Scottish Care is delighted to share an inspiring story from Birch House in Peterculter, Aberdeen, where resident Pauline recently completed the Race for Life, which is a remarkable personal achievement.

Pauline first expressed interest in taking part in the Race for Life in May 2024. However, with only a few weeks until the event and no time to train, the team at Birch House encouraged her to aim for the June 2025 race instead, giving her a full year to prepare.

Living with ataxia and using a walking stick, Pauline took on what she describes as one of the hardest challenges she has ever faced. She committed herself to a year of training, with regular exercise and going on long walks at least three times a week to build up her stamina and strength.

The team at Birch House actively promote positive risk-taking, encourage residents to push through barriers, and foster a mindset focused on growth, wellbeing and achieving goals. On race day, Pauline was cheered on by ‘Team Pauline’, a supportive group including fellow residents Laura Will and Matthew Watt, Support Worker Pimjuta McNamara, and Deputy Manager Kasia Grimble. The team all wore t-shirts with the message: “Support Squad – You Are Not Alone.”

Pauline proudly crossed the finish line and shared,

“It was hard, but it felt good to go through the finishing line.”

She raised £320 for Cancer Research UK, a cause that means a great deal to her. Her close friend Alison is currently undergoing treatment for bowel cancer, and Birch House’s Home Manager is a breast cancer survivor. Pauline wanted to give back to an organisation that helps so many affected by cancer  and now wears her medal with pride around the home.

 A huge well done to Pauline and the team at Birch House. All of us at Scottish Care are incredibly proud of you!

At Abercorn House Care Home, meaningful moments often start with small acts of kindness, and the inspiring story of Marion and Alice is no exception.

Earlier this month, the sisters began volunteering together at the Salvation Army Charity Shop in Hamilton, turning a shared experience into something truly special. What began as a simple weekly commitment is now blossoming into a growing community initiative, with more residents set to join them.

Read on to discover how this beautiful act of giving back is strengthening family ties, building community connections, and bringing purpose and joy to everyone involved.

At Abercorn House Care Home, we are proud to support meaningful opportunities that enrich lives of our residents, and the story of Marion Conquer and her sister Alice is a beautiful example of that spirit.

On 9^th of July 2025, Marion and Alice began their journey as volunteers at the Salvation Army Charity Shop in Hamilton, following their induction. Together, they now volunteer once a week, sorting through jewellery and helping with pricing, a small act with a big impact.

For Marion, this isn’t just about volunteering, it’s about staying connected to her faith, her community, and most importantly, her sister. For Alice, it’s a chance to spend precious time with Marion in a meaningful way. Their shared experience is strengthening their bond and bringing purpose and joy into their week.

What makes this story even more special is that more residents from Abercorn will soon be joining them in this wonderful initiative, turning this act of kindness into a growing circle of community involvement and connection. Recently welcoming another resident, Drina to take part, below are pictures from their latest volunteer day.

We are incredibly proud of Marion and Alice and excited to see how this small, heartfelt act continues to blossom, touching not only their lives but the lives of those around them.

We’re delighted to share a heartwarming good news story from Diamond Home Assist, a support company and valued Scottish Care member based in West Lothian. Led by registered manager Emma Hurry, their weekly ‘Shine’ social inclusion group is making a real difference in the lives of those they support.

Held every Wednesday morning, Shine offers a welcoming space for service users to come together through their 1-to-1 support, meet others in the community, and take part in a range of fun and meaningful activities. From conversation and creativity to connection and confidence-building, Shine is all about bringing people together in a supportive, inclusive environment.

Read on for an article from Emma to see how this small group is making a big impact.

Shine (Bright Like a Diamond): A Celebration of Connection, Growth, and Joy

In June 2024, we proudly launched Shine (Bright Like a Diamond)—a social inclusion group created to bring our Diamond service users together in a welcoming, supportive space where lasting friendships and meaningful connections could blossom.

From the very beginning, Shine has offered a vibrant mix of weekly activities designed to spark creativity, build confidence, and develop key life skills—all while ensuring our service users remain in 1-to-1 support. Whether it’s a lively game of bingo, a morning of crafting, dancing to favourite tunes, or a relaxing round of dominoes, every session is filled with smiles, laughter, and a sense of belonging.

Each week, we introduce something new to keep our sessions fresh and engaging. We’ve gone on Easter egg hunts to build observation and numeracy skills, held sports days that encourage teamwork and coordination, and introduced new colouring sheets every week—a clear group favourite!

In fact, research shows that colouring can be a powerful tool for reducing stress and anxiety. It’s not just fun—it’s healing. Just ask Kirsty, one of our incredible service users, who proudly shows off her colourful creations and sunflower made with support from our team.

Our celebrations go beyond weekly sessions. We’ve hosted unforgettable Halloween and Christmas parties, filled with fun, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Halloween saw our service users in their spookiest costumes, enjoying apple dooking, “donut on a string,” and dancing the Time Warp.

For Christmas, DJ Disco John (a talented service user) kept the dance floor alive with music, while party games, a festive buffet, and a surprise visit from Santa made the season even brighter.

But the true magic of Shine lies in the remarkable personal transformations we’ve witnessed.

One young woman with a learning disability struggled deeply with emotional regulation and social interactions when she first joined. She expressed discomfort with anger and outbursts, often shouting at staff or acting out physically. One difficult moment involved her hitting another woman with a trolley simply because she felt overwhelmed and didn’t know how to communicate it

Today, she greets others with warmth and kindness, using polite language and asking for space when needed. She’s even taken on a caring role, looking after another group member with Down Syndrome—offering her a drink, making sure her wheelchair fits comfortably at the table, and singing alongside her during karaoke. Her growth in empathy, emotional control, and communication is extraordinary.

Another remarkable story comes from a 59-year-old service user with a severe learning disability, living independently in the community. When he first joined Diamond, he suffered from deep loneliness and anxiety, which led him to pick at his skin and furniture. All he wanted was to “make friends.” Now, he arrives at Shine every week with a cheerful hello for everyone. His anxiety has decreased dramatically, and he’s no longer self-harming or damaging his home. Instead, he’s our beloved karaoke star, lighting up the room with his joyful rendition of “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!”.

Week after week, Shine has become more than just a group—it’s become a community. A place where friendships are forged, laughter is shared, and growth is celebrated. The positive changes we’ve seen in our service users have been nothing short of inspiring.

We are endlessly grateful to our dedicated and compassionate staff, whose care and commitment make Shine possible. Looking ahead, we hope to grow this beautiful community even further — welcoming more service users, adding new ideas, and creating even more opportunities to celebrate individuality, achievement, and the power of human connection.

At Shine, everyone is welcome, and everyone shines.

Abercorn House Enhances Resident Wellbeing Through Virtual Reality

At Abercorn House Care Home, innovation and compassion go hand in hand. As part of their continued commitment to enhancing the lives of their residents, the team is proudly embracing Virtual Reality (VR) to create enriching, personalised experiences for residents.

Whether it’s sparking memories, providing sensory stimulation, or simply offering moments of peace and joy, these immersive experiences are making a meaningful difference. VR sessions are tailored to residents’ interests and needs, allowing each individual to engage in ways that feel familiar, exciting, or soothing.

The initiative reflects Abercorn’s wider commitment to enhancing wellbeing through innovation, creating not just a place of care, but a space of opportunity, curiosity, and connection.

A huge well done to the Abercorn team for leading the way in innovative care proving that the future of wellbeing is both high-tech and deeply human.

Celebrating Love, Diversity and Community- Abercorn’s Pride Party 2025

At Abercorn House, care is not just about support- it’s about belonging. This year, the team proudly hosted a vibrant and meaningful Pride Party, bringing together residents, families, and staff to celebrate the beauty of inclusion, identity and joy.

The home was transformed into a colourful space of love and laughter, with rainbow flags, decorations and the warmest of smiles lighting up every corner.

The day featured:

A resident, staff and families fashion show, where people of all ages strutted with confidence and style, cheered on by proud families and friends.

Live singing and dancing, sparkling happy tears and laughter as everyone got involved.

Heartfelt entertainment, where music bridged generations and filled the home with unity.

What made this celebration so powerful was not just the rainbow colours or fabulous fun- it was the sense of connection. Residents expressed feeling valued and uplifted, especially those who have seen decades of change in how love and identity are embraced.

Families commented on how beautiful it was to see a care home truly living its values-where inclusion is not just a policy but a way of life. Staff led with love, our residents shone with pride, and together, we celebrated every person for exactly who they are. This event is just one example of how Abercorn continues to build a culture where everyone belongs. Residents aren’t just cared for- they are seen, heard and celebrated. Abercorn hopes that their celebration inspires other homes to keep flying the flag of dignity, respect and love for all.

Fife’s First Care focused Africa Day Celebration Shines a Spotlight on Culture, Community, and Care

Alyson Vale from Abbotsford Care , Audrey MacFarlane from Oran Care. Paul Dundas, Fife Independent Sector Lead and Rachel Payne from Bandrum Nursing Home put on a really successful Africa day celebration on 25^th May 25 at Abbotsford Head Office in Kirkcaldy. It was a vibrant event that brought together social care professionals, community members, and partners to honour the rich cultural heritage of African communities working across Fife.

Attendees from each organisation gathered for an afternoon of authentic cuisine, uplifting music, and cultural exchange. The event was designed to foster cross-cultural understanding, celebrate diversity within the care workforce, and strengthen local community ties. The event was put on by the organisations and was free to all staff and their families

Lynne Garvey,  Chief of Fife Health and Social Care was also in attendance. She gave a moving address:

“Africa Day was a celebration of people, pride, and passion. Our international staff bring not only skill and compassion to our services, but also a deep cultural richness that benefits everyone in Fife.”

Guests were treated to traditional dishes prepared by local cook Joy, which attendees described as “a taste of home” and “simply unforgettable.” The event also featured music and personal stories, creating a warm, inclusive atmosphere that resonated with everyone present.

Key Outcomes of Africa Day 2025:

• Increased awareness and appreciation of African cultures in the workplace
• Stronger bonds between staff and the local community
• A platform for representation and dialogue around diversity and inclusion

Plans are already underway to expand next year’s celebration, with ambitions to involve more local organisations and build educational opportunities into the programme.

“The energy and joy were contagious,” said one attendee. “It wasn’t just an event—it was a statement of unity and respect.