The Importance of Including Care Home Residents in Staff Celebrations

Case Study: Ambleside Bank Care Home

At Ambleside Bank Care Home, we believe that a true sense of community comes from celebrating life’s special moments together. Whether it’s a birthday, an anniversary, or a staff milestone, every occasion is an opportunity to bring joy, connection, and belonging to everyone in the home.

Recently, Ambleside Bank found a unique way to celebrate two special staff events — Kiera’s Baby Shower and Maria’s Bridal Shower — by actively involving residents in the celebrations. What began as simple staff gatherings quickly became heartwarming examples of how inclusion can enhance wellbeing, dignity, and togetherness in a care home setting.

Kiera’s Baby Shower: A Celebration of New Beginnings

When Kiera, one of our dedicated care assistants, was expecting her first baby, the team wanted to make her baby shower truly memorable. Instead of keeping it a staff-only event, residents were invited to join the celebration — and they jumped at the chance!

Residents helped with decorations, shared words of wisdom from their own parenting experiences, and even created handmade gifts for the new arrival. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, storytelling, and the kind of genuine warmth that can only come from shared joy across generations.

By including residents, the baby shower became more than just a workplace celebration — it was a moment of community connection that honoured both Kiera’s exciting future and the residents’ rich life experiences.

Maria’s Bridal Shower: Sharing Stories and Wisdom

Maria, one of our senior care workers, was also recently celebrated as she prepared for her wedding day. Once again, residents were warmly invited to take part.

As tea and cake were shared, residents reminisced about their own wedding days — with stories ranging from romantic proposals to decades of happy marriage. There was plenty of humour, heartfelt advice, and even a few tears of joy.

This intergenerational sharing turned Maria’s bridal shower into something truly special. It reminded everyone that celebration is a universal language — one that connects people of all ages and backgrounds.

What We Learned

These inclusive celebrations offered valuable insights into the positive impact of resident involvement in everyday life at Ambleside Bank:

• Inclusion fosters dignity and self-worth, recognising residents as individuals with their own life stories to share.

• Shared joy bridges generational gaps, reducing isolation and strengthening community bonds.

• Flexible participation ensures everyone can take part — whether by contributing, reminiscing, or simply enjoying the atmosphere.

• The emotional rewards outweigh the practical challenges of organising inclusive events, leaving lasting memories for everyone involved.

Celebrating Life Together

The experiences of Kiera’s Baby Shower and Maria’s Bridal Shower show how small changes in approach can have a big impact. By including residents in staff celebrations, Ambleside Bank Care Home continues to build a culture of warmth, respect, and shared happiness.

After all, care homes are more than just places to live — they are vibrant communities where every life, story, and milestone is valued and celebrated together.