Social wellbeing in care homes: Meaningful connection beyond activities
- Bright Copper Kettles CIC
- Jul 31
- 3 min read
This month, we're focusing on wellbeing in care homes using the SPIES model -Social, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Spiritual wellbeing.
Each week, I'll explore one of these five areas with practical ideas and thoughtful reflections to help you support residents in a more holistic, person-centred way.
First up: Social Wellbeing - because connection, conversation, and community are at the heart of a happy home.
SPIES wellbeing focus: S is for Social wellbeing in care homes
When we think about social wellbeing in care homes, it’s easy to picture big group activities
- games, parties, visiting entertainers. And while these can be fantastic, social wellbeing isn’t about numbers, it’s about connection.
It’s about feeling seen.
Feeling heard.
Feeling part of something.
So, how can we as activity coordinators make space for real connection in everyday life?
Not everyone wants to be in a crowd. Some residents thrive in small groups or prefer paired interaction.
A quiet cuppa with a friend.
A walk with a companion.
A game of dominoes just the two of you.
These moments matter. They count. That’s where meaningful connection can really flourish.
Care home activity ideas for small group social interaction
Host a tea and talk table with a rotating guest list
Pair up residents with shared past careers or hobbies
Encourage small storytelling circles using memory prompts
Purposeful activities that spark connection
Residents often feel more connected when they're working together on something purposeful such as a a shared project, a simple job, or even something playful.
Try these purposeful care home activities:
Create handmade decorations for seasonal events
Curate a memory wall or photo board with resident contributions
Form a resident news team who help update noticeboards
Purpose adds meaning and social connection naturally follows from these types of activities.
Recognising the social moments that matter
Sometimes residents say, “I haven’t done anything today.”
But they have. They’ve shared smiles, swapped stories, and felt seen.
Our role is to help them notice and celebrate those small, beautiful moments of connection.
Social wellbeing activity ideas to highlight connection:
“Who made you smile today?” a great question for after group sessions
A simple Friendship Bingo game at lunch tables
A Wall of Kindness for noting kind gestures and shared joy
Quick tools for activity coordinators
Support social wellbeing in care homes with a few simple resources:
A daily conversation starter or topic-of-the-day board
A designated social seating area in a communal area
A reminder for staff: It’s okay to pause the task and have a real conversation
Let’s champion social wellbeing this week
The SPIES wellbeing model reminds us that wellbeing is multi-layered, and Social Wellbeing is often the gateway to the rest.
By creating consistent opportunities for connection in large groups, small circles, and in pairs, you’re not just filling time.
You’re building trust, joy, and community.
One chat at a time
One shared brew
One connection
If you’d like to explore this subject further, join the Activity Coordinators Toolbox™
membership where you’ll find thoughtful prompts, creative planning tools and downloadable resources designed to help you reflect, connect, and plan with purpose.
Whether you're supporting residents' social wellbeing or your own, there's space inside to pause, think, and grow - one meaningful moment at a time.
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