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
Penrose Croft Care Home Appoints Local Care Leader as General Manager
Cornwall’s newest purpose-built care home, operated by Crystal Care Collection, Penrose Croft in Helston, has announced the appointment of Annmarie Thomas as its General Manager.
Born and raised in West Cornwall, Annmarie’s connection to care was by her mother, who worked as a care assistant. She spent time in care homes as a child and knew from the age of six that she wanted a career helping others.
Annmarie began working in care at just 16 years old and went on to study Social Work at the University of Central Lancashire, graduating with a BA (Hons) in Welfare Studies.
Since then, she has built extensive experience across domiciliary, nursing, and residential care services, becoming a CQC Registered Manager at the age of 27. She also holds a Level 5 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management.
Annmarie said, “It is a privilege to be leading Penrose Croft and to have the opportunity to create a home that truly reflects the values that have guided me throughout my career.
“Having grown up in Cornwall, I understand how important community, family, and belonging are. My goal is to ensure Penrose Croft is a place where residents feel safe and empowered to live life to the fullest, while families have complete confidence in the care and support their loved ones receive.”
Outside of work, Annmarie enjoys musical theatre, live music, and reading. She also loves spending time on Cornwall's beaches and firmly believes the county's coastline is second to none. She lives locally with her partner, his daughter, and her much-loved cat, Lola.
The new team at Penrose Croft will be welcoming the local community to a Grand Opening event on 22nd August. From 1pm-4pm, all will be welcome to come along for guided tours of the new home and enjoy family friendly entertainment and light refreshments.
Dorset care home music lovers meet today’s top performers
A trio of long-standing music lovers from a Dorset care home, including a 99-year-old former chamber musician, met some of today’s top performers at a ‘wonderful’ orchestral concert.
The trip to Poole Lighthouse to watch the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) was a delight for Myrtle Smith, Muriel Brown and Tessa Cooper who live at Colten Care’s Bourne View home in the town.
The evening, which featured music by Beethoven, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Sir Arnold Bax, began with a private audience for the Colten party.
French Horn player Kevin Pritchard, trombonist Robb Tooley, violinist Jenni Curiel and viola player Judith Preston all spoke with the visitors just ahead of the performance.
The conversations naturally centred on music, with discussions about performing today compared to years gone by.
Myrtle, 99, was recognised for her musical skills as she grew up in 1930s London. At just 11 years old, she achieved the top Grade 8 on the piano.
After winning a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music on her 18th birthday, she went on to establish a successful career as a chamber musician.
She played hundreds of concerts accompanying fellow musicians and singers and in later life became a piano teacher.
A skilled harpsichord player, Muriel studied music at university and worked as a music teacher and lecturer at Aberdeen University. Several members of her family are classically trained musicians.
In her younger days, Tessa used to enjoy BSO performances at Poole Lighthouse and had long wished to return after not attending a concert for several years.
After the performance, all three ladies expressed their delight and thanks.
Muriel said: “It was so nice to meet the musicians, and my daughter, who used to be a member of the BSO, also joined, and she knew many of the musicians we met.”
Tessa said: “I was amazed we got to meet the musicians as well as see such a wonderful concert. We felt like royalty for the evening!”
Myrtle described the concert as ‘a very exciting evening’, adding: “I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful music and wonderful atmosphere inside the auditorium.”
Muriel, Tessa and Myrtle were accompanied by Bourne View staff including Richard Croft, a Companionship Team member.
Richard said: “The BSO musicians took the time to make the group feel welcome and included in the evening. Being back in a concert hall and immersed in music brought back many fond memories for our residents. It all went very smoothly, a truly special outing, and we sincerely thank the BSO members for their kindness in accommodating us.”
With over 6,035 lives saved, LifeVac Europe® calls for anti-choking devices to become a mandatory first aid item
Ten years after the first recorded UK save, LifeVac Europe®, the Devon-based manufacturer of LifeVac® across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, is calling for its Class I medical devices, regulated by the FDA, MHRA, TGA, HPFB, MOH, and SAHPRA, to become a mandatory part of first aid kits.
Created by Arthur Lih in the United States after witnessing a child choking on a grape, LifeVac® is a non-invasive airway clearance device designed to help remove an obstruction when standard Basic Life Support (BLS) has failed or cannot be performed.
That single devastating moment sparked an invention that has saved more than 6,000 lives from the UK to the USA, Canada to Brazil, and Australia to Spain, in homes, restaurants, schools, nurseries, hospitals, care homes, and retail sites.
Eric Banagan, Founder & Managing Director of LifeVac Europe®, said: “Every one of the reported saves represents someone who is here today because a LifeVac® device was used when standard BLS procedures were unsuccessful. Help was available in a critical moment, meaning children still have parents, parents still have children, and grandparents remain around the dinner table sharing memories that otherwise may have been lost.”
“We’d love to live in a world where these devices were never needed, but the reality is that choking emergencies happen silently, quickly, and without warning, so people must be prepared. In the UK, ambulance target response times are eight minutes, yet potential brain damage can occur after just four, meaning every second counts. The evidence shows LifeVac® saves lives, and we believe these devices should become a mandatory part of first aid kits.”
One of the reported saves belongs to Lizzie Arora Harmon, who commented: "I was eating breakfast with my son when a piece of apple became lodged in my windpipe and I couldn’t breathe or move. James stayed calm, got the LifeVac® from the boot of my car, and used it to dislodge the apple. Paramedics later told me that if I had been home alone that day, I would have died and James would have lost his mum. We want everyone to know about LifeVac® so they’re prepared if disaster strikes."
Lewis Steeper, Co-Founder of The Oliver Steeper Foundation, added: “Following the heartbreaking loss of our son, Oliver, in a choking incident, we know that a normal day can turn into an emergency within seconds. No parent, teacher, carer, or colleague ever expects to face this situation, yet it happens daily in homes, schools, nurseries, restaurants, and workplaces. More than 6,000 reported saves is incredible, and we are committed to raising awareness and fundraising to help provide LifeVac® devices to childcare settings across the UK, so more families are protected before tragedy strikes.”
Eric concluded: “Our mission is to see LifeVac® become a mandatory part of first aid, rather than simply an optional device used when standard BLS fails or cannot be performed, so more homes and workplaces are equipped to respond to choking emergencies and more lives can be saved.”
Continuing Faith, Community and Connection at a North Devon Care Home
Faith is something many of us have held onto throughout our lives, something we’ve turned to in moments of worry, loss and hope, something that has helped make sense of things when life hasn’t always been easy, and something that has connected us to a community, where people know us, remember us and we feel they belong.
When a move into a care home begins to feel like something that may soon need to be considered, we of course start by asking the practical questions about the location, care needs, food, activities, but then there are the more personal parts of life like faith, and the sense of connection that comes with it and whether those things will still be there, especially at a time when so much is changing and that sense of familiarity can matter more than ever.
For those that live at Heanton Nursing Home, that connection remains close.
St Augustine’s Church, the 13th century parish church for Heanton Punchardon in North Devon, sits beside Heanton Nursing Home and has been part of the village’s parish life for many years.
Reverand Glyn Lewry is Priest in Charge at St Augustine’s, and he visits Heanton as a familiar and reassuring presence for many people living at the home.
People who call Heanton home can continue to visit the church if they wish. Some attend services, others spend time sitting quietly inside or in the churchyard. For those who have always had faith, these small continuations matter. Hymns are still recognised. Prayers still hold meaning, and the sense of being part of something beyond the home remains.
Rev Lewry shared “there was someone who used to come regularly from Heanton, people knew him and he was part of the church community and that sense of being known does not disappear.”
A Continued Connection Through Life’s Difficult Moments
There are moments in life when that continued sense of connection can mean even more.
Rev Lewry supports people across the local community through some of life’s most difficult and emotional moments, often simply by being there when words are hard to find.
During more emotional and uncertain times in life, it is often that quiet presence and reassurance that matter most. A known voice, someone sitting beside you, or the comfort of being recognised can mean a great deal.
In those moments, faith can offer comfort. A prayer, a reading, or simply someone being there without expectation. Not to lead, but to sit alongside.
Moving into Heanton doesn’t mean leaving those parts of life behind, they continue, just in a different way.
Care Home Open Week 2026 set to build on 2025 success as care homes prepare to welcome their communities once again
National event returns 15–21 June 2026 with World Cup football theme, following a record year of community celebrations across the UK
Care Home Open Week is set to return from 15–21 June 2026, with care homes across the UK once again invited to open their doors, celebrate their communities and showcase the warmth, creativity and vitality of modern care.
Building on the success of last year’s ‘Power of Music’ themed Care Home Open Week, which saw over 5,000 care homes host events ranging from tribute acts to choir performances, this year’s campaign is encouraging even more care homes to get involved and make the week their own.
Last year’s celebrations showed just how diverse and imaginative care homes can be when they invite the local community in. From a musical picnic in Somerset to a lively afternoon concert in Manchester, homes used the week to create meaningful moments for residents, families, staff and visitors alike, while strengthening connections with their communities.
Among the homes that helped make 2025 such a success was Allegra Care’s St George’s Nursing Home in Somerset, which celebrated with a musical picnic in its courtyard and café, complete with live entertainment, homemade food and visits from the Mayor and Mayoress of Weston-super-Mare. The event brought residents and guests together for a day of sun, music, good company and good food, with the home also hosting a community tea and cake to welcome visitors in.
At Heathlands Village in Manchester, the celebrations included a performance from the Manchester Mesivta School Choir, whose traditional Jewish and Israeli songs moved residents and guests alike, followed by an afternoon concert and tea. The week also featured guided tours, creating a vibrant and welcoming experience that highlighted the strong sense of community within the village.
Four Oaks Care Home in Trafford, embraced the summer theme with musical classics, canapés, mocktails, garden tours and a visit from the Mayor of Trafford. The home used the week to showcase not only its hospitality and care but also its landscaped gardens and welcoming atmosphere, while creating an enjoyable day for residents and visitors.
In Scotland, HC-One’s Highgate Care Home, marked the week with singing, dancing and a special visit from a Tom Jones tribute act, alongside performances from local children and appearances from dogs and other community visitors. The home also embraced Pride Month with rainbow-themed treats and decorations, showing how Care Home Open Week can celebrate both community spirit and individuality.
Royal Hampton Care Home also made the week memorable by welcoming a local flautist and vocalist, whose performances brought back cherished memories of opera, ballet and show tunes for residents. The musical celebrations created a warm, uplifting atmosphere and demonstrated the powerful role live entertainment can play in care settings.
Championing Social Care is now encouraging care homes to register for the 2026 event and use the week as an opportunity to celebrate their residents, staff and local relationships. This year’s World Cup theme is designed to be inclusive and flexible, allowing homes to shape their own activities around the interests and abilities of those living and working there. Care homes of all shapes and sizes are being encouraged to take part, whether through simple watch parties, football-themed games, group activities or community open days that reflect the character of each home.
Championing Social Care, which leads the initiative, is again providing free resources, downloads, templates and activity ideas to make participation easy and achievable for every home, regardless of budget or capacity.
Mitesh Dhanak, board member of Championing Social Care and chair of the Care Home Open Week committee, said: “Care Home Open Week is a wonderful opportunity for care homes to show the real heart of social care, which is welcoming, creative, community-minded and full of life. Last year’s events were a brilliant example of what can happen when homes open their doors and invite people in, and we want to congratulate all the teams who worked so hard to make them special.
“We’re really looking forward to seeing what homes across the country do this year, and with the World Cup theme there are so many fun, inclusive and memorable ways to bring residents, families and communities together.”
Care Home Open Week 2026 will also be supported by the Great British Care Cycle Relay, taking place from 11–15 June, which will visit Edinburgh, Manchester, the East Midlands, Cardiff and London in the lead-up to the main week of activity.
Care homes can register now and find out more at the Championing Social Care website https://www.championingsocialcare.org.uk/care-home-open-week/
New dementia training drive to boost care and support across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
People living with dementia, along with their caregivers and families are set to benefit from a major new training programme for frontline staff across Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire. The programme has been commissioned by NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and is being delivered by specialist provider 6D Dementia from Co. Antrim, which was founded by national dementia-care expert, Dr Frances Duffy. The company is currently one of only four companies accepted onto the Alzheimer's Society’s Accelerator Programme. In recent days, it was also announced as one of 16 global finalists in the Isle of Man Innovation Challenge 2026, as a company with the potential to make a meaningful difference to people and communities across the Island.
The NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (BNSSG ICB), currently serves a population of over one million people. Upon completion of the course, 500 health and social care staff from hospitals, community services, local authorities, and the voluntary sector in the local area, will have undertaken the specialist dementia training.
The training is taking place as the UK faces rapidly rising dementia rates. Around 982,000 people are currently living with the condition, a figure expected to pass one million by 2030 and reach 1.4 million by 2040. The cost to society, estimated at £25bn in 2021, is projected to rise to £30bn by the end of this decade.
National dementia-care expert
Dr Duffy is a consultant clinical psychologist and national dementia-care expert who has authored best practice guidelines for Northern Ireland’s Public Health Agency and the British Psychological Society (BPS), contributed to the Northern Ireland Regional Dementia Care Pathway, and serves on national committees of the BPS and the Association of Clinical Psychologists. She is also an NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Fellow. The Clinical Entrepreneur Programme was established in 2016 to equip NHS staff with the commercial skills, experience, and knowledge necessary to accelerate innovations in healthcare.
Reduced pressures
6D Dementia’s training is grounded in established psychological and dementia-care evidence, alongside years of frontline clinical experience from Dr. Duffy. It seeks to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia and to ease pressure on health and social care budgets by supporting reductions in crisis, escalation, and unnecessary hospital admissions and more appropriate use of antipsychotic medication. Its mix of online modules, care planning tools, and face-to-face sessions will help staff better understand the progression of dementia, support people experiencing distress, and improve the consistency and quality of care. The approach also aims to reduce stress for carers and improve staff wellbeing and retention.
Speaking about the new training, Dr Duffy said it was an important milestone for people living with dementia, and for those who support them in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire: “As a society we are facing rapidly rising dementia rates, so it is hugely significant for people living in the area that the ICB has taken the lead and chosen to invest in specialist training that is practical, accessible, and designed to make a real difference to families and frontline staff alike.
“Our approach is fully aligned with the NHS Long Term Plan and the Northern Ireland Reset Plan, meaning our model is built on transitioning from sickness to prevention, from hospital to community, and from analogue to digital, as well as strengthening partnerships across health and social care.
“By investing in people and prevention through 6D Dementia’s specialist training, the BNSSG ICB is taking a vital lead in advancing dementia care here in the UK. It reflects their commitment to upskilling staff, improving patient experience, and supporting families through training that is practical, evidence-based, and focused on real-world outcomes.
“Our training has received incredible feedback showing it helps staff feel more supported and confident, and people living with dementia feel safe, understood, and treated with dignity in their daily care. I’m looking forward to seeing how the rollout of this programme is going to positively transform dementia care across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, and enable more people living with dementia to do so with dignity and meaningful connection, while maximising their independence.”
Speaking about the training, David Moss, Locality Director at BNSSG ICB, added: “We are delighted to commission dementia training of this type and on this scale. This has only been possible because of the strong relationships and close working between our locality partnerships: the teams of NHS staff, local councils, voluntary organisations, and community groups who work side‑by‑side every day. Their shared commitment to supporting people living with dementia means we can invest in specialist training that reflects real local needs and helps improve care where it matters most.
“Investing in specialist dementia training is a key part of our Joint Forward Plan, as we aim to ensure that people living with dementia, their families, and NHS staff all benefit from the latest thinking in dementia care. This new training programme will help our frontline teams build greater understanding and improve communication. It will help them respond more effectively to the complex needs of those affected, so that people living with dementia are supported by people with the kinds of skills and compassion that can make a real difference to them every day.”
Next on the agenda for 6D Dementia is the rollout of a dedicated training programme for families and loved ones of people living with dementia.
Yarde Farm launches Jimmy’s Latte Ice Cream in new flavour collaboration
Yarde Farm, the Devon-based ice cream brand exclusive to foodservice, has teamed up with Jimmy’s Iced Coffee to create and launch a new flavour, Jimmy’s Latte ice cream.
A smooth, dairy ice cream infused with the distinctive taste of Jimmy’s Iced Coffee, made with single-origin, Rainforest Alliance certified Arabica coffee beans from Colombia; this new flavour blends Yarde Farm’s traditional, artisan approach with a modern, on-trend twist, helping businesses keep menus fresh, fun, and exciting.
Yarde Farm works with some of the nation’s favourite brands to create flavours that balance contemporary trends with its seaside ice cream heritage. By teaming up with well-loved, recognisable names, the brand keeps its range fresh and innovative, while crafting high-quality ice cream in the UK using real ingredients and West Country cream.
Previous collaborations have included Reese’s and Biscoff®, with Yarde Farm the only foodservice brand to have exclusive use of the Biscoff® logo. With more than 40 irresistible flavours now available, Yarde Farm gives businesses the flexibility to refresh and tailor menus season after season.
Designed to appeal to consumers of all ages, Jimmy’s Latte ice cream delivers a familiar yet distinctive flavour with strong brand recognition, helping businesses create standout dessert and impulse treat options that feel both current and comforting.
“We love dreaming up new flavours for our customers, and this collaboration with Jimmy’s blends tradition with trend. Jimmy’s Latte ice cream lets us bring something genuinely exciting to the range while staying true to our roots as a traditional British ice cream maker. This new flavour helps businesses keep menus fresh and fun, giving customers something a little different to enjoy.”
“We’re super excited to partner with Yarde Farm on this launch – it’s an exciting way to bring our single origin coffee to more people in a soft serve ice cream, just in time for a cracking summer!”
LUXURY CARE HOME GROUP LAUNCHES ‘LOVE TO MOVE’ IN DORSET HOMES
A targeted initiative to improve mobility and wellbeing among older residents is gaining momentum across Hamberley Care Homes, as the provider rolls out the Love to Move programme across its Dorset homes.
Now established at Verwood House Care Home and Upton Manor Care Home, the initiative is designed to help residents remain physically active and cognitively engaged through structured chair-based exercise sessions - an approach that is particularly beneficial for those living with dementia or reduced mobility.
Developed by the British Gymnastics Foundation, Love to Move uses a dual-task exercise model, encouraging participants to move different sides of the body simultaneously.
This technique is widely recognised for stimulating neural pathways, strengthening coordination between brain and body, and supporting cognitive resilience.
Head of Dementia at Hamberley Care Homes, David Moore, said the programme is already delivering measurable outcomes across multiple domains of resident wellbeing. He hopes to roll it out across the Hamberley Care Homes Group.
He said:
“Through its unique, evidence-based approach, Love to Move is delivering measurable improvements in confidence, coordination, communication, and overall well-being for our residents.
“Embedding the programme across Hamberley Care Homes as part of our dementia strategy underlines our commitment to innovative, person-centred care, enabling individuals to remain active, engaged, and independent for as long as possible.”
He added that embedding the programme more widely reflects a strategic focus on innovation in dementia care.
Delivery of the sessions at both Dorset homes is led by a trained practitioner from Love to Move Dorset, Katie Wilford, who brings a combination of gentle exercise, music, and interactive engagement to each session.
Verwood House Wellbeing Coach, Emilia Turner, highlighted the social and emotional impact alongside the physical benefits.
She added:
“These sessions consistently create a positive and uplifting atmosphere within the home.
“Residents are not only benefiting physically through improved mobility and coordination, but they are also experiencing genuine enjoyment.”
Upton Manor Wellbeing and Lifestyle Coach Erin Butcher added: “There is a visible sense of connection that develops, people smiling, laughing and encouraging one another.
“For many residents, particularly those living with dementia, these moments of shared energy and engagement are incredibly valuable. They help reduce feelings of isolation and support overall mental wellbeing.”
The programme has already been adopted in care settings across the UK, where it has supported thousands of older people.
As care providers continue to explore interventions that promote active ageing, initiatives such as Love to Move demonstrate how low-impact, accessible exercise can deliver meaningful improvements in both quality of life and care outcomes.
Dorset firefighters spend ‘fascinating’ day with care home residents
Firefighters joined care home residents in Poole to spread community spirit and uncover details of shared local history.
Four members of the station crew at Redhill Park in Bournemouth were special guests at Colten Care’s Bourne View home in Langside Avenue, two miles away.
The whole-day visit was arranged between the Companionship team at the art deco-themed home and Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service.
It was an opportunity for residents to celebrate and show appreciation for local heroes while seeing a modern fire engine at close range.
Over tea and cakes baked by Bourne View chefs and served in the home’s hotel reception-style lounge, crew members invited residents to go out to the car park together for a hands-on look at the vehicle.
“The firefighters talked through the equipment and how it is used,” said Companion Rebecca Oliver. “They shared insights into how fire engines and protective gear have changed over the years, happily answering questions and giving everyone a better understanding of life in the fire service.
“In the afternoon, the focus turned to our site's history. We had previously worked closely with historians from Talbot Village Trust to uncover the story of the land on which Bourne View now stands.
“Research revealed that the building was once the headquarters of local fire stations, and some historians recall it may even have been used for training during its final years.
“Going back even further, the area was originally open fields owned by Newton Farm. In the 1940s, the farm became home to a ‘dog hotel’, the Tree Top Kennels.
“This was a well-known local business remembered by many long-time residents who reminisced about hearing dogs barking when they passed.
“Discovering these layers of history brought real excitement to what was a lively and fascinating day.”
Resident Rosemary Warner told staff after the visit: “I want to say congratulations on organising such a wonderful day. I have been searching for more information on the history of the area with little luck. You all did a great job - thank you!”