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.
A Day of Fun and Community Spirit at Cooperscroft and Cuffley Manors Annual Children’s Carnival
Cooperscroft and Cuffley Manor were delighted to welcome more than 300 visitors from the local community to their annual complimentary Children’s Carnival on Saturday 20 June, with the event proving to be a tremendous success.
Families, friends, residents and visitors came together to enjoy a day packed with entertainment, laughter and memorable experiences. The carnival featured a wide range of attractions, including a delicious BBQ, talented face painters and a popular petting corner, where children had the opportunity to meet and interact with lambs, baby goats, budgies and rabbits.
A special highlight of the day was a visit from Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty, who delighted children and families with photo opportunities throughout the event.
Adding to the excitement, a captivating magician and spectacular circus performers entertained audiences of all ages, helping to create a vibrant and joyful atmosphere from start to finish.
The Children’s Carnival provided a wonderful opportunity for residents, their families and members of the wider community to spend quality time together while celebrating the strong community spirit that lies at the heart of Cooperscroft and Cuffley Manor.
Dawn Cawley a spokesperson for Cooperscroft and Cuffley Manor said:
“We were thrilled to welcome so many people to this year’s Children’s Carnival. Seeing families, residents and members of the local community come together to enjoy such a fantastic day was truly heartwarming. Events like these are an important part of building connections, creating happy memories and supporting the well-being of our residents.”
Both homes would like to extend their sincere thanks to everyone who attended and helped make the event such a success. Special thanks are also given to those who made generous donations in support of the Royal British Legion.
The day was a shining example of what can be achieved through teamwork, kindness and community spirit, and Cooperscroft and Cuffley Manor look forward to hosting many more events in the future, bringing residents, families and the wider community together for even more fun, connection and lasting memories.
Subin Veetti, Home Manager at Cooperscroft, said:
"I am incredibly proud of my team for delivering this event with such care and attention to detail. Seeing our residents enjoy a wonderful family day was truly rewarding, and the support from the wider community made the occasion even more special."
Stories of Care: Kevin Humphrys, CEO, Oakland Care Group
Kevin Humphrys did not set out to work in social care. There was no calling, no long-held ambition, no carefully mapped career plan. In his words, he “fell into care accidentally”. And yet, his story is one that deserves the attention of anyone in management, leadership or operations who has ever wondered whether their skills could be used for something more meaningful.
Before social care, Kevin’s career was firmly rooted in what he describes as “generic management”: banking, recruitment, HR, operations. He had a knack for fixing things that weren’t working, stepping into struggling organisations and turning them around. He was good at it. But over time, something began to feel hollow.
“I reached a point where I realised I was essentially making more money for people who already had plenty.”
That realisation stayed with him. So when an opportunity arose to apply those same skills within social care, the shift was profound. Suddenly, the work had meaning. It mattered. And once he made that transition, he never looked back.
A baptism of fire
Kevin’s route into care was shaped not by a single defining moment, but by a chain of events that unfolded quickly and decisively. In 2010, he had just completed a successful turnaround project in the Home Information Pack industry. Then, overnight, everything changed. On its first day in office, the newly formed coalition government suspended the mandatory requirement for HIPs. An entire industry was effectively switched off.
Kevin went into work, made the whole team redundant – including himself – turned off the lights, and walked out.
Not long after, a trustee from a charity providing respite care for unpaid family carers got in touch. The charity was haemorrhaging money and on the brink of collapse. They asked Kevin if he could help.
He agreed to come in for six weeks to write a business change plan. Six weeks turned into something much bigger. At the end of the process, he was asked if he would consider applying for the role of Chief Executive to implement it.
At that point, Kevin knew nothing about social care. What he did know was business. He applied anyway – and got the job.
“That was my baptism of fire. I learned an enormous amount, very quickly.”
The charity survived. It still exists today. And Kevin is still in touch with its trustees. More importantly, something fundamental shifted for him during that period. For the first time in his career, he felt he was using his skills for something that genuinely mattered.
Learning the sector from the ground up
Kevin has now spent around sixteen years in social care. After his initial role in the charity sector, he made a deliberate decision to broaden his experience across different parts of the system. He wanted to understand the sector properly – not just from the boardroom, but from the ground up.
He joined Allied Healthcare to see how a large national provider operated, then took on interim roles across acquired brain injury services, learning disabilities, autism, domiciliary care, rehabilitation, and dementia care. Along the way, he became a registered manager, operations director, regional director, and eventually CEO of Oakland Care Group in 2022. He also serves as a Director of West Sussex Partners in Care.
He’s picked up fellowships and qualifications – including Fellowship of the Chartered Management Institute and the Institute of Leadership – but he’s clear where the real education came from.
“You can’t lead effectively in this sector without understanding what happens on the floor.”
What keeps him going
Ask Kevin what motivates him day to day, and the answer comes without hesitation: the residents.
Everything else, he says – regulation, funding pressures, politics – is noise.
“What matters is whether the people in our care are living well, with dignity and purpose.”
If he ever loses sight of that, he knows it will be time to step back and reassess.
He’s also driven by transformation. Social care, in his view, is a sector full of misaligned parts: fragmented funding, inconsistent regulation, workforce pressures, and a public misunderstanding of what care actually is and why it matters. Kevin thrives on taking something that’s struggling and rebuilding it properly.
Not quick fixes. Not surface-level improvements. But sustainable change.
“Each small improvement compounds. Better systems mean more time with residents. More time with residents means better outcomes. Better outcomes create more motivated teams. The cycle reinforces itself.”
Transformation at Oakland Care Group
When Kevin joined Oakland Care Group, much of the organisation’s operation was still manual and paper-based. Administrative tasks were absorbing time that should have been spent with residents.
Over the past few years, that’s changed dramatically. Oakland has implemented integrated technology across the organisation, including AI-assisted care planning and falls prevention systems. The aim was never innovation for its own sake.
“It was about freeing people up to do what they came into care to do.”
The results have gone beyond efficiency. The culture has shifted. Residents feel genuinely cared for. Team members feel valued and experience real job satisfaction.
“That’s the transformation I set out to achieve – not just better operations, but a place people want to work, caring for people who truly feel cared for.”
Leading through humility
One of the biggest lessons Kevin learned in his move from commercial sectors into care was humility. In previous roles, he was used to being the expert in the room. In social care, that approach didn’t work.
“I had to learn to listen – to practitioners, to residents, to families.”
Leadership, he realised, isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating the conditions where others can do their best work.
He’s also clear-eyed about the wider challenges the sector faces. Operational improvements matter, but they don’t address the deeper issue: chronic underfunding and public misunderstanding.
“There’s a perception that care providers are making huge profits. The reality is that 85% of us are SMEs operating on razor-thin margins.”
Changing that narrative – and showing the direct link between underfunded social care and pressure on the NHS – is, in his view, as important as anything happening inside individual organisations.
Culture as the proudest achievement
When asked about his proudest moment in care, Kevin doesn’t point to a specific award or milestone. He talks about people.
“When I see managers making decisions that prioritise residents over convenience, when I see practitioners advocating fiercely for the people they support – that’s the achievement. Culture is everything.”
That culture shows up in small, human moments every day: residents enjoying activities, families expressing gratitude, colleagues quietly going above and beyond. Kevin makes a conscious effort to notice and acknowledge those moments, even amid the inevitable problems and pressures.
Technology, trust, and time
One story he shares captures the essence of how thoughtful change can transform daily working life. Oakland recently introduced an AI system to support care plan composition. What once took over four hours now takes around twenty to thirty minutes, most of which is spent reviewing and refining rather than drafting from scratch.
One team member was deeply sceptical at first – a self-described technophobe, proud of their expertise and wary of change. Kevin worked closely with them, showing how the system could enhance, not replace, their skill.
Now, that same person is one of the strongest advocates for using AI in care planning.
“What changed was time. They’re now able to spend more of it with residents – and you can see that reflected in even more person-centred care plans.”
Seeing people first
For Kevin, great care work always comes back to one thing: seeing the person.
“You can teach competencies. You can’t teach genuine care about another person’s life.”
Over the years, his perspective has shifted. He’s become more patient with people and less tolerant of excuses. Early in his career, he focused heavily on systems and processes. Now, he understands that culture matters more.
Language matters too. How the sector talks about itself shapes how it’s valued.
“We should be calling ourselves what we are: care professionals. That signals there’s a career here, not just a job.”
A life beyond the boardroom
There’s another side to Kevin that often surprises people. Alongside his role as CEO, he is an ordained priest in the Church of England. Ordained in 2000, he has served as Associate Vicar of St Michael & All Angels in Brighton since 2019.
For him, the two roles are deeply connected.
“Both are about people – their dignity, their struggles, their need to feel valued.”
The pastoral nature of ministry has shaped his leadership style, just as his experience in care has informed how he serves his parish. They are not separate paths, but complementary ones.
Why care still matters
Care is hard work, Kevin is honest about that. It’s not always well paid, and it’s rarely easy. But it offers something many jobs don’t.
“You go home knowing you’ve made a difference to someone’s day – sometimes to their life.”
And for those starting out in the sector, his advice is simple:
“Ask questions. Stay curious. And never forget why you’re here. It’s not about the paperwork – it’s about the person in front of you.”
How Meadowbrook’s ‘art circle’ is helping residents create and connect
Michelle Humphreys, General Manager at Meadowbrook Care Home, explores the power of art to help residents connect with each other and the wider community.
The same time every month at Meadowbrook care home, the corridors come alive with colour. Residents who until last year may never have picked up a paint brush before start filling the walls with remarkable landscapes, folk art, and abstract compositions – all of them produced by our very own resident ‘art circle’.
When our community artist Debbie Miles began regular art classes in January, none of us expected how much hidden talent she would discover. Over the past six months residents have created some truly remarkable pieces inspired by Bishop’s Stortford and the surrounding area.
Indeed, the quality of the work was so high that in April we hosted a dedicated auction in partnership with Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers, which showcased the residents’ work to the wider community. The event raised £732 for Grove Cottage Bishop’s Stortford, while several pieces were bought by residents so they could remain part of life at Meadowbrook.
This experience reinforced something we have long believed: that art can be a vital form of self-expression in care settings, especially for older adults with decades of experience, memory and feeling to draw on when approaching the canvas.
Art as connection
Part of the reason art can be so powerful in care is that it gives people a shared focus: something to make, discuss and return to together.
The evidence backs this up. The World Health Organization, drawing on more than 3,000 studies, has found that engaging in the arts can help with prevention, health promotion and the management of illness. Arts Council England also highlights the role of creativity in supporting wellbeing, including through arts participation delivered in community and care settings.
This is important, as social isolation remains one of the biggest challenges facing older people. Age UK has warned that nearly a million older people in the UK often feel lonely, and that this could rise to 1.2 million people over 65 in England by 2034 if action is not taken.
Creative activity can help bridge this gap. A study published in Working with Older People found that creative ageing projects can increase social interaction and help tackle isolation among older people, including those in care homes and supported living settings.
Art as communication
Art can also provide an important route for self-expression, particularly when words are difficult to find. The British Association of Art Therapists describes art therapy as a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as a primary mode of expression and communication. This makes it especially useful in later-life care, where some residents may experience changes in memory, speech, confidence or emotional processing.
For residents living with dementia, this can be especially important. As the condition progresses, they may struggle to explain how they feel, recall recent events, or follow longer conversations. It therefore becomes crucial to find other ways to support communication – whether through colour, texture, image, music or other forms of creative expression.
The evidence supports this approach. A pilot study published in Frontiers in Psychology tested an art-based intervention for people living with Alzheimer’s disease, using visual art and colour-based activities to support emotional expression and engagement. While small in scale, the study found improvements in neuropsychiatric symptoms, suggesting that structured art-making can be a useful non-pharmacological tool in dementia care.
Art as community engagement
Art therapy also fits into the wider principle of social prescribing, which recognises that wellbeing is shaped not only by clinical care, but by a person’s relationships, routines, and sense of belonging. The National Academy for Social Prescribing identifies arts and cultural activities – including classes, gallery visits and music groups – as practical ways to connect people with meaningful community networks.
For older people, this is particularly important given how closely social connection is tied to our sense of confidence and independence. Creative activities can provide a route into shared experience: a reason to leave your bedroom, take part in a group, and challenge yourself to produce something that feels both meaningful and personal.
For care homes, the lesson is clear: meaningful activity should not stop at the front door. Indeed, The Baring Foundation argues that arts and culture should be embedded more systematically across the care sector. Social prescribing offers a practical model for this, helping homes build links with local artists, galleries and community groups so residents remain a vital part of the cultural life of the town.
Bringing it home
At Meadowbrook, what began as simple monthly art sessions has steadily blossomed into a full resident-led art circle connecting residents with each another, our team, and the wider community. For us, this has shown that art in care is not just an activity. Done well, it can help residents express themselves, build confidence and share parts of their lives that might otherwise remain unseen.
Nor does this talented group show any sign of stopping. Later this year, we are in talks with a local art gallery to create an entire exhibition dedicated to works produced by the art circle. This would give residents’ creativity a more visible place in the town’s cultural life and help show the wider community what older people in care continue to create and contribute.
For us, the lesson is simple: art in care is not only about what appears on the canvas. It is about what the process can reveal – a memory, a preference, a sense of humour, or a part of someone’s story that might otherwise be missed. When we take the time to notice those things, we provide care that is more personal and more human.
Hastings Care Home Workers Raise Over £500 for Cancer Research UK
Staff members at Ponbay Lodge care home in Hastings raised £575 during the Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life.
Donned in pink, Wendy Bennett (Lifestyle Assistant) and Mandy Dawson (Care Assistant) completed the 3K race, while Graham Liley (Chef) completed a 5K race in support of breast cancer research.
Supporting their own, Ponbay Lodge residents and team members decorated the home with balloons and bunting to cheer the trio on.
Care Assistant Wendy said, “I have friends and family who have been affected by cancer, so doing the Race for Life means a lot to me. It was a challenge for me, but I’m so happy I did it.
“Next year, I plan to beat my time and raise even more money for Cancer Research UK. Thank you to everyone who donated and offered support!”
Zac Hampshire-Jones, the General Manager at Ponbay Lodge, added, “Everyone at Ponbay Lodge is incredibly proud of Wendy, Mandy, and Graham. They have raised an amazing amount of money for Cancer Research UK, a life-saving charity.”
You can find out more about charity initiatives and community work at Ponbay Lodge during the home’s weekly Tea on Tuesday event, where all are welcome from 10:30AM to enjoy refreshments and freshly baked treats with the residents. Tea on Tuesday takes place at Ponbay Lodge on The Ridge, Hastings, TN34 2AE.
Age UK Wigan Borough pilot community storytelling programme Memory Makers
Community Story Hub CIC has announced a new partnership with Age UK Wigan Borough to pilot a six-week community storytelling programme designed to help older people share memories, strengthen connection and preserve local lived experience.
The pilot will be delivered through Memory Makers, one of Community Story Hub’s core storytelling initiatives, and will use the StoryHub app to support gentle, guided conversations with older people across the borough.
Running under the project title Every Natter Matters, the pilot will bring the Memory Makers initiative into four Age UK Wigan Borough groups over a six-week period. Through themed conversations, simple prompts and supported story sessions, participants will be invited to share memories, reflections and everyday stories in a relaxed and meaningful way.
The partnership builds on shared values around identity, connection and reducing loneliness, with both organisations focused on creating opportunities for older people to feel heard, valued and included.
The pilot will be led by Community Story Hub, with Age UK Wigan Borough volunteers observing and supporting sessions as part of an early Story Guide development element. This will help explore how the model could be sustained, adapted or developed further in future across Age UK Wigan Borough’s community work.
Unlike a formal interview, Every Natter Matters is based around light-touch, natural conversation. The StoryHub app provides gentle prompts and simple story pathways, helping facilitators guide conversations without making participants feel put on the spot.
The pilot will explore how storytelling can be used across different parts of Age UK Wigan Borough’s work, including friendship groups, lunch clubs and dementia-friendly settings. It will also look at the potential for family and legacy story capture, helping individuals and families preserve memories, voices and personal stories in a dignified and accessible way.
As well as capturing memories of the past, the project will also encourage present-day reflections on belonging, identity, community and what matters now. In doing so, the pilot aims to build a richer picture of local life across Wigan Borough, told through the voices of the people who have lived it.
Founder of Community Story Hub, Gareth Williams, said: “This partnership feels like a very natural fit. Age UK Wigan Borough does so much to support identity, connection and community, and the Memory Makers initiative is built around exactly that - giving people the space to talk, reflect and be heard.
“Every Natter Matters is not about putting people on the spot or creating polished content. It is about gentle prompts, proper listening and capturing the small moments that often carry the real story of a person, a family or a place.
“Through the StoryHub app, we can support those conversations in a simple, structured way, while still keeping the human connection at the heart of everything. Over the six weeks, we want to learn what works, what people respond to and how this kind of storytelling can support wellbeing, belonging and connection in a really practical way.”
David Germain, CEO & Charity Lead at Age UK Wigan Borough, added: “There is a real alignment between Community Story Hub and the work we do at Age UK Wigan Borough. Much of our focus is on reducing loneliness, supporting older people to remain connected to their communities, and ensuring people feel valued and heard as they age.
“We know conversations matter. Often, behind every older person is a lifetime of experiences, resilience and stories that have helped shape Wigan Borough as we know it today. Those stories are not always captured in official records; they live within our communities and deserve to be heard.
“Initiatives like Every Natter Matters create opportunities not only to preserve local history, but to build confidence, connection, and purpose in the present. If we are serious about tackling loneliness and promoting wellbeing, creating spaces where people can share experiences and feel listened to has real value. I’m pleased Age UK Wigan Borough can be part of a pilot that brings together storytelling, community connection, and healthier ageing.”
The six-week pilot began in May, with more than 100 Age UK Wigan Borough community members expected to take part in the programme.
For more information about Community Story Hub, visit memory-makers.org or to learn more about Age UK Wigan Borough, visit www.ageuk.org.uk/wiganborough/.
BARCHESTER HEALTHCARE RAISES OVER £64,000 FOR CHARITY
For the fifth consecutive year, colleagues from Barchester Healthcare’s care homes and hospitals have tackled the Tour de Barchester, a gruelling 200 mile cycling challenge, all in the name of charity. Their aim was to raise money for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation which supports older people and other adults living with a disability or a mental health condition by helping them to connect or re-connect with others in their local communities.
Over four days in May a team of care home workers, suppliers and directors cycled across Barchester’s North East & Scotland Division from Thurso to Glasgow via Inverness, Dundee and Edinburgh calling at 16 care homes and a support office to meet well-wishers, have a well-earned break and refuel before continuing on their way. They were joined and supported by suppliers, sponsors, staff members and residents from different homes and teams as the Tour passed through. Representatives from local groups and charities that had recently received funding from the Foundation were also invited to join in the celebrations.
Shona Conway, Foundation Trustee, Tour de Barchester Organiser and team cyclist, said: “I am delighted to say that so far this year through our corporate sponsors and with the help of all our services supporting us we have raised a staggering £64,000 which is just wonderful and money is still coming in. I am so proud and so grateful to all the homes and colleagues that welcomed us en route and helped us fundraise. I also have to say a massive thank you to our superb support crew who are absolute legends and to our very generous corporate sponsors, without them Tour de Barchester wouldn’t be able to happen.”
Chair of Barchester’s Charitable Foundation, Chief Commercial Officer and Tour de Barchester team cyclist, Simon McCall, commented: “Everyone knows that the Tour is my favourite week of the year. It is an absolute pleasure and a privilege to get out on the open road, visit our wonderful homes and meet our fantastic residents, patients and teams to witness first hand all the crazy things they are getting up to in the name of charity. Being in the Highlands this year we had lots of bagpipes, kilts and Scottish dancing, my absolute highlight was the sensational wheelchair Scottish dancing with the residents at our Fordmill care home in Montrose, that was outstanding but everywhere we went gave us such a warm welcome.
“We have raised a phenomenal amount again this year and it will be put to such good use supporting individuals, community groups and small charities, helping to connect people and combat loneliness which is what the Foundation is all about. Thank you to every single person involved, you are all absolute superstars. Here’s to the Tour 2027, we’re already planning!”
Age UK Wigan Borough pilot community storytelling programme Memory Makers
Community Story Hub CIC has announced a new partnership with Age UK Wigan Borough to pilot a six-week community storytelling programme designed to help older people share memories, strengthen connection and preserve local lived experience.
The pilot will be delivered through Memory Makers, one of Community Story Hub’s core storytelling initiatives, and will use the StoryHub app to support gentle, guided conversations with older people across the borough.
Running under the project title Every Natter Matters, the pilot will bring the Memory Makers initiative into four Age UK Wigan Borough groups over a six-week period. Through themed conversations, simple prompts and supported story sessions, participants will be invited to share memories, reflections and everyday stories in a relaxed and meaningful way.
The partnership builds on shared values around identity, connection and reducing loneliness, with both organisations focused on creating opportunities for older people to feel heard, valued and included.
The pilot will be led by Community Story Hub, with Age UK Wigan Borough volunteers observing and supporting sessions as part of an early Story Guide development element. This will help explore how the model could be sustained, adapted or developed further in future across Age UK Wigan Borough’s community work.
Unlike a formal interview, Every Natter Matters is based around light-touch, natural conversation. The StoryHub app provides gentle prompts and simple story pathways, helping facilitators guide conversations without making participants feel put on the spot.
The pilot will explore how storytelling can be used across different parts of Age UK Wigan Borough’s work, including friendship groups, lunch clubs and dementia-friendly settings. It will also look at the potential for family and legacy story capture, helping individuals and families preserve memories, voices and personal stories in a dignified and accessible way.
As well as capturing memories of the past, the project will also encourage present-day reflections on belonging, identity, community and what matters now. In doing so, the pilot aims to build a richer picture of local life across Wigan Borough, told through the voices of the people who have lived it.
Founder of Community Story Hub, Gareth Williams, said: “This partnership feels like a very natural fit. Age UK Wigan Borough does so much to support identity, connection and community, and the Memory Makers initiative is built around exactly that - giving people the space to talk, reflect and be heard.
“Every Natter Matters is not about putting people on the spot or creating polished content. It is about gentle prompts, proper listening and capturing the small moments that often carry the real story of a person, a family or a place.
“Through the StoryHub app, we can support those conversations in a simple, structured way, while still keeping the human connection at the heart of everything. Over the six weeks, we want to learn what works, what people respond to and how this kind of storytelling can support wellbeing, belonging and connection in a really practical way.”
David Germain, CEO & Charity Lead at Age UK Wigan Borough, added: “There is a real alignment between Community Story Hub and the work we do at Age UK Wigan Borough. Much of our focus is on reducing loneliness, supporting older people to remain connected to their communities, and ensuring people feel valued and heard as they age.
“We know conversations matter. Often, behind every older person is a lifetime of experiences, resilience and stories that have helped shape Wigan Borough as we know it today. Those stories are not always captured in official records; they live within our communities and deserve to be heard.
“Initiatives like Every Natter Matters create opportunities not only to preserve local history, but to build confidence, connection, and purpose in the present. If we are serious about tackling loneliness and promoting wellbeing, creating spaces where people can share experiences and feel listened to has real value. I’m pleased Age UK Wigan Borough can be part of a pilot that brings together storytelling, community connection, and healthier ageing.”
The six-week pilot began in May, with more than 100 Age UK Wigan Borough community members expected to take part in the programme.
For more information about Community Story Hub, visit memory-makers.org or to learn more about Age UK Wigan Borough, visit www.ageuk.org.uk/wiganborough/.
Care Home Manager Raises £1,200 for Crossroads Care Surrey
Margielyn Gonzaga, Home Manager of The Burlington Care Home in Shepperton, has raised £1,200 for Crossroads Care Surrey after completing a full day of Bushtucker-style challenges at this year's I'm a Director, Get Me Out of Here! event.
On Friday 12th June, Care Home Manage, Margielyn stepped into the jungle at The Laithwaite Community Stadium in Woking to take on one of Surrey's most demanding charity fundraising events, and she left with sore muscles, a gunge-soaked kit, and £1,200 raised for Surrey's unpaid carers.
The annual event, organised by Crossroads Care Surrey, invites business leaders from across the county to face a series of challenges inspired by the hit ITV show, all in support of the estimated 120,000 unpaid carers across Surrey who the charity supports through respite services.
For Margie, the day was nothing short of full-on. It opened with a creepy crawlies challenge that saw her holding a tarantula. It escalated from there. Obstacle courses followed, then an archery challenge where her very first arrow went clean through the target. Then came three rounds of eating challenges including chicken hearts and feet with fish eye and fish egg tapioca pudding for dessert. The finale arrived in the form of a bucket of gunge, after her Pink Team narrowly missed out on the win.
Through all of it, she kept going.
"I genuinely did not know what I was getting myself into," said Margielyn Gonzaga. "Holding a tarantula, eating things I'd rather not name, ending the day covered in gunge, none of that was on my bingo card when I signed up. But honestly? I'd do it again. Family carers carry so much, quietly, and often without a second thought for themselves. They look after loved ones at home without a professional team around them, and they do it every single day. If a very uncomfortable Friday is what it takes to raise money for the people who do that, it feels like the least I can do. A huge thank you to everyone who donated and cheered us on. It meant more than you know."
The achievement carries particular meaning for those at The Burlington. As General Manager, Margie works daily alongside residents, families, and the wider network of carers who support people through later life. Unpaid carers sit at the heart of that system, and Crossroads Care Surrey gives them the breathing space to carry on.
Boutique Care Homes founder Ameet Kotecha previously took on the same event himself, and Margie followed in that tradition by stepping up this year.
"I've done this event myself, so I know exactly what Margie walked into on Friday, and knowing what's coming doesn't make it any easier," said Ameet Kotecha, Founder and Managing Director of Boutique Care Homes. "What she did takes real courage, and she did it for the right reasons. Margie didn't just raise £1,200. She stood up and said that unpaid family carers matter. That's exactly who she is, and it's exactly what The Burlington is built on. Incredibly proud of her."
The £1,200 raised will go directly to Crossroads Care Surrey to fund respite services for unpaid carers across the county.
The Power of Touch in Parkinson’s Care
An eight-week project led by Maida Care is highlighting the power of touch in care, demonstrating how massage therapy and other non-pharmaceutical approaches can significantly improve physical comfort, emotional wellbeing, and overall quality of life for residents living with Parkinson’s.
Providing person-centred care for individuals with Parkinson’s presents challenges and opportunities. While medication plays a vital role, there is growing recognition of holistic, non-pharmaceutical approaches in enhancing quality of life. An eight-week massage therapy project across four London care homes explored this, offering residents a programme supporting physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing.
Funded by Parkinson’s Care and Support UK, the only UK charity dedicated to non-drug approaches to Parkinson’s wellbeing, the project was delivered by Maida Care, a London-based agency bringing holistic therapies into care homes to enhance residents’ quality of life. Together, they aimed to show how accessible therapeutic interventions can complement traditional care.
The project involved eight residents diagnosed with Parkinson’s, each receiving one tailored massage session per week. Every session included a health consultation alongside the massage, ensuring a person-centred approach. Delivered by qualified practitioners experienced in complex health needs, the programme was carefully integrated into each home’s care framework, with clinical teams supporting consent and risk management. The outcomes proved both measurable and meaningful.
Physically, many participants experienced noticeable improvements. Around 75% reported reduced pain and muscular rigidity, a common Parkinson’s symptom. Some also showed improved mobility, with greater ease of movement. Better sleep often followed, linked to reduced discomfort and increased relaxation.
Emotionally, the impact was particularly significant. Anxiety, low mood and depression are common in Parkinson’s and are often difficult to address in routine care. In this project, all participants reported feeling more relaxed and less stressed after sessions, with many noting improved mood and reduced anxiety over time. For some, the sessions became a vital part of their week, offering comfort, calm and meaningful human connection, reducing feelings of isolation and distress.
“The sessions had a clear positive impact on our residents, improving relaxation, mood and overall wellbeing,” says Steve Williams, Hospitality Manager at Signature Senior Lifestyle, Hendon Hall.
“All participants looked forward to the massage sessions and found them beneficial, supporting both physical wellbeing and mental health. Such services could significantly improve the quality of life for residents with Parkinson’s,” says Nishma Haria, Development Manager at Candlewood House Care Home.
The project highlights the value of massage therapy in supporting physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing for people living with Parkinson’s. With all participants reporting improved wellbeing, this demonstrated how this intervention can make a meaningful difference in care home settings, even over a short period of time and may support wider adoption of holistic care approaches. Parkinson’s Care and Support UK and Charlotte Kahn, Founder of Maida Care, are now exploring how the project could be developed further and expanded to reach more care homes and residents living with Parkinson’s.