NATIONAL CAMPAIGN · 2026

Year of Culture
Toolkit
Last updated: 24 August, 2026

Meaningful Visits: A Guide for Friends and Family

Practical guidance and activity ideas to help friends and family create meaningful, enjoyable visits with loved ones living in care homes.

Format: PDF

Visibility: Free for all

Introduction

This guide supports friends and family to make visits more meaningful, enjoyable and person-centred. It offers practical advice on preparing for visits, communicating with care and activity teams and creating positive experiences that support connection, wellbeing and shared memories.

It also includes a wide range of activity ideas to help make time together feel relaxed and engaging, including music, reading, life story work, dining together, gardening and other shared experiences.

About this resource

Category

Toolkit

Audience

Activity Provider Activity Team Friends and Family Whole Team

Topic

Activity Planning Activity Provider Activity Provision Family Friends and Family