Autumn Bulletin 2025

This Year’s Autumn Bulletin is Here!

Our latest edition is now available online, packed with insightful updates, valuable information, and inspiring stories from across the social care sector.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your feedback or suggest topics for future issues by contacting us at [email protected].

Read the bulletin here

Pumpkin Carving Fun at Abercorn House Care Home

It was an absolute pumpkin time on 26th October as Abercorn residents, families and staff teamed up for some pumpkin-carving madness!From spooky faces to “what exactly is that?” creations, everyone brought their best carving game (and a whole lot of laughter).

Mary and her family joined in the fun, spreading smiles, helping with designs and probably sneaking a few pumpkin seeds along the way! Meanwhile, our amazing staff rolled up their sleeves to help other residents carve their masterpieces proving that teamwork really does make the dream pumpkin work!

The room was filled with laughter, creativity and the sweet smell of autumn spirit. Whether the pumpkins ended up scary, silly or somewhere in between, every one of them had something special just like the people who made them!

Autumn Adventures at Abercorn House Care Home

Abercorn House Care Home residents had a fantastic day out at Valley View, enjoying some pumpkin picking, autumn treats and even feeding the ponies! There were smiles all around as everyone chose their perfect pumpkin to bring home for decorating.

It was an extra special day for Margaret, who experienced her first-ever pumpkin picking trip, and she said it was “a day I’ll never forget”.

Days like these remind us how wonderful it is to make memories together, full of laughter, friendship and the simple joys of the season.

Digi Bites – AI for Care Providers

Digi Bites is a series of online lunchtime learning sessions for Scottish Care members, part of our Year of Active Membership.

AI for Care Providers
How to start making AI work for your care business – safely, simply, and effectively

Tuesday 11th November, 12.30 – 1.30pm (previously scheduled for the 12th)
With Dave Mance, Frank Care Marketing

You probably know that AI could make a big difference to your care business – but where do you start?

This practical, no-jargon session will give you an introduction to using AI in social care, including:

  • How to stay safe and compliant
  • How to supercharge your marketing
  • How to create a board of AI experts for finance, ops and marketing advice
  • How to save hours every week by using AI tools in daily operations

This webinar is for:

  • Care leaders who know AI matters but aren’t sure where to begin
  • Marketers drowning in content creation
  • Operations staff who want to simplify training, policies, and compliance

In this action-focused session, you’ll see:

  • 5 real-world AI use cases that save teams hours every week
  • Quick wins for recruitment, training, and operations that you can try this week
  • A live demo where we create standout marketing content together in 3 minutes (vs 30 minutes manually)

Everyone will get a free AI prompt library and safety checklist to take away. And up to five people can book a free one-on-one follow-up session.

No techie knowledge needed. We’ll keep it practical, relevant, and rooted in the real-world challenges of care.

Details in the Members Area.

Manifesto 2025 Session 7: Taking Reform from Ambition to Action

Session 7: Taking Reform from Ambition to Action

Thursday 23 October 2025, 1:00 pm

This seventh and final session concludes our impactful seven-part series exploring the Scottish Care Members’ Manifesto: The True Cost of Care – A Call to Action.

Together, we’ve built momentum toward placing social care at the forefront of the 2026 Scottish parliamentary elections. Now, we turn ambition into action.

In this closing session, we’ll revisit the key themes from previous discussions and collaboratively shape the Manifesto’s core demands. Our focus will be on:

  • Transforming ideas into actionable strategies
  • Defining clear, measurable outcomes
  • Ensuring the voice of social care drives meaningful change

This is your opportunity to help finalise a bold, united vision for the future of care in Scotland.

Open to all Scottish Care members, please register via the Members Area of this website.

Manifesto 2025 Session 6: Care That Cares For the Planet Too

Session 6: Care That Cares For the Planet Too

Tuesday 21 October 2025, 1:00 pm

This sixth session in our seven-part series continues the momentum of the Scottish Care Members Manifesto: The True Cost of Care – A Call to Action.

In this session, we’ll focus on Sustainability and green practices in care settings, co-designing two key asks from Scotland’s social care sector. Our discussion will advocate for:

  • A resilient social care system that is environmentally sustainable
  • Practices that actively reduce ecological impact while delivering equitable, efficient, and climate-conscious care for all

This is an opportunity to shape the future of care by championing sustainability, innovation, and justice in how social care is delivered across Scotland.

Open to all Scottish Care members, please register via the Members Area of this website.

Oomph! App brings Laughter & Connection at Abercorn House

BRINGING LAUGHTER AND CONNECTION THROUGH THE OOMPH! APP AT ABERCORN HOUSE CARE HOME

Abercorn House Care Home are always looking for new ways to bring smiles and meaningful engagement to our residents. Recently, they introduced the Oomph! Activity App, an exciting initiative from Sanctuary Care designed to enrich lives through fun, interactive and stimulating activities.

The app gives residents access to thousands of activities right on the television or tablet, from gentle exercise classes and quizzes to music sessions, reminiscence games, and even virtual tours around the world. One of the most popular has been “The Price is Right”, where residents guess the cost of everyday household items. The room fills with laughter, friendly competition, and nostalgic conversations about “how things used to be.”

“It makes me feel like I’m on TV!” one residents said with a smile, while another added, “It brings back such good memories, and it’s such a laugh trying to guess the prices!”

Staff have noticed how much the app encourage interaction and builds confidence, especially among residents who might not always take part in group sessions. It also helps staff tailor activities to each resident’s mood, interest, and ability, making every session personal and meaningful.

By embracing digital innovation like the Oomph! App, Abercorn continues to live out Sanctuary Care’s mission to enrich lives every day, creating joy, laughter and connection for our residents.

Abercorn Care Racing Team

Abercorn Care Racing Team – A Virtual Driving Adventure

On 14th September, five residents from Abercorn House Care Home joined the Abercorn Care Racing Team for a thrilling virtual driving experience! With a gaming console and steering wheel set up, residents had the chance to get behind the wheel once again, and the smiles and laughter said it all.

For some, it was a nostalgic return to the joy of driving; for others, an exciting new challenge. The room was filled with cheers, conversation, and shared excitement as technology brought a fresh sense of fun and connection.

This activity is a wonderful example of how digital experiences can support engagement, wellbeing, and joy in care settings, keeping residents connected to the things they’ve always loved.

Abercorn House Pottery Fun

Pottery Fun with SOC – Creativity, Connection & Clay

On 1st October, residents from Abercorn House Care Home enjoyed a wonderfully creative day out at the Supporting Our Community (SOC) office, where they took part in a hands-on pottery session led by the talented Anna and Lorna. With clay in hand and smiles all around, residents crafted vases ranging from elegant masterpieces to delightfully quirky “mystery art projects.”

The session was filled with laughter, snacks, and a real sense of achievement. It sparked joyful memories, encouraged new conversations, and gave residents a chance to express themselves in a relaxed, welcoming space. The impact on confidence and wellbeing was clear—and because it was such a hit,  residents will be returning in two weeks to paint their very own creations.

We can’t wait to see the finished pieces and share more moments of creativity and connection!

A Family Adventure at the Falkirk Wheel – Abercorn House Day Out

Residents from Abercorn House Care Home enjoyed a joyful day out with their families at the iconic Falkirk Wheel, please read below from Abercorn House Home Manager, Rowena Alferos.


A FAMILY ADVENTURE AT THE FALKIRK WHEEL-22nd SEPTEMBER 2025

On 22nd September, our residents has a wonderful day out with their families! Supported by our Activities Team, they visited the Falkirk Wheel and enjoyed a scenic barge trip together.

Rojane and Marion brought along their sons, Hugh was joined by his daughter, and Mary came with our team, and her loyal stuffed dog, who never left her side! The sun was shining, picnic lunches were enjoyed by all, and laughter filled the air.

It was a truly special day, seeing our residents connect with their loved ones, make happy memories and simply enjoy each other’s company. Moments like these remind us why creating meaningful experiences for our residents is at the heart of everything we do.