Residents at Ashton Manor Care Home in Lancaster set off on a global tea journey this week, sampling flavours and traditions from eight different countries as part of a themed “8 Sips Around the World” experience.
Marking Global Tea Party Day, the care home was transformed into a series of cultural stops, with teas and accompanying snacks representing each destination. Short videos introduced each country, helping residents connect flavours with places, memories and new discoveries.
The experience was designed to offer real choice. Residents moved through each “stop” at their own pace, some drawn to familiar tastes, others keen to try something different, comparing favourites and sharing their reactions as they went.
The event celebrated the diverse backgrounds that make up the Ashton Manor community. By exploring different cultures, the home highlighted the importance of recognising that every resident, regardless of their care needs, is an individual with a unique history and a range of preferences.
“At Evermore Care, we believe that living in a care home, or a diagnosis of dementia, should never mean a narrowing of someone’s world,” said Joanne Tyson, Home Manager. “Our Global Tea Party was about providing choice and agency. Residents were reminiscing about past travels and experiencing new flavours, our goal was to encourage curiosity and enjoyment.”
The “8 Sips” initiative underscores Ashton Manor’s commitment to person-centred care. For those living with dementia, sensory experiences such as the smell of spices or the visual impact of different environments can be powerful tools for engagement and enjoyment. By offering a range of choices, from which tea to try, which video to watch, or which snack to savour, the event enabled residents to take the lead in how they engaged.
The success of the global tea party has sparked a new wave of cultural exploration at the home, proving that when it comes to providing a high quality of life, the world is truly our oyster, or in this case, our teacup.
