"Why is it that in my role I never feel good enough and question what I’m doing? Maybe it’s because my co-workers think I do nothing and they really don’t understand my job. It’s hard to just brush it off."

For many care home activity coordinators, the phrase "no budget " is all too familiar. You’re expected to provide a full, engaging programme of activities, but the money simply isn’t there. It can feel frustrating, especially when you’re passionate about delivering the best for your residents.

When I began writing my blog series on the SPIES model of wellbeing (Social, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Spiritual), I thought...

Spiritual wellbeing isn’t a one-size-fits-all. For some residents, it means practising their religion, joining a service, or connecting with a local faith leader. For others, it might be sitting by the window with a cup of tea, listening to birdsong, or sharing memories from their childhood.

Emotional wellbeing isn’t about eliminating the lows, it’s about recognising where someone is in that moment, and offering the right kind of support.

"The richest, most surprising stories from care home residents often appear in those quiet, in-between moments - waiting for the kettle to boil, walking to the dining room, or peeling veg for shepherd’s pie. These golden snippets of lived experience can transform your activity planning, turning everyday conversations into meaningful, mind-stimulating sessions that celebrate residents as experts in their own stories."

Discover how to support social wellbeing in care homes with meaningful, everyday activities. This post explores small group ideas, purposeful connections, and practical tools for activity coordinators using the SPIES wellbeing model.