Care home residents raise a glass to revamped in-house ‘pub’

Residents at a residential care home for people with learning disabilities in Petersfield, are giving three cheers to celebrate their newly refurbished in-house ‘pub’.

Tilmore Gardens offers residential care and support for 10 adults who have a range of learning disabilities and complex needs. Staff wanted to ensure that residents felt included in all aspects of life at the service, including supporting those who wanted to spend an evening together at the pub, in the same way other adults would, but who didn’t feel comfortable in busy and bustling local pubs.

Back in 2018, staff created an in-house ‘pub’, to help residents enjoy the same experience as other pub-goers, from within their own home. Residents named it the Tilmore Arms, and staff served non-alcoholic beer and soft drinks. Over time, the fixtures and fittings had become tired and worn, until the Tilmore Gardens team recently decided to revamp it, to restore its appeal and make it an inviting space for the residents once again.

The refurbishment was carried out by Tilmore Gardens’ caretaker, Jason Baker, and Care and Support Worker, Mandy Todd. The residents had input on how the finished space would look, including the new Tilmore Arms welcome mat and the communal dart board, giving it a proper traditional pub feel. Some residents also helped with decorating, including painting a large octopus-themed mural which now takes pride of place on the wall.