Activities at Tyspane Care Home

Tyspane Care Home understands the importance of community engagement and how community engagement can transform communities. Tyspane Care Home prides itself on being a member of Braunton community and always seeks to support local causes and groups. So, this afternoon it was wonderful for Tyspane Care Home activities team and residents to be invited to Braunton Caen Rotary Memory Café at the Vivian Moon Centre, Chaloners Road, Braunton, EX33 2ES. 

The trip was organised by a family member of one of our residents, and wow what an amazing experience it was. The Memory Club organisers arranged for a local guest artist to work with the local community; Jonathan Hayton held a creative paint workshop which was very inspirational as well as fun.  Furthermore, it was lovely for Tyspane Care Home residents to meet old friends and make new ones from the local village and further afield.

The Memory cafe was set up on 30th September 2015 for people with memory problems who live in the village and surrounding areas. However, it has now grown and they have several extra members who come along just to enjoy the company. The Memory Café is held on the last Wednesday of every month between 2pm and 4pm.

Mary (Resident) said, “It was lovely to see my friends.”

Angela (Resident) replied, “I enjoyed the painting very much.”

Tyspane Care Home would like to say a massive Thank You to Braunton Caen Rotary Memory Café for being so welcoming, we will be back.

The emotional support provided by social ties enhances psychological well-being. It is said that people who view their friends and families as supportive report a greater sense of meaning in life and feel like they have a stronger sense of purpose. 

Gathering with friends and family provides an environment where everyone, no matter what their personality type, can feel seen, heard, and valued.

Miriam (mother and sister to residents and volunteer) said, “I enjoy supporting residents at Tyspane Care Home. Everyone is one big family.”

Michelle (Visitor) replied, “It has been a very relaxing morning, everyone has enjoyed themselves.”

Thank You, Miriam, for reminding us that our primary purpose on this earth is to love, which is why it’s so important to cherish and nurture our relationships.

Many people visit luxury beauty salons not only to improve their appearance but to de-stress. Whether it’s aromatherapy, a gentle massage, or even a simple facial, these treatments can significantly relieve stress. If your mind feels fogged, and you long for relaxation, a pampering session is definitely worth it.

At Tyspane Care Home we are lucky to be able to use the salon to support residents’ wellbeing (mind, body and soul) by offering regular pamper sessions. The salon is a private area where residents can visit for a little bit of indulgence either with Louise (Tyspane Care Home Hairdresser), Julie and/or Jaye (Tyspane Care Home Life Enrichments).

The salon allows residents to be in a calm atmosphere where they are able to sort out their thoughts whilst feeling relaxed and comfortable.

Angela (resident) stated, “I feel so relaxed.”

Margaret (respite resident) replied, “I am enjoying myself.”

So, remember, it is important to spoil oneself. Being happy never goes out of style!

Good Things Come in Pairs (haoshi chengshaung), is a Chinese proverb. It can be read as an allusion to the Chinese philosophical principle that when the forces of yin and yang - or male and female - are in balance, harmony and order are achieved. However, at Tyspane Care Home, Good Things Come in Pairs, such as French Language Day and International Day of Happiness, what could be more perfect?

It is so important that we create meaningful moments through simple acts of gratitude and mindfulness. A friendly smile, a kind word, or a quiet pause can help us embrace the beauty of the present. When we stay fully present, we notice the small sparks that make life so much richer. Caring and Sharing is also the theme of the new World Happiness Reports being published on 20th March 2025. It explores  the latest research on the importance of benevolence, empathy and trust as vital drivers of both individual and national happiness.

With these mindful thoughts, Tyspane Care Home residents, friends, staff and families joined forces today to combine French cuisine and the French spoken language  to officially celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity.

Claire (Resident) said, “What a wonderful afternoon. I have enjoyed myself. It reminded me of France, where I was born. Thank You.”

Diane (Resident) replied, “I spent six years in France, and this afternoon it has been so much fun helping others pronounce words.”

Tony (Resident) stated, “I couldn’t stop laughing. Who would have thought I could speak French.”

Thank you to everyone involved.  Passez une bonne journée.

Between spring and Autumn 2024, Tyspane Care Home Gardening Club created the Tyspane Care Home Community Garden. The garden was built by David, Kelvin and John (Tyspane Care Home Maintenance) and the design, planning and planting was led by Patrick (Tyspane Care Home, Resident) alongside Julie and Jacqui on the Activities Team and families and friends. 

The Community Garden was accessible to wheelchairs. The planning process incorporated smooth pathways and comfortable seating areas. The Community Garden was a huge success for residents, families, friends and staff. It was a place of beauty with an abundance of vegetables which were donated to those in need. In addition, the Community Garden was used by residents to sit with families and celebrate birthdays and special occasions, entertain visitors or sit in quiet contemplation. The Activities Team used the area for grand and fascinating performances and shows throughout the summer months.  

The success was discussed at one of our residents' meetings. Tyspane Care Home residents meetings allow residents a chance to facilitate open dialogue between residents, staff, and leadership. Through these meetings, residents can express their needs and preferences directly to decision-makers, ensuring their voices are heard and concerns addressed promptly.                    

Aime Bown (General Manager) stated:
"At Tyspane Care Home, we support residents to maintain contact with those important to them, and always do our best to work alongside them, and their family and friends, to deliver the best care and support. This is achieved through great communication, whether it be through meaningful conversations or more structured meetings. We actively recruit and support resident ambassadors, to benefit residents' health and wellbeing. We welcome ideas and feedback, so colleagues can act to improve our services."

At the last meeting, the residents requested the Community Garden continue and, if possible, be extended to create more opportunities for outdoor summer events and fêtes, growing fresh produce to donate to local charities, seating spots for meditation and sensory experiences. As part of the "You Said, We Did" culture, a whole-home approach is being adopted to support the expansion of the Community Garden.

According to Age UK, more than 2 million people in England over the age of 75 live alone, and more than a million older people say they go over a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour or family member. People can become socially isolated for a variety of reasons, such as getting older or weaker, no longer being the hub of their family, leaving the workplace, the deaths of spouses and friends, or through disability or illness. Whatever the cause, it's shockingly easy to be left feeling alone and vulnerable, which can lead to depression and a serious decline in physical health and wellbeing. Someone who's lonely probably also finds it hard to reach out. There's a stigma surrounding loneliness, and older people tend not to ask for help because they have too much pride. Additionally, it's important to remember loneliness can – and does – affect anyone of any age.

At Tyspane Care Home we ensure that, as part of our daily activities timetable and daily routine, we build in time to experience talking moments. One method to support confidence in conversations with new people is to ask questions in order to find some common ground. This could be a shared interest, a particular experience, or a current event or news story that you’ve heard about.  However, today I was privileged to sit amongst residents in the lounge and talk effortlessly about hobbies, life experiences, family and friends, careers, the beauty of gardening and flowers. The list is endless.

Lorna (Resident) stated, “It was a nice morning.”

Marian (Respite Resident), “We should be called the ‘A Team’. We have talked all morning.”

Thank you Marian, Diane, Gwen, Lorna, Mary, Michelle, Doreen, Patricia, Noreen, Elizabeth, Bernard and Pippa or rightly named the ‘A’ Team. It was a wonderful and blissful morning.