Helping New Residents Find Their Place at Westerton

There's no doubt that moving to a care home is a huge transition, and we understand that it can feel difficult to find your place in a new home. When one of our new residents, Richard, first arrived at Westerton, he preferred spending time on his own. After meals, he would return to his bedroom to relax, enjoy his newspaper, or watch a good film. While he appreciated the staff stopping by for a chat, he wasn’t keen on joining group activities or socialising with fellow residents.

Marie, one of our activity team members, recognised that Richard needed time to adjust. She regularly took the opportunity to pop in for a chat before planned activities, gently encouraging him to give something new a try. Richard often politely declined, but this gave Marie a chance to get to know him better. Over time, their conversations revealed something that brought a twinkle to Richard’s eye—his fondness for a pint at the Esquire House pub.

Taking this as a chance to reconnect Richard with something familiar, Marie suggested an outing. With careful planning, she and Richard took the train together to the Esquire House, where Richard was warmly welcomed by pub staff who had known him for years. Sitting with his favourite pint, catching up with familiar faces, Richard seemed truly at ease.

Back at Westerton, Richard still enjoyed his quiet time, but Marie was still keen to encourage him to join in with the activities that interested him. Speaking with Richard’s daughter-in-law, she learned more about his love for family quiz nights—a tradition he’d carried on for years when hosting dinners at home. Inspired by this, Marie arranged a “Ladies vs Gentlemen” quiz within the care home and invited Richard to join.

At first, Richard hesitated, taking time to think it over. Residents have complete autonomy over what they want to do at Westerton but we were thrilled that Richard decided to give it a go—and what a decision it turned out to be. Not only was he part of the winning team, but he enjoyed the camaraderie and fun so much that it sparked a change. Since then, Richard has been a regular face at the home’s quizzes and even admitted he’s glad he decided to take part.

Stories like Richard’s remind us how meaningful connections and patience can help residents settle into their new home. By taking the time to understand his past interests and creating opportunities that felt familiar, Marie helped Richard rediscover the joy of shared moments—and, perhaps, a new sense of belonging.

At Westerton, we understand that everyone adjusts in their own time, and we are here every step of the way to help residents feel comfortable, supported, and at home. If you'd like to know more about how we support new residents who make Westerton their home, please get in touch.