A seasonal version of Bingo for your care home residents to enjoy.

December traditions do far more than mark the passage of time, they create a sense of belonging. They help residents feel part of something bigger, spark memories, and soften feelings of loneliness that can intensify during the winter months. Most importantly, they remind us that no matter our backgrounds, people everywhere seek joy, connection, and meaning.

Hygge helps us to slow down, notice the little things, and create moments of connection that really matter - and those moments are at the heart of good activities work. Below are five ways Hygge can quietly transform the way you plan and deliver activities.

Christmas in a care home can feel like a juggling act — decorations, music, parties, and presents all competing for your attention. But what if the season didn’t have to be frantic?

Remembrance Day can hold deep meaning in a care home, offering residents a moment to reflect, remember, and connect. While it’s easy to assume the day no longer feels relevant, gentle, inclusive activities can bring comfort, conversation, and shared understanding for everyone, whether they lived through wartime or have different life experiences.

“Hydration isn’t just about water - it’s about flavour, fun, and sharing moments. For older people, staying hydrated can boost energy, focus, and wellbeing, yet it’s something we often overlook. We believe that food and drink are more than nourishment; they’re stories waiting to be shared. This Halloween, why not turn hydration into a creative, social experience with a ‘Potion Station’? Residents and families can mix colourful mocktails, invent spooky names, and share memori

When Activity Coordinators are given the time, tools, and support they need, the results speak for themselves: residents are more engaged, staff feel more connected, and the whole home benefits from a sense of purpose and joy.

"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."

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.

Looking for a rewarding, music-based business opportunity? The Kiddleydivey franchise in Sussex is now available – offering exclusive rights, a full diary of bookings, and the chance to deliver uplifting, therapeutic music sessions to care homes across over 600 square miles. Perfect for singers, musicians, and performers ready for a flexible and fulfilling career.

Struggling to switch off after a busy day at the care home? If you're an activity coordinator juggling residents’ needs with home life, finding a healthy work-life balance is essential. In this post, we explore six simple, real-life examples, from walking the dog to setting phone boundaries, that can help you mentally leave work at work, avoid burnout, and protect your wellbeing.

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,...

As an activity coordinator, your work can be deeply rewarding, but also incredibly busy and emotionally demanding. Between planning meaningful sessions, adapting for differing needs, liaising with families, and keeping up with documentation, it's easy to get swept up in the day-to-day and forget to check in with yourself. ~ That’s where self-assessment  comes in. Why Self-Assessment is so valuable for activity coordinators Self-assessment is a powerful tool to help you: Refle

Understanding the signs of ill-being in dementia and how you can help As activity coordinators, we’re trained to bring joy, variety and...

Caroline J Benham - Founder, Bright Copper Kettles CIC If you’re new to the role of Activity Coordinator, or even just new to this  care...

As we head into the summer months, it’s easy to get caught up in the logistics of seasonal changes - hydration plans, sun protection, and...

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

How clear, accessible notes can help you switch off and avoid burnout. “I was sitting on the beach with my children when the phone rang…”...

Red Lippy May - a vibrant campaign that invites people to wear red lipstick to help raise awareness about dementia, with a special focus...

Celebrating the unsung heroes of care home life! When the day feels long, when the weather is grey, or when a resident just needs a...

I want to share some simple ways you can bring the spirit of the garden into your care home, helping residents reconnect with nature in calming, sensory-rich, and meaningful ways.

Take 5 minutes to reset If you’re reading this with a to-do list running through your head and a slight knot in your stomach, take a...

Hanging out the washing The sun is shining and the wind is blowing, there's nothing quite like this weather to make you want to embrace...

As the days grow longer and the first blossoms appear, spring offers a natural opportunity to refresh activity planning in care homes. ...

Wandering isn’t just about movement. It’s about freedom, choice, and connection. And that’s something we all need.

Being a care home activity coordinator is one of the most rewarding roles in social care, but it also comes with its fair share of...

Every activity coordinator has a group of regulars - the residents who are always up for an activity, first to take a seat, and the ones...

...in the middle of a group activity, you may find yourself in a situation where a resident becomes unresponsive.

Being an activity coordinator in a care home is one of the most rewarding jobs out there. You bring joy, connection, and purpose to...

St David’s Day (1st March) is a wonderful opportunity to bring a touch of Welsh culture into your care home. Whether your residents have...

Fostering a warm, inclusive atmosphere for both residents and staff is essential. A happy, engaged team creates a vibrant care home...

As an activity coordinator, you see firsthand how much residents thrive when engaged in meaningful activities. But ensuring everyone gets...

I don't include a section dedicated to 'dementia activities' in my Activity Coordinators Toolbox. I'm often asked "Why not?" The truth...

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

Joan celebrating 100 years (centre), Steve Bull (left), Phil Parkes (back), Steve Daley (right). On Wednesday 22nd January, Joan Davies,...

Here are five practical ways to boost your activities budget:

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

A journal is a powerful tool to capture these moments and align them with the HELPS framework

Burnout is something many Activity Coordinators face, even those who’ve dedicated years to their role. It’s challenging to give your all...

When residents are engaged, happy, and participating in activities that bring them joy, the opinions of others tend to fall into place.

Museums and heritage centres are excellent educational resources too.