Food brings people together. Whether it's choosing a favourite meal, helping to prepare lunch, baking a birthday cake or enjoying a meal with friends, cooking is an important part of everyday life at Solden Hill House.
We encourage everyone to be involved in food preparation in a way that reflects their interests, abilities and personal goals. Some people enjoy planning weekly menus and shopping for ingredients, while others prefer chopping vegetables, baking, setting the table or trying new recipes. Every contribution is valued, and every achievement is celebrated.
Having the freedom to make choices about food is an important part of living independently. We support people to express their preferences in whatever way works best for them, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to make informed decisions about the meals they enjoy.
Where possible, we use fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from local suppliers, and many of our homes also grow their own fruit, vegetables and herbs. This gives people the opportunity to experience the journey from garden to plate while developing an appreciation for healthy, nutritious food.
Alongside practical cooking skills, we help people develop confidence in kitchen safety, food hygiene, healthy eating and meal planning. These everyday skills support greater independence while encouraging creativity, wellbeing and the enjoyment of sharing meals with others.
Whether someone is making a cup of tea, preparing a family favourite or learning to cook independently for the first time, we believe every step builds confidence and creates opportunities for greater independence.
Highlights include:
Planning meals and choosing favourite recipes
Shopping for fresh, local ingredients
Preparing and cooking meals together
Baking for birthdays and celebrations
Growing fruit, vegetables and herbs
Learning food hygiene and kitchen safety
Building confidence and independence
Sharing meals as part of a welcoming home environment
Looking after ourselves is an important part of living a happy, healthy and fulfilling life. At Solden Hill House, we encourage everyone to take time for self-care in ways that reflect their own preferences, interests and personality.
For some people, that means visiting a local hair salon or barber, enjoying a manicure or beauty treatment, or treating themselves to a relaxing spa day. Others prefer a quiet afternoon with a foot spa, a favourite film, a good book or simply taking time to unwind in the comfort of home. Whatever self-care looks like to the individual, we believe it should be enjoyed, celebrated and encouraged.
We also recognise that personal appearance is an important form of self-expression. Whether someone enjoys experimenting with new hairstyles, choosing colourful nail polish, updating their wardrobe or expressing their individuality through fashion, we support people to make their own choices with confidence and pride.
Self-care is about much more than appearance. It's about promoting physical and emotional wellbeing, building confidence, encouraging independence and helping people feel comfortable in themselves. We support individuals to develop everyday routines that promote good health, self-esteem and overall wellbeing, while ensuring they always remain in control of the decisions that matter to them.
Everyone deserves to feel good about themselves, and we're proud to support people in expressing who they are while enjoying the little moments that make everyday life special.
Self Care & Wellbeing may include:
Hair appointments and barber visits
Manicures, beauty treatments and spa experiences
Relaxation sessions and home pampering
Shopping for clothes and personal style
Personal grooming and skincare routines
Building healthy daily habits
Supporting emotional wellbeing
Celebrating individuality and self-expression
Spending time outdoors has countless benefits for our physical health, emotional wellbeing and overall quality of life. At Solden Hill House, we encourage everyone to enjoy the outdoors in ways that reflect their interests, whether that's growing vegetables, caring for flower beds, enjoying wildlife or simply relaxing in the fresh air.
Our main site is set within 8½ acres of beautiful grounds, providing a wonderful environment to explore, learn and connect with nature. With mature trees, open lawns, colourful flower beds, vegetable gardens and growing tunnels, there are opportunities throughout the year to experience the changing seasons and enjoy the outdoors.
Gardening offers far more than fresh produce. It provides a sense of purpose, achievement and routine, while encouraging teamwork, creativity and social interaction. Residents work together to plant seeds, care for flowers and vegetables, harvest crops and take pride in seeing their hard work flourish over time. From the first shoots of spring to harvesting home-grown vegetables, every season brings something new to enjoy.
Across all of our homes, residents with access to gardens and outdoor spaces are encouraged to help shape and care for them. Whether planting colourful displays, creating wildlife-friendly areas, growing herbs for the kitchen or simply enjoying a peaceful moment surrounded by nature, everyone can take part at their own pace and in a way that suits them.
For those who simply enjoy being outdoors, our gardens also provide peaceful spaces to relax, socialise with friends and family, watch the birds, or enjoy a cup of tea in the sunshine. However people choose to spend their time, we believe nature has a unique way of supporting wellbeing, encouraging mindfulness and bringing people together.
Gardening & Nature includes:
Growing fruit, vegetables and herbs
Planting seasonal flowers and displays
Caring for raised beds and greenhouses
Wildlife and bird watching
Garden design and creative planting
Outdoor relaxation and mindfulness
Team gardening projects
Enjoying our 8½ acres of beautiful grounds
Learning about nature and the changing seasons