Elgin Care Home Opens New Café to Meet Residents’ Wishes

A new café has opened inside an Elgin care home after residents said they would like more opportunities to enjoy a cuppa and catch up with friends and family.

Spynie Care Home has created the welcoming new space, Kiltie Café, in response to feedback from residents, some of whom are not always able to get out to local cafés as often as they would like.

It means they can now enjoy everything from a cup of tea and slice of cake to lunch or a speciality coffee with relatives and friends, without having to leave the home.

Designed to have the relaxed and informal feel of a neighbourhood café, it has already become a popular meeting place for residents, families and colleagues.

Visitors can sit and chat over refreshments, watch television together or simply spend time in a different environment within the home.

Colleagues at Spynie are also encouraged to buy their coffees, cold drinks and snacks from the café, with all proceeds going towards activities and wellbeing initiatives for residents.

Jamie Taylor, home manager at Spynie Care Home, said: “The idea really came from listening to our residents. Going out for a coffee or meeting somebody for lunch is something many of us take for granted, but it isn’t always as easy for some of the people we support.

“We wanted to bring that experience into Spynie and create somewhere that feels relaxed and sociable, where residents can meet their relatives and friends over a coffee and cake or enjoy lunch together.

“It has been lovely to see how quickly people have embraced it. There is often somebody sitting having a chat, watching television or enjoying a coffee, and it has brought another real sense of community to the home.

“The fact that the money raised is then reinvested into activities and wellbeing for residents makes it even more worthwhile.”

Steve Massey, operations manager at Intobeige, which operates Spynie Care Home, said: “This is a relatively simple idea, but one that can make a real difference to everyday life for residents.

“Spynie is their home and we want it to offer the same opportunities for socialising and spending time with friends and family that people would enjoy in the wider community.

“The café has created another focal point within the home and the response from residents, relatives and colleagues has been fantastic. It is particularly pleasing that every purchase also helps to support more activities and experiences for the people who live at Spynie.”