers and visitors for the wellbeing of our residents. Supporting residents to continue to enjoy hobbies and interests is crucial to boost their self-esteem, reduce feelings of depression and anxiety, and improve overall mood. So imagine, David's face this afternoon was a pure picture of joy when a regular visitor from Milltown cruised up Tyspane Care Home drive with a Massey Ferguson 1953 Petrol Tractor on the back of a 20ft trailer especially for David. David being a massive fan of Massey Ferguson Tractors having learned to drive when he was younger in one.

This experience and social interaction provided David with the opportunity to share past experiences, stories, and wisdom, fostering a sense of purpose and value.

James (Volunteer and Visitor) stated, “I really enjoy spending time with David, we have common interests.”

David (Resident Ambassador) replied, “What a wonderful surprise.”

The RMS Titanic was a British passenger liner that, at the time of its building, was the biggest ship of its kind in the world. It took three years to build, and was thought to be so advanced that it was called ‘unsinkable’. On 10th April 1912, the Titanic set sail from Southampton, England, on her maiden voyage to New York, USA. The ship carried over 2200 passengers and crew members. Passengers had paid huge sums of money to be on board the famous ship.

Five days into the voyage, in the early hours of 15th April, the Titanic struck a huge iceberg off the coast of Newfoundland. The ship’s hull compartments began to fill with water, and the ship broke in two. It took less than three hours for the Titanic to sink. Due to insufficient safety precautions and a lack of lifeboats, only 705 people survived the disaster. The rest of the ship’s passengers and crew were lost in the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The disaster provoked worldwide horror and outrage, and has become one of the most famous maritime events in world history.

Although the Titanic Anniversary has never become an official event in any country, people all over the world commemorate the date every year, using it as an opportunity to reflect on the events of the past and remember those who were lost. So, this afternoon at Tyspane Care Home, residents, families, friends, professionals and staff gathered in the Activities Lounge to be entertained by Jonathan playing the saxophone to mark the anniversary. Tyspane understands it is important to remember these anniversaries because:

• It encourages us to connect with historical events.
• It keeps alive the memories of those who lost their lives on board, and the survivors of the disaster, one of whom lived until 2009.
• It connects us with each other, and is a reminder of people’s courage and resilience.

Gary (Resident) stated, “What a lovely afternoon.”

Pauline (Visitor), “Simple wonderful.”

"Many brave things were done that night but none more brave than by those few men playing minute after minute as the ship settled quietly lower and lower in the sea...the music they played served alike as their own immortal requiem and their right to be recorded on the rulls of undying fame." Lawrence Beesley, Titanic Survivor.