There’s a fine line between independence and isolation — and for many families, knowing when to seek support isn’t always straightforward.
At Willowbrook View Care Home, a new initiative is aiming to make that decision a little easier. The home has launched a Day Care Members Club, offering older people — including those living with dementia — the chance to spend time at the home without committing to full-time care.
It’s a simple idea, but one that’s grown out of real conversations. Staff say many families were unsure about residential care, while others worried that a sudden move could feel overwhelming. The day club, by contrast, offers a gentler introduction.
Guests can drop in for the day, join activities, share meals and make use of the home’s facilities — from the cinema room to the hair salon — before returning home in the afternoon.
For General Manager Mathan Balasubramaniyan, the benefits run both ways.
“These visits don’t just provide support for local families,” he said. “They also create a more vibrant and engaging home for our residents.”
The aim is to build something more consistent than a one-off service. By structuring it as a members’ club, organisers hope visitors will return regularly, forming friendships with residents and staff over time.
That sense of familiarity can make a difference — not just day to day, but in the longer term. Should a move into residential care become necessary, it’s no longer an unknown environment.
The scheme has already been widened beyond its initial focus. While it was first aimed at those receiving care at home, it’s now open to anyone in Swindon who might benefit from company or support during the day.
Andrew Winstanley, chief executive of Connaught Care Collection, said the approach reflects a broader shift in how care homes see their role.
“Our homes have always been designed as open and welcoming communities,” he said. “This allows us to extend that to people still living independently.”
A typical visit includes a warm welcome, a three-course lunch and a mix of gentle activities tailored to each guest — though organisers stress no two days are quite the same.
Early signs suggest there’s an appetite for it. Several attendees have already become regulars, and the scheme is now set to be introduced across the wider group’s homes.
For families weighing up their options, it offers something in between — not a permanent step, but not nothing either.
Sometimes, that middle ground is exactly what’s needed.
