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.

Go4Gold 2025 Awards Ceremony

We’re delighted to share the official video of the Go4Gold 2025 Awards Ceremony, launched on 1 October to mark the International Day of Older People. This year’s Go4Gold challenge was inspired by the Highland Games, with care homes and day centres across Perth & Kinross taking part in a range of fun, inclusive physical and wellbeing activities. From creative caber tosses to themed celebrations, the event was full of energy, laughter, and connection.

Go4Gold is a joint initiative from Perth & Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership and Scottish Care, first launched in 2012 to promote physical activity, wellbeing, and community spirit among older people. After a long pause since 2019, this year’s ceremony proudly features our first live events, with over 70 people participating in person and more than 400 individuals involved overall.

The video is now available to watch on YouTube, feel free to enjoy it anytime and share it with anyone who’d love to see the joy and creativity of our care communities in action.

MasterChef joins Blanefield House Care Home

Lisa Addison , Former MasterChef Contestant, joins Blanefield House Care Home as Head Chef, bringing restaurant level training and nutrition expertise to enhance meals for the elderly 

A former MasterChef contestant has taken a pivotal role in elder care cuisine, joining Blanefield House Care Home as Head Chef. Lisa Addison, a familiar name to viewers of the BBC’s culinary competition, is now applying her expertise to improve the dining experiences for residents in Blanefield.

A familiar face to many locals, Lisa brings a wealth of experience in nutrition, caregiving, and community-minded leadership with a passion for healthy, flavourful, and nutritious meals. She previously worked as a carer, giving her firsthand insight into the unique dietary needs of older adults. At Blanefield House, she leads the kitchen team in designing menus that meet medical requirements while presenting restaurant quality meals in a care setting with thoughtful plating, colour balance, and appetising presentation while maintaining practicality and accessibility.

When asked about her appointment at Blanefield, Lisa said,

“I was running a successful private dining business as well as a domestic cleaning business, however when approached by Bobby, the care home manager, I was immediately interested in the job because of the passion she showed for the home and the residents, a further meeting with the managing director Puja, and it was an easy decision to close my two businesses and take the Head Chef job, Puja is so passionate about the kitchen being the heart of the home and that was when the decision was easy. Everything is cooked fresh every day, we have deliveries from the finest local suppliers regularly, it’s a dream job for any chef. Puja, Bobby and every single member of staff have been so welcoming, and I’m in a job where appreciation is shown regularly, and Puja is such a hands-on owner. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for the Residents of Blanefield House and the kitchen.”

Puja Poddar, Managing Director, says:

‘Lisa’s appointment aligns with a growing emphasis on nutrition-led and comfortable dining experience for our service users. Lisa provides nutrition first menus with texture modified options when needed, tailored to individual health needs. With her input and dedication to her role, our residents and families are able to enjoy themed dining experiences and storytelling to enrich the dining environment. Lisa’s blend of culinary excellence and care experience could set a benchmark for similar services in Scotland. Her leadership is expected to influence not only menu development but also staff training and family communications around dietary plans.’ 

Beyond the kitchen, Lisa is a proud mother of five and a dog lover with three dogs, attributes that underscore her community-oriented approach. When not in the kitchen, Lisa enjoys cooking, football, and giving back to the community.

Finalists Revealed for the 2025 Care Home Awards!

We’re delighted to reveal the finalists for this year’s Care Home Awards!

A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to submit a nomination – and a massive congratulations to all our incredible shortlisted finalists!

Join us as we celebrate their achievements at the Awards Ceremony, hosted by Michelle McManus and Dr Donald Macaskill, on the evening of Friday 14 November 2025 at the Hilton Hotel, Glasgow, following the Care Home Conference.

Anne’s Law Consultation Survey

Consultation survey on Anne’s Law (The Care Home Services (Visits to and by Residents) (Scotland) Regulations 2026)

Background

Following the experiences of care home residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, Scottish Ministers committed to making a law to ensure that people living in adult care homes can stay connected with their loved ones. That law is known as Anne’s Law, in memory of Anne Duke, and was enacted in July 2025 as part of the Care Reform (Scotland) Act. This law requires regulations and a code of practice to guide how it will work in practice. The regulations will tell care home providers what their new duties and responsibilities are.

The survey

The Scottish Government would like your feedback on the draft regulations to make sure these are clear and practical. The survey is open to everyone. It will be particularly relevant for care home providers, staff, care home residents and their family and friends, and professionals working in the social care sector. The survey presents the draft regulations and asks you questions about them. Some of the wording of the regulations is based on the Care Reform (Scotland) Act and cannot be changed but where things are unclear further explanations and examples can be included in the code of practice.

Here is the link: Anne’s Law Regulations Survey

On average, the survey will take around 20 minutes to complete and will close on Friday 17 October.

If you have any questions relating to the survey please get in touch via the following e-mail address: [email protected].

Easy Read

An Easy Read explanation document has been produced to accompany the survey. This is to support people who have a learning disability or other condition affecting how they process information, or just need a bit of extra support to access the survey. It can be used by carers or family and friends to help individuals to share their views. Please contact the email above if you would like a copy of the Easy Read explanation document or if you require any additional support in completing the survey.

Ready for Regulation: Equipping Today’s Care Workforce – 29 Oct 2025

Invitation to Join a Scottish Care and Care Inspectorate joint Event

Ready for Regulation: Equipping Today’s Care Workforce

🗓️Wednesday 29th October 2025
🕤 9:30am – 3:30pm
📍 Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow

Social care regulation through inspection activity is important to support care providers and the ongoing improvement of care services in Scotland.  Current sector challenges and pressures have increased the need for collaborative working between care organisations and the Care Inspectorate.  This is to ensure important standards of care are maintained whilst appropriately supporting an overstretched workforce.

Scottish Care’s Workforce Matters is delighted to invite you to a one-day event bringing together social care providers, regulators, and workforce leaders to explore how regulation is shaping – and will continue to shape – the future of the social care workforce in Scotland.

This event offers a valuable opportunity to:

  • Gain insight into current and emerging Care Inspectorate regulatory approaches
  • Explore self-evaluation as a driver for service improvement
  • Hear directly from the social care workforce and contribute to a discussion around the provider experience of inspection
  • Engage with the Care Inspectorate on future regulation, workforce trends, and safe staffing obligations
  • Participate in interactive sessions and a panel discussion with Scottish Care members

Please note: While this is a free event, cancellations must be made by 22 October. Non-attendance without notice or late cancellations will incur a £25 fee to cover catering costs.

Download the programme here

Book your place here

Ready for Regulation Programme V1 (1)

Manifesto 2025 Session 5: Building Future Ready Care Systems

Scottish Care Members’ Manifesto 2026 – A Call to Action

Session 5: Building Future Ready Care Systems

Tuesday 14 October 2025, 1:00 pm

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

We’ll focus on co-designing two key asks from Scotland’s social care services, advocating for:

  • Resilient, tech-enabled care systems that anticipate future challenges
  • Technology that enhances human connection and compassionate care

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

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

Manifesto 2025 Session 4: Fund Care Like It Matters, Because It Does

Scottish Care Members’ Manifesto 2026 – A Call to Action

Session 4: Fund Care Like It Matters, Because It Does

Tuesday 7 October 2025, 1:00 pm

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

We’ll focus on co-designing two key asks that ensure Scotland’s social care services are:

  • Strategically funded for long-term sustainability
  • Resourced to deliver high-quality, person-led care

This session is an opportunity to shape the future of care by advocating for meaningful investment, financial fairness, and recognition of the true value of social care.

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

Silverburn Care Home Expands to Meet Complex Care Needs

At Scottish Care, we’re proud to share stories that reflect the heart of social care. Known for its commitment to quality care, Silverburn is now entering a new chapter that’s not just about improvement, but about transformation driven by people, please read more below:


Silverburn has always been known for the quality of its care. What makes this moment special is not just the scale of improvement but the way it has come about. This is not about investing in things that look good on the surface. It is about building, together, a stronger foundation for people, care and community.

This whole journey came to life because of the will of owners, colleagues, residents and families to come together and take the next steps for the home. The investment has always been about people first, ensuring staff feel supported, families feel reassured, and residents feel truly at home.

A Mission Shared by Many

Our mission is simple but powerful: to be a home where every moment matters, every memory is cherished, and every day brings joy.

Together with colleagues, residents and families, we shaped our values to bring this to life:

  • We make moments that matter, where every interaction brings comfort, connection and joy.
  • We adapt and support, ensuring that as needs change, we are always ready to be there.
  • We make care a shared journey, walking alongside those we support with kindness and understanding.
  • We strive for growth every day, always learning, improving and finding new ways to make life better.
  • We make Silverburn a home, a place of warmth, trust and belonging for everyone who walks through our doors.

This is more than words in a brochure. It shows how listening and working together creates a home that is renewed, but always true to what makes Silverburn special.

Listening and Acting

Silverburn has always valued feedback. Now, with our new Feedback Station, that commitment is easier than ever. Residents, families and visitors can share their thoughts at any time, and reports go straight to decision makers every week. That means compliments are celebrated, suggestions are acted on, and concerns are resolved quickly, often before someone leaves the building.

Care here is not static. It grows stronger because we listen.

A Happy Home

The changes at Silverburn are more than an investment in a building. They are an investment in people. They celebrate the dedication of care staff who give so much of themselves every day, and they create the conditions for residents to live not only safely, but happily.

Silverburn shows that when you put care first and invest where it matters most, you do more than improve a home. You create a home shaped by its community, a happy home for residents, for families, and for the people proud to work here.

Boiler Plate

Silverburn Care Home is dedicated to creating a happy home where every moment matters. Guided by our values of compassion, connection and growth, we provide personalised care that evolves with the needs of our residents and families. From our new Complex Care Suites to our investment in staff training and development, everything we do is shaped with the people who matter most – residents, families and care staff. Silverburn is a place where the voices of those who live and work here shape the kind of happy home it continues to be.