"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."

As an Activity Coordinator, you're in a brilliant position to support physical wellbeing without needing a physio’s degree or a gym in the lounge. In fact, many of the best ways to help residents move more don’t look like exercise at all. Let’s explore why physical wellbeing matters and how you can help support it through meaningful, joyful activity.

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.

Let’s be honest: flying by the seat of your pants every day is exhausting. Planning ahead, using monthly themes, flexible activity templates, and person-centred tools (like those in the Activity Coordinators Toolbox™), helps you feel more organised and in control. That doesn’t mean you lose spontaneity, it means you’ve got the groundwork in place, so when inspiration strikes, you’re ready.

Reaching out to Lingfield Park Racecourse, Laurence was met with remarkable generosity. The racecourse, part of the Arena Racing Company group, offered ten complimentary tickets so Stephen could spend the day at the races with his family, friends, and fellow residents.

The language we use in care isn’t just admin. It shapes how people feel. If something looks vague, clinical, or confusing on a planner, residents may skip it - or worse, feel that it’s something being done to them rather than with them.

Caroline Benham, sweltering in the heat, hands on her head - still smiling though! When temperatures rise, keeping residents safe, cool,...

Monday mornings don’t always have the best reputation. Whether it’s grey skies, a slower start, or just the feeling that the weekend...

D o you ever feel stuck when planning activities or struggle to find inspiration? A dream board could be the perfect solution. Dream...

The feelings of being valued, cared for, and included are powerful and lasting, even if the details fade.

being an Activity Coordinator doesn’t mean you have to spend your evenings planning activities or getting lost in endless admin tasks.

Break free from age-based assumptions! Challenge conscious bias, adapt activities, and focus on what residents can do. Let's create more joy

The revalidation focused on evidence related to the three key principles of reducing loneliness, helplessness, and boredom...

Longer days and warmer weather make August perfect for outdoor activities. Organise picnics, garden parties, and nature walks...

Care home activities matter: Part 3 Engaging in activities within care homes can offer significant neurobiological benefits for residents....

You play a vital role in enriching the lives of those in your care. However, the demands of your job can often lead to stress and...

It's essential that care homes provide opportunities for a wide variety of activities. For those of you on a low budget or no budget. ...