Seaside trip rekindles treasured memories for our residents

The smell of salty sea air, the feel of warm sand beneath their feet and the taste of traditional fish and chips rekindled cherished childhood memories as residents enjoyed a nostalgic day trip to Southend-on-Sea.

Our home’s dedicated lifestyle team regularly uses our minibus to organise meaningful outings that encourage residents to reconnect with treasured memories while supporting wellbeing through reminiscence, sensory experiences and community engagement.

Lifestyle coordinator Marie, care assistant Beata, and minibus driver David accompanied a group of residents for the seaside visit. They spent the day strolling along the promenade, feeling the sand between their toes, searching for seashells and watching families enjoy the sunshine before rounding off the outing with traditional fish and chips followed by ice creams overlooking the beach.

For each resident, the visit revived different memories – from wartime childhoods and carefree days out with friends to family holidays with their own children, proving that some places never lose their special connection.

Gerald Hilary, aged 85, moved into The Spinney in 2025. He said: “I love a day at the beach. When I was a little boy the country was still at war and when my family home was bombed we relocated to Hastings, so I spent lots of time at the seaside.

“As a teenager and a young man, I would go to Southend for days out with friends. We would take a picnic and eat on the beach. Southend has changed a lot over the years, but it still feels the same in many ways – the excitement of seeing the sea and feeling the sand between your toes.”

Glennis Rowbury, aged 77, who is currently staying at The Spinney for respite care, said: “Oh it was wonderful to enjoy the sunshine and eat fish and chips on the promenade. I had such a great day.

“My parents would take me to Southend when I was a small child, but it’s changed a lot since then. Marie helped me to pick shells on the beach, something I remember doing as a little girl all those years ago!

“Southend is a lot cleaner now and there are more things to keep the kids entertained with the arcades.”

Peggy Cannon, aged 91, has been a resident at The Spinney since 2022. She said: “As a little girl I would visit my auntie in Southend as she used to live near the stadium.

“Then as an adult I took my three daughters there regularly when they were little.

“I have such lovely memories of Southend, and even at 91 I still love an ice cream at the beach!”

Marie Garvey, lifestyle coordinator at The Spinney, added: “Their time at the beach brought back fond memories of their own childhoods, and they recalled wonderful stories of seaside holidays with their children.

“Familiar sensations such as the feel of sand between their toes, the texture of seashells, and the smell of salty sea air can often spark happy nostalgia and conversation, which is especially helpful for those with memory loss or dementia.”

The home regularly organises outings tailored to residents’ interests, helping them remain active, connected to their local community and creating opportunities to relive treasured memories while making new ones together.

Located on Forest View in Chingford, The Spinney Care Home offers residential, specialist dementia and end of life care.