Taunton activities team celebrated for creativity and community spirit

The activities team at a Taunton care home have been recognised for going the extra mile to help residents enjoy the hobbies and passions that matter to them.

Chantal Finlayson, Activities Lead at Beauchamp House in Taunton, received the Activities Team of the Year award at Care South’s 17th annual Stars Awards ceremony. Chantal received the award on behalf of the whole activities team at Beauchamp House, which was presented by Chris Kean, Chair of Care South, and Verity McKay, Head of Marketing and PR.

The Stars Awards event brings together colleagues from across Care South’s homes and Care South at Home offices in Dorset, Somerset and North Devon to celebrate the outstanding care provided to residents and clients across the region.

The Beauchamp House team was recognised for their creativity, dedication and commitment to tailoring activities to residents’ individual interests. They had also developed strong links with the local community, regularly welcoming groups including West Hatch Beaver Scouts, Wellington Majorettes, Buckland Singers, Hatch Beauchamp Primary School and Taunton Concert Band to spend time with residents.

Chantal said: “It was a lovely surprise to win the Activities Team of the Year award. My team and I are delighted to have our work recognised in this way. I have a wonderful team, and I really enjoy my job, as each resident is different and the hobbies, interests and passions they enjoy are special and unique to them. It is also a real honour to enjoy the relationships I have built with relatives and members of the community.”

Chantal has arranged many special wishes for residents over the past year including a resident riding a horse for the first time and a big birthday party for the home’s oldest resident who turned 101, as well as events in and around the home for local residents and the community to attend including the home’s popular annual Big Band and Barbecue summer event.

Phil Smith, Care South’s Director of Residential Care, said: “Food, fun and friendship is so important to us all at Care South. Chantal truly takes her role to heart and puts so much thought and care into making sure activities reflect residents’ interests and the things they enjoy. Chantal and her team are always looking for ways to make a difference, whether that’s helping a resident reconnect with an interest from their past, fulfilling a special wish or recreating something that holds important memories for them. They thoroughly deserve this recognition.”