It was an absolute pumpkin time on 26^th 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!

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.

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 – 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.

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!

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-22^nd SEPTEMBER 2025

On 22^nd 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.

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.

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.

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.

Concert at the Park Returns with Powerful Stories and Innovations in Dementia Care

The spirit of collaboration and creativity was alive and well at this year’s Concert at the Park: Sharing Best Practice in Dementia Care, where 3 local care homes: Fairview House, Torry Nursing Home, and Lethen Park came together to celebrate the power of person-centred dementia care.

This annual event, first launched in the summer of 2019 by passionate care leaders Mel (Fairview House) and Nadine (Torry Nursing Home), was created to offer a fresh platform for care homes to share what truly works, not textbook theory, but real-life, impactful practices. After a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was reignited in 2024 and continued with renewed energy in 2025, bringing together staff, residents, and community members in a joyful celebration of progress and purpose.

Fairview House: Golden Steps and Nursery Project

Fairview House presented its Golden Steps initiative, a programme designed to restore mobility and dignity through movement. A standout story featured a resident who arrived bed-bound and, through dedicated support, now walks with a Zimmer frame and recently performed a ballet routine for fellow residents and staff. The transformation was not just physical, but emotional, inspiring everyone who witnessed it.

Fairview also highlighted its Nursery Project, which uses lifelike baby dolls to evoke nurturing instincts and emotional connection among residents in the Memory Lane unit. The presence of the dolls complete with a crib and gentle routines, has had a profound impact. Residents engage in comforting behaviours such as rocking, singing, and storytelling, which can reduce anxiety, spark long-held memories of parenthood, and promote a sense of calm and purpose. Staff have observed increased verbal communication, emotional warmth, and even improved sleep patterns following interactions with the dolls.

Torry Nursing Home: Sensory Room for Comfort and Stimulation

Torry Nursing Home showcased its Sensory Room, a peaceful retreat designed to soothe and stimulate residents through light, sound, scent, and touch. With fibre optic lighting, calming music, aromatherapy, and tactile objects, the room offers a multi-sensory experience that helps reduce anxiety and agitation. Residents often emerge from the space visibly more relaxed, with improved mood and focus making it a vital part of their holistic care approach.

Lethen Park: Garden Therapy in Full Bloom

Lethen Park shared the success of its Garden Project, where residents actively care for the garden, planting herbs, watering flowers, weeding, and enjoying the fresh air. The garden is more than a scenic escape; it’s a therapeutic space that encourages routine, independence, and social interaction. Residents find joy in nurturing the plants, reminiscing about past gardens, and simply sitting among the greenery. The sensory richness of the outdoors has been shown to reduce stress, improve sleep, and enhance overall wellbeing.

Concert at the Park continues to grow as a beacon of innovation and heart in dementia care. It’s a reminder that when care homes come together to share what truly works, lives are transformed—not just for residents, but for families, staff, and the wider community.

We would like to thank JM for the fantastic music performance and the Duthie Park management for the perfect venue for this event!