Creating space for reflection: Remembrance Day activities for care homes
- Bright Copper Kettles CIC
- 9 hours ago
- 6 min read
As activity coordinators, you play a vital role in helping residents connect with moments that matter. Remembrance Day is one such moment - a time to honour the
past, reflect on shared values, and create space for every resident to feel included.
For some activity coordinators, it can be tempting to feel that Remembrance Day no longer holds the same relevance it once did. As the number of wartime veterans has naturally declined, it may seem like a date that speaks to the past rather than the present. Yet, the heart of this day - connection, gratitude, and reflection - remains just as meaningful for today’s residents.
Observed on 11th November, Remembrance Day offers a special opportunity to pause, reflect, and give thanks to all who served and sacrificed in times of conflict. For many residents, it can stir powerful memories of loved ones, communities pulling together, and moments of courage during uncertain times. It’s also a moment to include those whose stories may be different - residents who didn’t grow up in the UK, or whose families were affected by conflicts elsewhere in the world.
While the day is rooted in remembrance of the First and Second World Wars, it also honours those touched by more recent conflicts, including Korea, the Falklands, Iraq, and Afghanistan. It’s also important to remember that many brave people are still serving in the armed forces today, continuing to risk their lives to protect our safety and freedom. Approached thoughtfully, Remembrance Day becomes more than a tradition; it’s a time to acknowledge shared humanity, offer gentle space for reflection, and ensure every resident feels seen and included.
Creating the right atmosphere for Remembrance Day helps residents feel calm, safe, and connected. It doesn’t need to be elaborate - in fact, simplicity often has the most impact. Consider setting aside a quiet corner or table as a Remembrance space, this can become a place where residents pause throughout the day, reflect, or leave their own token of remembrance.
Choosing suitable music for Remembrance Day activities
Music can also play a powerful role. Familiar wartime songs such as We’ll Meet Again, White Cliffs of Dover, or gentle hymns like Abide With Me can evoke memories and create a sense of shared experience. While some residents may feel that these songs belong to another time and prefer something different, they remain deeply familiar and appropriate for this setting, particularly around Remembrance.
These melodies often offer a comforting link to the past and can help set a tone of quiet reflection and gratitude. Rather than dismissing them, consider using them thoughtfully, giving residents the choice to listen, sing along, or simply enjoy the gentle atmosphere they create.
If your care home displays flags, photos, or medals, do so thoughtfully - focus on personal meaning rather than decoration. Invite residents to contribute items or stories if they wish, such as a photo of a loved one in uniform or a letter from home. This helps make the space feel personal and inclusive.
And remember, inclusion extends beyond British history. You might include symbols or stories that reflect residents’ own backgrounds or family experiences - whether they lived through conflict in another country or served in a different way. By doing this, you help ensure that remembrance feels like an act of shared respect and peace, rather than one bound by nationality.
A central part of Remembrance Day is observing a moment of reflection, whether through a formal service or a quiet pause. Even a short, well-structured activity can help residents feel included and provide a meaningful way to remember those who served.
The two-minute silence at 11am is often the highlight of the day. Provide a calm, supportive environment, explaining what will happen so residents understand and feel included. Some may prefer to sit quietly, others to join in reflection, and a few may wish to observe from another room - all choices are valid and should be respected.
It can also be meaningful to acknowledge more recent conflicts, alongside the First and Second World Wars. Residents might want to remember those who served in Korea, the Falklands, Iraq, or Afghanistan, ensuring the day reflects both historical and contemporary sacrifices.
Where possible, consider inviting local clergy, volunteers, or members of a veterans’ association. Their presence can add a sense of community and connection, particularly for residents who appreciate interaction with those who have firsthand experience of service.
Activities to mark Remembrance Day in care homes
Remembrance Day doesn’t have to be limited to quiet reflection - creative activities can help residents express memories, feelings, and gratitude in a personal and meaningful way. These activities also allow those who may find formal services overwhelming to take part in a gentler, hands-on way.
Poppy Crafting
Residents can create poppies from felt, tissue paper, or even recycled materials. These can be displayed around the care home or used to make a communal wreath. Crafting encourages conversation, reminiscence, and a sense of contribution.
Remembrance Wreath or Display
Invite residents to contribute handprints, drawings, or messages of thanks to a shared wreath or display. This not only marks the day visually but also celebrates the collective participation of everyone in the home.
Memory Boards and Scrapbooks
Use photographs, postcards, medals, or wartime memorabilia (with consent) to create boards or scrapbooks. Residents can share stories, link memories to music, or even write short notes about their experiences or family histories.
In-house service
For many care homes, a small in-house service works well. This could include readings, poems, or a recording of the Last Post. Poems such as For the Fallen or In Flanders Fields can be read aloud or displayed for residents to follow, helping bring history to life in a gentle, accessible way. Encourage residents to contribute if they wish - for example, by dedicating a poppy, sharing a memory, or reading a line.
Letter Writing
Encourage residents to write messages of gratitude to local veterans, service personnel, or armed forces charities. Even short notes or drawings can feel deeply meaningful.
Remembrance Baking
Cooking activities can be themed around wartime recipes such as scones, biscuits, or simple cakes. These sessions not only offer reminiscence opportunities but also provide sensory engagement and a sense of accomplishment.
Quiet Reflection Corners
For residents who prefer solitude or gentle contemplation, set up a small area with candles, a photo, or a single poppy. They can spend a few moments in personal remembrance, ensuring everyone has a way to participate in a way that feels right for them.
By offering a range of options, you allow each resident to engage at their own pace and comfort level. Creative activities, alongside formal reflection, ensure Remembrance Day is both inclusive and meaningful for everyone in your care home.
Storytelling and Reminiscence
One of the most powerful ways to mark Remembrance Day is through sharing stories and memories. For many residents, recounting personal or family experiences can be deeply moving and help them feel connected to the day.
Encourage residents to share memories of wartime Britain - evacuation, rationing, community events, or loved ones who served. Even small anecdotes about day-to-day life during wartime can spark conversation and create a sense of shared history. For residents who may not have lived through the wars in the UK, you could invite them to share stories from their own backgrounds or experiences of conflict, helping everyone feel included.
Using objects, photographs, letters, or wartime memorabilia can help stimulate conversation and recall, particularly for residents living with dementia. Items like ration books, postcards, medals, or vintage clothing can act as gentle prompts for storytelling.
If residents prefer quieter participation, consider offering one-to-one reminiscence sessions, journalling, or gentle prompts they can reflect on independently. The goal is to provide space for residents to engage in their own way, whether through active storytelling or private reflection.
Linking this back to the HELPS framework, focusing on Histories and Experiences ensures that each resident’s background and memories guide how they participate, making Remembrance Day not only a communal moment but also a personal one.
Supporting Emotional Wellbeing
Remembrance Day can stir a range of emotions in residents - pride, gratitude, sadness, or even grief. It’s important to acknowledge these feelings and provide support in a thoughtful, sensitive way.
Ensure that there are quiet spaces available for residents who may feel overwhelmed or simply wish to reflect privately. Staff can offer gentle one-to-one support or simply be present to listen, providing reassurance and companionship.
Some residents may find participation in formal activities too emotional, while others may want to actively engage in storytelling, crafting, or reflection. By offering a variety of options, you allow each resident to take part in a way that feels safe and meaningful to them.
Consider involving faith representatives, volunteers, or local veterans’ groups, if residents wish, as their presence can offer comfort and a sense of shared understanding.
For residents with dementia or cognitive challenges, simple prompts, such as photographs, familiar music, or tactile objects, can help them engage without feeling stressed or confused.
Finally, it can be helpful to balance reflection with gentle, comforting activities later in the day, such as sharing tea, enjoying a quiet song, or taking part in light crafts. These moments can help residents transition from the intensity of remembrance to a sense of calm and reassurance.
If you'd like more ideas for your care home activities take a look at the Activity Coordinators Toolbox membership.
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