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Activities and music at The Aldbury

Activities and music form part of everyday life at The Aldbury. A dedicated Companionship Team supports this area of the home, ensuring opportunities are present without becoming obligation. Members of the team receive dementia-focused training so they understand how cognitive change can influence concentration, mood and engagement. 

For people living with dementia, participation is closely linked to recognition, repetition and comfort. Familiar songs, shared routines and small group activity can support emotional wellbeing and reduce agitation. Residents choose how they spend their time, whether that means joining regularly, occasionally or simply observing. 

Planned with wellbeing in mind 

How activities fit into daily life

Activities are shaped around the residents who live at The Aldbury rather than following a fixed programme. The Companionship Team pays close attention to individual preferences, energy levels and moments in the day when someone feels most receptive. 

Sessions are structured to be easy to join and easy to leave. Smaller groups help prevent overstimulation, and support is available so participation feels manageable rather than demanding. As someone settles into life here, gradual changes in engagement are often seen, and these shifts are noticed and supported carefully, without pressure. 

 

Activities calendar

Each home maintains a weekly activities planner, coordinated by the Companionship Team and informed by residents’ interests and feedback.

The calendar reflects the rhythm of the home. It may include music sessions, small group activities, outings, visiting performers, community visits or time set aside for quieter interests. Some residents join regularly. Others dip in and out.

Planners are reviewed and adjusted as preferences change. Residents are asked what they would like to see included in the weeks ahead, and activities evolve accordingly.

You can download an example planner below to see how daily life is structured in one of our homes.

View current calendar

Supporting mood, memory and connection 

Music as part of daily life

Music plays a consistent role in daily life at The Aldbury. Listening sessions, familiar songs and small group singing reflect the preferences of the people who live here. 

Familiar music can prompt recognition, encourage movement and support conversation. At certain points in the day, music may also be used to help maintain a calm atmosphere or provide reassurance during transitions. Residents may sing, tap along, listen quietly or simply remain present. 

Strengthening how music is used 

Professional leadership in music and arts

Music and creative activity at The Aldbury are supported by Colten Care’s Music and Arts Partner, who works across our homes to strengthen practice and ensure consistency in how music and arts are used. 

This professional oversight helps ensure that music sessions are structured thoughtfully, with attention to pace, group size and song choice so that residents living with dementia remain comfortable and engaged. Teams are guided in how to use music effectively not only in planned sessions but also in everyday moments. 

Accessible and paced appropriately 

Creative and meaningful activity

Creative activities are offered in ways that feel manageable. Materials, pace and group size are adjusted so residents can take part without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. 

Some residents revisit long-held interests such as painting, writing or craft. Others find comfort in simple hands-on activities that provide structure and familiarity. The aim is not productivity, but engagement at a level that feels natural and achievable. 

 

Maintaining community connection 

Time beyond the home

For residents who enjoy spending time outside the home, outings are arranged with careful attention to familiarity, comfort and accessibility. These may include short visits within Winchester and the surrounding area, parks, cafés or community events, planned in ways that reduce overstimulation and support confidence. 

The Aldbury maintains relationships with local schools, charities and community groups. Residents are able to remain part of the city they know, with connection supported in ways that feel manageable and reassuring. 

Children and young people in the home 

Connections across generations

The Aldbury maintains regular contact with local schools and nurseries. Children visit to read, sing, take part in shared activities or spend time alongside residents in small, relaxed groups. 

For people living with dementia, these visits can prompt recognition, encourage conversation or simply bring warmth into the day. The atmosphere shifts gently when younger voices are present, often creating moments of connection that feel natural rather than staged. 

These are not formal occasions. They are part of everyday life within a home organised around familiarity and calm. 

 

Talk to us about daily life

If you would like to understand more about activities, music and how residents spend their time at The Aldbury, our team will be pleased to tell you more about how life unfolds day to day.

Speak to the home team
01202 746752
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