Bedhampton care home launches ‘Day Care Members Club’ offering short-term respite for local families
Recently, Portsdown View care home in Bedhampton launched a new ‘Day Care Members Club’ to support older people in the local community, including those living with dementia and families caring for loved ones at home.
The project allows participants to spend the day at the home socialising with residents, making use of the home’s facilities, and receiving specialist support from staff.
The idea for the scheme emerged from conversations between staff and local families exploring care options for their relatives. Some said they were unsure whether residential care would be the right fit, while others worried that moving straight into an unfamiliar environment could feel overwhelming. The day club offers a way for people to dip their toe into life at the home without committing to a permanent move.
Pippa Mafunga, General Manager of Portsdown View, shares her thoughts: “We’re so pleased to be opening our doors to more members of the community who might benefit from a bit of ‘R&R’ away from home. We've found these visits don't just provide valuable support for local families – they also create a more vibrant and engaging home for our residents as well. Already we’ve seen a few new friendships begin to blossom, and our full-time residents couldn’t have been more welcoming of the new arrivals.”
Structured as a Members Club, the initiative aims to create a welcoming and familiar environment where guests can return whenever they feel the need for additional care or companionship. Rather than simply attending a one-off service, participants are encouraged to become genuine members of the community by building friendships and maintaining contact with the residents and staff over time.
Since launching, the service has also been expanded to include anyone in Bedhampton who may benefit. This includes older adults who live independently but would welcome more social contact, as well as people living with dementia who are supported at home by a family member or spouse.
Recognising that both groups – and their families – could benefit from an occasional ‘home away from home’, the team decided to make the service available to anyone in the local community who may find it helpful.
Andrew Winstanley, CEO of the Connaught Care Collection, said: “Our homes have always been designed as open and welcoming communities, and the Day Care Members Club allows us to extend that approach to older people who are still living independently. For guests, it offers companionship and exceptional care during the day, while for families it provides reassurance that their loved ones are being supported in a safe and comfortable environment. By helping guests become familiar with the home, we hope it will also make any future move into residential care feel like a natural next step”.
A typical day at the Members Club begins with a warm welcome, offering tea, coffee, biscuits, and freshly baked cake. The morning features gentle activities that support wellbeing and encourage social interaction. Guests then enjoy a three-course lunch prepared by the home’s hospitality team, followed by afternoon activities tailored to their interests and abilities. The day concludes with a traditional high tea before guests return home later in the afternoon.
However, no two visits are exactly the same. Activities are planned around the needs and preferences of each guest, and participants may also use facilities within the home such as the hair salon, beauty room, cinema and other shared spaces. The aim is to ensure that each guest enjoys a distinctly different experience during their visit.
The project has already proved very popular locally, with several guests becoming regular fixtures at Portsdown View. Indeed, the initiative has been such a success that it is being rolled out across all six homes in the Connaught Care Collection.
To learn more about the Day Care Member's Club, please visit https://connaughtcare.co.uk/care-services/connaught-care-day-care/. You can also contact [email protected], or call 02393 882154.