CARE HOME RESIDENT DANCES THROUGH DEMENTIA INSPIRING CHAIR-O-SIZE CLASSES
Passionate performer and former co-owner of Yorkshire dance school, ‘Dance Worksop’, Sylvia Hawley, is tapping into the chair-based exercise trend to help her fellow residents keep fit.
The 84-year-old grandmother, a resident at Gateford Lodge care home in Worksop, has taken the role of leading “Chair-o-size” classes, drawing on decades of dance experience.
Born in Thurcroft, South Yorkshire, Sylvia’s love of dance began in childhood, where she took part in traditional activities such as maypole dancing. In her younger years, she briefly pursued dance professionally, performing as a “Betty Fox Babe” and appearing alongside well-known entertainers including Charlie Chester and Ken Dodd.
Today, Sylvia lives with dementia, but continues to speak vividly and enthusiastically about her dancing life, sharing her stories with staff and residents.
Motivated by her enduring passion, Sylvia approached staff at Gateford Lodge with the idea of leading a Chair-o-size class for fellow residents—combining gentle exercise with music and movement.
Sylvia said,
“I took some time off dancing to look after my family, but my passion never faded.
“I returned to dance in my 40s through keep-fit classes before moving onto jazz and tap. This led me to teaching and then to co-founding Dance Worksop.
“I am really enjoying teaching again – it’s been too long.”
Sylvia dedicated many years to teaching disciplines including jazz, tap, and ballet to over 100 students at the dance school’s peak. She even gained a formal ballet teaching qualification in her 50s.
Sylvias son, Stephen Hawley said,
“Whilst the Alzheimer’s has robbed mum of most of her memory, she has a vivid recollection of her dancing era and loves to share her stories.
“This initiative has been an amazingly positive and enjoyable experience for mum and all the residents.”
A regular at Sylvia’s classes, 84-year-old, Guy Mathews said,
“Sylvia brings so much energy and happiness to every session. I always leave with a smile on my face and can’t wait for the next one.”
Home manager at Gateford Lodge, Luke Curley said,
“We all love hearing Sylvia’s stories about her dancing days.
“When she approached us about leading a class of her own, we were only too pleased to support her and the residents are thoroughly enjoying her classes.
“Whilst the residents will get a lot out of Sylvia’s classes, Sylvia herself is using the classes as a form of reminiscence therapy, which we know is particularly beneficial for people living with dementia.”
BARCHESTER HEALTHCARE BRINGS LUXURY NEW CARE HOME TO MAIDSTONE
Award-winning national care provider, Barchester Healthcare, has broken ground on a brand new 67-bed luxury care home development in Maidstone.
The new home, which will be named Orchid Place, is being built by Jenner (Contractors) Ltd, and is owned and will be operated by Barchester Healthcare. The home will provide personalised residential, dementia and respite care for older people in Maidstone and the surrounding areas from early 2028.
The luxury new home has been designed with residents’ comfort in mind with a café for residents to socialise and enjoy freshly baked treats, spa bathrooms for a luxury bath time experience, beautiful en-suite bedrooms with smart TVs, a choice of comfortable lounges, a dedicated activities room, a cinema for an authentic movie experience, and in-house hair and beauty salon for a little bit of pampering.
Barchester Healthcare is committed to providing a premium caring experience. Barchester staff take pride in getting to know each of their residents to provide tailored care and support, ensuring dignity and choice in every aspect of daily life. Once open, the home will provide a dedicated Life Enrichment programme which includes a choice of daily activities so that residents can continue to do the things they love, try something new and above all keep the enjoyment in every day. Talented chefs will prepare delicious, nutritious home-cooked meals from seasonal menus, created with residents’ preferences in mind.
Senior Property Development Manager at Barchester, John McElholm, commented: “We are really excited to get this project under way. Our Maidstone home will be a fantastic addition to the local community.”
Aaron Stoakes, Senior Surveyor for Jenner, said: “We are delighted to be starting this new project working with Barchester Healthcare once again. We are looking forward to the build process and working closely with the Barchester team. This is a fantastic looking building sited in a great location. Together with our management team and carefully chosen sub-contractors, we will deliver this project as planned by early 2028.”
The care home will have an on-site marketing suite that will open its doors to the local community and visitors in Autumn 2027.
Evolve Care Academy: Changing the Moment to Create Connection
Every person receiving care, whether in a care setting or at home, brings with them their own life experiences, personality, preferences and ways of communicating. Because of this, building meaningful connections is not always straightforward and often requires patience, understanding and a willingness to see the world through their eyes.
Some people may be navigating a cognitive journey that affects how they process information, communicate or make sense of their surroundings. Others may be living with a Dementia, which can influence how they experience the world around them. Some people may express distress or communicate their needs in ways that are less easily understood, while others may value their independence and need time to develop trust and feel comfortable accepting support.
Whatever their circumstances, taking the time to understand the individual behind the diagnosis, behaviour, or care need, is often the foundation for building genuine relationships and providing meaningful support.
Throughout the year, people working across the Evolve homes in Devon, Wales and Somerset, alongside those working within our Central Support office, take part in training days at the Evolve Care Academy in Bristol. The thinking behind this is simple; regardless of role, everyone should understand the people living within our homes, their life experiences, preferences and the approaches used to support them.
Whether someone works in care, catering, housekeeping, maintenance, administration, or anything in between, they are still part of the environment that family members call home. By developing this understanding, people across every department can better appreciate the impact they have on daily life within the home and the part they play in supporting those who live there.
A Communications Perspective: What Training Taught Me About Care
Having worked within the communications team for almost a year now, I regularly visit our homes and spend time with family members and those supporting them. As someone with no previous experience working in social care, I initially felt out of my depth when I entered the sector. But I was amazed by how much I had learned about Dementia care and care more broadly in just a few short months.
Attending training gives me valuable context when listening to family member and team member stories and sharing them with others. What I find particularly valuable is hearing directly from those attending the training. The discussions often draw on real experiences from the homes, providing an insight into the situations people encounter, the decisions they make and the thinking behind them. It helps bring the training to life in a way that reading or e-learning never could.
What Makes a Person Feel Safe?
The most recent training sessions held in the training room, Seen, Heard, Valued, were designed to explore why creating connections with the people who live with us is so important, and how this helps those living with us to feel safe.
As we entered the training room, the ceiling was covered in a jumble of different items. There were uniforms from a range of occupations, including a nurse’s uniform, police uniform, high-vis jackets and hard hats. Foam football hands hung alongside Christmas decorations, while flags from more countries around the world lined the edge of the room. Together, these objects represented the many things that can make up a person’s identity; where they come from, their culture, the work they once did and the life they have lived.
As the session began, we discussed Thomas Kitwood’s philosophy and why attachment, inclusion, occupation, identity, comfort and love are so important, particularly for people living with a Dementia.
Eve Carder, Clinical Lead at Evolve, explained, ‘Our job is to keep people safe. It is as simple as that. What’s more complex is what a person needs in order to feel safe.’
What I understood from this was that it is not enough for people living in our homes to simply be physically safe. They also need to feel emotionally and mentally safe within the environment around them and the people supporting them each day.
There were discussions around why someone living in our homes may not always feel seen, heard or valued, and how a lack of meaningful connection and understanding can leave a person feeling overlooked or alone. It was explained that if our teams are unable to truly connect with the people living in our care, it becomes far more difficult to understand what they need.
The Big Question
On the tables in the training room were a number of headbands with large question marks attached. We were encouraged to put them on and consider what they might represent. To me, they symbolised the idea that a person is only an ‘unknown’ until we take the time to ask the right questions and truly get to know them; they are, essentially, a big ‘question mark’ until we peel back the layers.
As I am still learning what it means for someone to be living with a Dementia, or on a cognitive journey, I had not considered that some people living in our care may not be able to tell us about themselves or their life history, and may also have no loved ones around them who are able to fill in those gaps for us.
Eve explained that, for some people, being asked multiple direct questions can leave them feeling confused or overwhelmed, causing them to shut down and struggle to respond.
We were also shown brain scans of people living with a Dementia, illustrating how brain cells shrink and die as the disease progresses, leaving parts of the brain darkened and permanently damaged. It was explained how this loss of brain function can affect cognition, including a person’s ability to problem solve, regulate emotions, communicate and make decisions.
What the question mark headbands actually represented was the experience of people living with a Dementia or cognitive condition that affects their ability to answer questions or express themselves in the way they once could, because parts of the brain are no longer functioning properly.
I found myself imagining what it might feel like to be asked multiple questions while being unable to connect memories, thoughts or experiences together clearly in my mind, and realised how confusing and frustrating that experience must be.
Because direct questioning may not always be the most effective way to connect with or understand our family members, a number of exercises had been designed to help team members adapt their approaches in more complex situations. The aim was to give people the confidence and tools to think creatively, work outside the box and find ways to ‘change the moment’ in order to create meaningful connection.
Image Association
The first exercise involved each table receiving a set of Q-cards, with every person given a card displaying a random image of a person, place or object. We were then asked to use the images to build a story together, connecting each card to the next as the conversation moved around the table.
For example, one of the cards showed people running a marathon, so I explained that from a young age I had always wanted to run long distance but had been held back by shin splints (which was actually true!) The next person’s card showed people dressed in military uniforms, so they continued the story by saying that, once they’d given up the dream of being a marathon runner, they had joined the army because they still wanted an active lifestyle, and the story carried on from there.
The purpose of the exercise was to respond to the previous person’s story and relate it to your own, using the images as inspiration while keeping the conversation connected. In practice, this could look like listening to a family member sharing memories or experiences and finding ways to relate to what they are saying, helping to create opportunities for further conversation, connection and trust.
A Bag of Stuff
In another exercise, bags containing five random objects were placed on each table. We were invited to take out one item at a time and create a story inspired by it with the rest of the group.
The exercise encouraged storytelling as a way of connecting with others, using everyday objects as a starting point for conversation. The stories could be personal memories, stories heard from others or completely imagined. What mattered most was the act of sharing and creating something engaging together.
Something as simple as picking up a beach towel and talking about a sunny holiday in Spain may encourage someone else to begin speaking about their own experiences of travelling, holidays or time spent with loved ones, bringing familiarity, comfort and positive emotions into the conversation.
These exercises really brought home to me how caring roles can give people the opportunity to use creativity in meaningful ways to build trust and connection. Alongside exploring ways to create connection, we also discussed the things that can cause people to disconnect or feel controlled rather than supported.
Dementia Language
In one corner of the room stood a series of mock walls spray painted with phrases such as ‘no’, ‘don’t do that’ and ‘not now’. We discussed how language like this can feel restrictive and, over time, may contribute to a person feeling a loss of independence, choice and autonomy. It was explained that, in some situations, constantly feeling controlled rather than supported can lead to distress and expressive behaviour.
Even when these things are said with the intention of keeping someone safe, they can still leave a person feeling emotionally unsafe by creating a sense of lost control. We explored how words, tone, touch, presence and attention can all shape the way a person experiences the world around them and how, when used negatively or without thought, they may leave a lasting emotional impact.
We explored how these same things can also be used positively to create an emotional shift and help someone feel reassured, calm and connected. This may be through using the right words in a gentle or friendly tone, meeting someone where they are in their journey and using language that makes sense to them. It may also be through touch, such as holding a person’s hand to show you are there with them rather than trying to direct or control them, or by lowering yourself to their level and creating a sense of reassurance and presence. Attention was also discussed in terms of truly getting to know the person and not losing sight of the identity behind the diagnosis.
Our care teams have the ability to influence the tone and energy of the day. While they may not always be able to control how someone presents in that moment, they can control their own response and the way they approach challenging situations.
Alongside the care provided by our teams, environment also plays a significant role in helping family members feel at home, comfortable and safe within the spaces around them.
The Importance of Environment
As a last exercise in the training, we were asked to explore an area of the training room where a number of simulated environments had been built. Bedrooms, living rooms and dining rooms were set up as examples of inviting and colourful environments that encouraged stimulation, alongside environments which felt uninviting, dull or institutional, to show the impact and importance of creating spaces that feel positive, homely, engaging and personal.
I recalled a similar exercise from the first training session I attended at the beginning of my role and found it fascinating that dining tables within the homes may have miscellaneous objects placed on them, such as puzzles, colouring books or memory cards, to encourage family members to interact with them and create opportunities for conversation and engagement.
These are tables set for more than just a meal. A soft toy, or a newspaper become something to pick up or look at while sitting down to eat. For those who take a little longer, or don’t always feel like eating, having something nearby to focus on and engage with can make all the difference.
And for people living with a Dementia or are on a cognitive journey, they may not always have the words, or no longer able to process and express the desire, to engage with an activity or task, but when they come across something in front of them, it may naturally spark curiosity, familiarity or engagement.
As someone who initially saw these dining tables as cluttered with objects unrelated to mealtimes, the way I now understand the dining experience has changed dramatically. It is not simply about eating a meal, but about creating opportunities for comfort, connection and engagement, just as all environments throughout the home should aim to do.
Speaking about the importance of creating a true sense of home, Eve shared, ‘We are not creating institutions, we are creating homes, places of safety, of creativity and hopefully magic.’
What I Took Away
I know there will always be more for me to learn about care and Dementia care. Leaders like Eve Carder and the wider clinical team have so much expertise and decades of experience that I cannot hope to gain just by attending a few training sessions.
What I have learned so far, however, has left me genuinely moved and inspired. The idea that, no matter where someone is on their cognitive or Dementia journey, there are still ways to connect with them; the challenge is simply finding out how to reach them.
To read more about training, learning and development provided by Evolve Care Group in their Evolve Care Academy, visit https://www.evolvecareacademy.com/
By Ayla Melville, Marketing and Communications Assistant at Evolve Care Group
Creed Foodservice launches Care Chef of the Year 2026 competition
One of the UK’s leading wholesalers - Creed Foodservice - has officially opened entries for its annual Care Chef of the Year competition, inviting chefs from across the UK care sector to showcase the talent, innovation and compassion that define professional care catering.
Now in its fourth year and firmly established as a highlight of the care catering calendar, the competition reflects Creed's long-standing commitment to the sector, where it has supported care providers for many years with specialist expertise, menu development and tailored foodservice solutions.
With more than 370,000 people living in care homes in England[1], mealtimes play a vital role in residents' health, wellbeing and quality of life. Beyond providing nutritious meals, care chefs create dining experiences that bring comfort, evoke memories and encourage social interaction. Creed’s Care Chef of the Year competition recognises the professionals whose skill and creativity make that possible every day.
This year's challenge invites chefs to create a two-course dining experience centred around the theme of ‘Movie Classics: Bringing iconic films to life through dining’. From elegant Hollywood glamour to seaside musicals, wartime favourites to world cinema, chefs are encouraged to create menus that spark conversation, evoke treasured memories and deliver unforgettable experiences for residents.
As well as flavour, presentation and technical skill, judges will be looking for creativity, resident engagement and an understanding of the unique nutritional and accessibility requirements of care catering.
Joseph Oliver, Business Development Chef at Creed Foodservice and one of the judges of the competition, said: “Every day, care chefs help enrich the lives of hundreds of thousands of care home residents across the UK. They combine nutritional expertise with creativity, compassion and a deep understanding of individual needs to deliver meals that are so much more than food. Through Creed’s Care Chef of the Year, we want to celebrate those professionals, recognise the exceptional standards being achieved across the sector and inspire even more innovation in care catering. Whether you've entered before or are considering it for the first time, we'd encourage every care chef to get involved and showcase the fantastic work they do.”
The competition is free to enter and open to all chefs working in UK care settings. Entrants are asked to submit their two-course menu (main and dessert), recipes, a description of their chosen theme and supporting photography. Six finalists will then be selected to compete in the live grand final, taking place on 21st October, where they will recreate their dishes and bring their themed dining experience to life. Joining Joseph Oliver on the judging panel are Johnny Hazell, co-Founder at CheckMate, a digital food safety app for the care sector, alongside Preston Walker and James Ball, co-Founders and Directors of OHK, specialist provider of IDDSI and dysphagia training and consultancy for the health and social care sector.
The winner will be crowned Creed Care Chef of the Year 2026, joining a growing community of chefs recognised for raising standards and championing excellence within care catering.
All finalists will be gifted personalised embroidered chef whites and a prize for achieving a place at the finale. The winner will receive the coveted Creed Care Chef of the Year Trophy and a chef knife forging experience.
Entries are now open and close on 31st August. For the full competition details, entry requirements and deadlines please visit: https://about.creedfoodservice.co.uk/care-chef-of-the-year-competition/
£5,000 prize up for grabs as Care Sector's Got Talent returns with biggest-ever search for social care's hidden stars
Competition opens to everyone working across social care as organisers aim to celebrate the sector's talent and change perceptions of care
Care Sectors Got Talent 2025Care Sector's Got Talent is back for 2026 with its biggest-ever prize fund, a brand-new stage at the Care Show and a call for everyone working across social care to step into the spotlight.
Run by Championing Social Care, the much-loved competition is inviting entries from across the social care workforce – from care home and home care teams to supported living services, day centres and community care. Frontline carers, nurses, administrators, receptionists, chefs, housekeepers, maintenance teams, office staff, volunteers and suppliers are all encouraged to enter, either as individuals or groups.
This year's competition offers its largest prize fund to date, with £5,000 in cash awarded to the winner to spend however they choose, while the runner-up will receive a £1,000 talent development fund to invest in lessons, coaching or equipment to help take their talent to the next level.
The 2026 Grand Final will take place on 7 October at the Care Show at Birmingham NEC, bringing Care Sector's Got Talent to one of the UK's biggest social care events. With thousands of care professionals expected to attend, finalists will perform in front of the sector's largest live audience yet, giving even more people the opportunity to celebrate the creativity, diversity and extraordinary talent that exists throughout social care.
Organisers hope this year's expanded competition will attract more entries than ever before by reaching every corner of the sector and reminding people that whatever their role, they are a talented and valued part of the social care community.
Whether it's singing, dancing, comedy, magic, spoken word, instrumental music or an unexpected hidden talent, Care Sector's Got Talent is about celebrating the people behind social care and showcasing the passion, creativity and personality that exists beyond the day job.
Nye Brown, Co-Chair of Care Sector's Got Talent and CEO of Hallmark Luxury Care Homes, said: "Social care is full of incredible people whose talents often go unseen outside their workplace. Care Sector's Got Talent gives us the chance to celebrate those individuals, while showing the wider public a different side of our sector – one that's creative, diverse, compassionate and full of extraordinary people. Every performer who takes to the stage helps challenge perceptions of social care, and we can't wait to discover this year's hidden stars."
Angela Boxall, Co-Chair of Care Sector's Got Talent, Chair of Care England and CEO of Majesticare, added: "Care Sector's Got Talent is a celebration of the people who make social care extraordinary. It doesn't matter whether you're delivering care in someone's home, working in a care home, supporting people in the community or keeping services running behind the scenes – if you're part of social care, this stage is for you. Hosting the final at the Care Show will make this our biggest celebration yet, giving thousands of people the chance to come together and celebrate the incredible people who make social care such a special profession."
Last year's winner, saxophonist Oladayo Ojekanmi, has gone on to perform at care sector events across the country, demonstrating how Care Sector's Got Talent can open new opportunities while shining a spotlight on the remarkable people working across social care. He says: "It was truly an incredible journey from the auditions to the grand finale. The organisation, support and professionalism throughout the competition made the experience both memorable and inspiring."
Entries are now open and close on 21 August 2026. Applicants should submit a two-minute video showcasing their talent via the Championing Social Care website: https://www.championingsocialcare.org.uk/care-sectors-got-talent/register/
Whether you're a solo performer, part of a choir, dance troupe, band or workplace group, Care Sector's Got Talent wants to hear from you.
Westgate Healthcare Qualified to Deliver Specialist Dementia Dining Training
Westgate Healthcare has strengthened its dementia care training programme after becoming one of only three UK care providers authorised to deliver Dining Immersive Experiential Training (DIET) in-house.
The milestone follows the qualification of Westgate Healthcare’s Group Training Manager, Maria Fagen, as a facilitator for the DIET programme, developed by Training2Care.
The training helps care teams better understand the challenges people living with dementia can experience during mealtimes, including changes in perception, sensory processing, coordination and cognition. Using specialist sensory equipment, colleagues are guided through a simulated dining experience to help them experience first-hand how eating and drinking can become confusing, frustrating or overwhelming for residents living with dementia.
Westgate Healthcare has now embedded DIET training into its three-day induction programme, alongside the Virtual Dementia Experience, another immersive Training2Care programme completed by Maria earlier this year.
This means every new colleague joining Westgate Healthcare will experience both forms of specialist dementia training from the beginning of their career with the organisation, supporting a culture of empathy, understanding and person-led care from day one.
Maria said: “Delivering outstanding dementia care starts with understanding the person behind the diagnosis.
“The DIET programme is incredibly powerful because it allows people to experience just how challenging something as simple as eating and drinking can become. By introducing this training into our programme, every colleague begins their journey with greater empathy, confidence and understanding.
“I’m incredibly proud that Westgate Healthcare is one of only three organisations able to deliver this training internally, allowing us to continually develop our teams and ultimately improve the lives of our residents.”
Maintaining good nutrition and hydration can be one of the greatest challenges for people living with dementia. Westgate Healthcare says the training is designed to help colleagues make meaningful changes to mealtime support, with the aim of improving residents’ nutritional intake, wellbeing and overall quality of care.
A spokesperson for Training2Care said: “The Virtual Dementia Tour, DIET and Dementia Interpreters courses enable people to understand dementia in a way that simply isn’t possible through traditional training methods.
“Rather than just increasing knowledge, these programmes develop empathy, challenge perceptions and empower people to make meaningful changes that improve the lives of those affected by dementia.
“Westgate Healthcare has demonstrated a genuine commitment to investing in its people and, ultimately, in the quality of care it provides. By embracing innovative learning experiences, it is helping to create a workforce that is better equipped to deliver compassionate, person-led care.
“We are incredibly proud to partner with Westgate Healthcare and support its commitment to excellence. We look forward to seeing the continued impact of the DIET programme as even more colleagues develop the knowledge, confidence and understanding needed to make a real difference to the lives of people with dementia.”
The move forms part of Westgate Healthcare’s wider commitment to investing in pioneering dementia education and staff development.
By bringing nationally recognised immersive training programmes in-house, the care provider aims to ensure colleagues across the organisation have the skills, confidence and compassion to support residents living with dementia.
Beating the Heat: Why Staff Uniform Comfort Matters in Care Homes
In this article, Alsico explores how rising temperatures bring staff comfort into sharper focus, from uniform design to menopause considerations, and why small changes can make a meaningful difference to wellbeing and performance.
As temperatures rise across the UK, care providers are once again preparing for the challenges that warmer weather can bring. While much of the focus is understandably on supporting residents, summer can also highlight the conditions experienced by the people delivering that care every day.
Care homes are unique working environments. Maintained at warmer temperatures to support residents, they can become challenging workplaces during hotter periods. For care workers carrying out physically demanding roles involving long shifts, constant movement and hands-on care, these conditions can place additional strain on comfort and wellbeing.
Our research into the experiences of UK care workers highlighted several factors influencing day-to-day working life, including comfort, workplace support and uniform suitability. One of the clearest findings was the link between comfort and performance, with 58% of respondents saying the fit of their uniform affects how well they can carry out their role.
While uniforms may seem like a relatively small part of the working environment, the findings suggest they can have a meaningful impact on everyday experiences. During warmer weather, when staff may already be working in challenging conditions, issues relating to comfort and freedom of movement can become more noticeable.
For care workers, discomfort is rarely limited to a single issue. Long shifts spent moving between residents, assisting with mobility and carrying out physical tasks can become more demanding when clothing feels restrictive or contributes to overheating. What feels manageable during cooler months can become a greater challenge as temperatures rise.
Warmer conditions can also present challenges for employees experiencing menopause symptoms. Given that the care sector employs a predominantly female workforce, this is an important consideration for many providers. Our research found that 68% of respondents who had experienced menopause symptoms at work said their uniform did not help them cool down following a hot flush, while 63% said it did not prevent them from becoming sweaty or uncomfortable.
Comfort is not simply about clothing. It is also about understanding the realities of the role and supporting staff to perform at their best. Whether through regular feedback, reviewing workplace processes or evaluating the suitability of equipment and uniforms, small adjustments can make a significant difference to everyday working life.
As care providers continue to focus on workforce wellbeing and retention, warmer weather offers an opportunity to revisit these conversations. Frontline staff can provide insight into where improvements may be needed and the practical challenges employees face.
Care workers spend every shift supporting the wellbeing of others. Ensuring they feel comfortable and supported remains an important part of creating positive working environments.
For more insights into workforce wellbeing, uniform innovation and supporting care teams, visit: www.alsico.co.uk
Inside The Chartwellion: A Shop Built and Run by Care Home Residents
Finding meaningful, purposeful activity for residents remains one of the more persistent challenges in care home life, particularly for those living with dementia. Generic activity schedules can only go so far; the real value often lies in giving residents genuine roles, responsibility and a reason to feel useful. Chartwell Care Home in Broadstairs has taken that principle and built an entire enterprise around it.
The home has opened The Chartwellion, a shop conceived, stocked and run by residents themselves. It opened on 7 July 2026 following a period of consultation in which residents shaped every aspect of what the shop sells and how it operates.
From an observation to an enterprise
The idea began with something simple: residents enjoyed trips to the nearby Westwood Cross Shopping Centre but wanted the same independence and convenience without leaving home. The Chartwellion answers that directly, stocking items residents asked for, including stamps, greetings cards, gifts, confectionery, toiletries and personal care products. The range continues to evolve as residents give feedback on what they'd like to see next.
Even the name has resident fingerprints on it. Chartwellion nods to the lions of Chartwell, and resident Peter marked the occasion by painting a canvas lion that now sits at the heart of the shop.
Residents in charge, not just involved
What distinguishes The Chartwellion from a typical on-site amenity is who runs it. Supported by Chartwell House's Life Enrichment Team, residents serve customers, handle purchases, organise stock and manage the shop's daily running themselves.
For several residents, this taps into real history. A number previously worked in customer-facing roles, including retail and the Post Office, and the shop gives them a chance to reconnect with skills and routines that are genuinely familiar to them. For residents living with dementia, this kind of purposeful, role-based activity can be particularly powerful. The Alzheimer's Society's research points to the wellbeing value of maintaining familiar routines and engaging in meaningful activity, including stronger self-esteem, reduced isolation and improved overall wellbeing.
Taryn, Head of Lifestyle and Wellbeing at Chartwell House, explains why the shop has resonated so strongly: "The Chartwellion is much more than a shop. It's about giving residents choice, purpose and ownership. Every product on the shelves has been selected because our residents told us they wanted it there, and many of our residents now play an active role in running the shop. For those living with dementia, familiar routines such as serving customers or organising stock can spark wonderful conversations and memories from earlier in life. Seeing residents take pride in welcoming customers and supporting one another has been incredibly rewarding."
Resident Beryl sums up what the shop means day to day: "I think it's a wonderful idea. It's lovely to be able to pop into the shop whenever we need something, and it's even nicer knowing that we've helped create it. It feels like our own little community shop."
Part of a wider wellbeing framework
The Chartwellion sits within Chartwell House's Life Enrichment Programme, structured around six principles: Contribute, Grow, Reflect, Feel, Move and Connect. Rather than a standalone initiative, it reflects an approach favoured across Boutique Care Homes more broadly: listening closely to what residents want and giving them the means to build it themselves.
For other providers considering similar projects, the lesson isn't necessarily the shop format itself, but the process behind it — starting from what residents actually ask for, then handing over real responsibility rather than simply offering supervised participation. It's a distinction that can make the difference between an activity residents attend and one they genuinely own.
A Game of 64 Squares
Chess is gaining traction in care homes as a powerful tool for cognitive stimulation and social connection. In this feature, Mark Rivlin shares his perspective on the game’s growing role in later life, speaking on behalf of Chess in Schools and Communities and its “Older and Bolder” initiative.
Chess might not be the first activity that comes to mind in a busy care home environment, but that is beginning to change. Once seen as a quiet pastime for enthusiasts, the game is experiencing a resurgence across the UK and is increasingly finding a natural home in care settings.
For providers navigating the ongoing challenge of delivering meaningful, low-cost, and inclusive activities, chess offers a compelling proposition. It is easy to introduce, adaptable to different cognitive and physical abilities, and uniquely positioned to support both wellbeing and social engagement.
A growing movement
The renewed popularity of chess has been driven by a combination of cultural and digital influences. Online platforms have made the game more accessible than ever, while mainstream media has helped reposition it as both aspirational and inclusive. Crucially, this momentum is no longer limited to younger audiences.
Organisations such as Chess in Schools and Communities (CSC) are now actively extending their reach into older populations. With over two decades of experience delivering chess programmes in schools and community settings, the charity has launched its “Older and Bolder” initiative, specifically designed to bring chess into care homes.
The programme builds on successful pilots across the country, from structured courses in partnership with Age UK in Brighton, to community-based sessions in Westminster and Bracknell. These initiatives have demonstrated that, with the right support, chess can engage both complete beginners and experienced players later in life.
More than just a game
At its core, chess is a cognitively stimulating activity. It requires concentration, memory, planning, and decision-making: all skills that are highly relevant to maintaining mental agility in older age.
Emerging research supports this; studies on cognitively stimulating leisure activities suggest they may help reduce the risk of developing conditions such as dementia. While chess is not a preventative solution in isolation, it forms part of a broader toolkit of activities that can contribute to brain health.
Importantly for care settings, chess also appears to remain accessible even as cognitive decline progresses. There is evidence to suggest that individuals living with advanced dementia can retain the ability to engage with the game, offering a rare opportunity for continuity and familiarity.
Beyond cognition, the social dimension of chess is equally valuable. Whether played one-to-one or in a small group, it creates natural opportunities for interaction, conversation, and shared experience. In environments where loneliness and isolation remain ongoing concerns, this should not be underestimated.
A personal perspective
For many, chess is not just an activity but a lifelong companion. Mark Rivlin describes a personal connection that spans decades: “I was introduced to the game of chess at the age of five. My father was a strong player and taught me the moves. Now at the age of seventy, I have notched up six decades of playing the game… Win, lose or draw, I enjoy the challenge of playing against people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.”
This intergenerational appeal is part of what makes chess particularly suited to care environments. It can bridge gaps between residents, staff, and even visiting family members, creating a shared language that transcends age and background.
Rivlin also highlights the game’s accessibility: “Chess is easy to learn, enjoy and succeed, and most importantly, it is great fun to play.”
That simplicity is key. Unlike some activities that require extensive setup, specialised equipment, or significant staffing resources, chess can be introduced at minimal cost and with minimal space.
Practical implementation in care homes
For activity coordinators, the question is not whether chess has value, but how easily it can be embedded into an already busy programme.
The answer, in most cases, is straightforward.
A basic setup requires only a small number of boards and pieces, all of which can be easily stored. Sessions can be run informally, allowing residents to drop in and play at their own pace, or in more structured formats for those who prefer guided learning.
CSC’s “Older and Bolder” programme offers additional support, including trained tutors, teaching materials, and staff training. This can be particularly beneficial in homes where there is limited prior experience of delivering chess-based activities.
There is also scope to build variety into the programme. Mini tournaments, themed activity days, or even friendly matches with local schools or community groups can help sustain engagement over time. For residents with digital access, online platforms offer further opportunities to play and improve skills.
Inclusive by design
One of chess’s greatest strengths is its adaptability. It can be simplified for beginners, paced according to individual ability, and even adapted for those with visual or physical impairments through specialist boards and pieces.
This makes it an inclusive option within diverse resident populations. Whether someone is encountering the game for the first time or returning to it after many years, there is a clear entry point.
A strategic addition
As care providers continue to rethink activity provision in response to changing expectations, chess represents a low-risk, high-impact addition.
It aligns with key priorities across the sector: supporting cognitive health, encouraging social interaction, and delivering meaningful engagement without placing undue strain on resources.
Perhaps most importantly, it brings an element of challenge and purpose. On a board of 64 squares, every move matters, and for residents, that sense of agency and involvement can be powerful.
Rivlin describes chess as “a magical chessboard” with “thousands of options for attack, defense, and even making mistakes”. This mix of challenge, enjoyment, and human connection is what makes chess a meaningful activity in care home environments.
Dedicated Luxury Care Apartments Launched to Halt ‘Forced Separation’ of Couples in Care
Family care provider Ardale has announced the launch of The Ashridge Apartments at Welwyn Grange, a collection of purpose-designed care suites created to support couples who wish to continue living together while receiving personalised care.
Comprising 13 penthouse-style care suites, the apartments provide couples with the opportunity to maintain shared routines and enjoy greater privacy and independence, while benefiting from access to tailored care and nursing support as their individual needs evolve.
The launch reflects the challenges many couples face when one partner's care needs become more complex. Differences in health needs, such as when one partner develops dementia while the other requires minimal support, can make finding suitable accommodation difficult. The Ashridge Apartments have been designed to provide an option for couples who want to remain together while each receiving the level of support they need.
A Home Designed for Couples
Located on the top floor of Welwyn Grange, The Ashridge Apartments combine independent living with access to 24/7 nurse-led care. Residents have their own private accommodation while remaining connected to the wider care community and professional support whenever required.
Key Features of The Ashridge Apartments
- Private apartment layouts: Each penthouse-style suite includes a separate bedroom, private lounge, kitchenette, and most feature a private balcony.
- 24/7 clinical support: Residents have access to an on-site nursing and care team, with support tailored to each person's individual needs.
- Shared amenities: Couples can enjoy Welwyn Grange's facilities, including a cinema room, hair and beauty salon, bar/café, interactive digital touch table and landscaped courtyard garden.
- All-inclusive fees: A single monthly fee covers care, meals, laundry, utilities and security.
"For many couples, moving into care can bring understandable concerns about whether they will be able to continue living together as their needs change.
"The Ashridge Apartments have been designed to offer couples a home where they can continue sharing everyday life while receiving flexible care that can adapt to each person's individual requirements.
"By bringing together private living space with access to round-the-clock support, we hope to provide reassurance for couples and their families as care needs evolve."
Robert Myers, Head of Care Pathways at Welwyn Grange
Jayne Connery, Founder of Care Campaign for the Vulnerable, welcomed the initiative, saying:
"I have visited Ardale care homes many times over the years through my work with Care Campaign for the Vulnerable, and I have always been impressed by their commitment to transparency, safety, dignity and truly person-centred care.
"The new Ashridge Apartments at Welwyn Grange are a wonderful example of thinking differently about later life. Too many older couples face the heartbreaking prospect of being separated when one partner's care needs become more complex, particularly following a dementia diagnosis or the need for nursing care.
"It is encouraging to see the Ashridge Apartments offering couples the opportunity to remain together while receiving the care and support they each need, with privacy, independence and 24-hour nursing available whenever required.
"At Care Campaign for the Vulnerable, we believe safety, dignity and quality care must always go hand in hand with compassion. Love, familiarity, routine and the comfort of remaining together are just as important to wellbeing."
The Ashridge Apartments are now open for viewings and immediate occupancy. Couples, families and healthcare professionals interested in learning more can explore the apartment layouts and arrange a viewing via Welwyn Grange.