Care Home’s ‘Tea at 3’ Initiative Tackles Loneliness
In a world where everyone seems constantly busy, a local care home is taking a stand by making time for the most important thing — connection.
Hempstalls Hall Care Home is prioritising taking some time out by launching a new initiative, ‘Tea at 3,’ to encourage meaningful quality time and conversations between staff and residents.
Every Friday at 3pm, all staff at the care home pause their daily tasks to enjoy a hot drink and cake with a resident.
Home Manager of the 40-bed care home, Lisa Bailey, collects a selection of sweet treats from Greggs local bakery and brings them to the care home for everyone to enjoy.
This small yet impactful gesture aims to combat the loneliness often experienced by older adults while strengthening bonds with staff.
Recent studies show that just a short conversation can significantly improve mental well-being, making ‘Tea at 3’ a vital part of the care home’s weekly routine.
Lisa Bailey, who became the Home Manager of Hempstalls Hall Care Home in June, shared, “I’m always looking for meaningful ways to enrich the lives of our residents and support our staff in their roles.”
“This initiative is a wonderful reminder to our residents that they are always our priority, and we will always make time for them. Seeing the smiles and hearing the conversations between staff and residents fills me with joy and pride.”
Head Chef, Alison Pellington, joined in the event and shared her experience, recalling a memorable conversation with Darrell Hancock, one of the residents at the care home.
She said, “Darrell told me all about their time driving boats, and it was fascinating to hear about their adventures. It’s those stories that make ‘Tea at 3’ so special, it gives us a chance to really listen and appreciate the incredible lives they’ve lived.”
As the initiative continues to gain momentum, Hempstalls Hall Care Home encourages other care homes to adopt similar practices that prioritise engagement and meaningful interactions, reminding us that in a fast-paced world, it’s often the simple acts of kindness that make the biggest difference.
