Newmarket Care Home Residents Reignite Racing Passions

For residents at Brampton Manor Care Home in Newmarket, a recent trip to Newmarket Racecourse offered more than just an afternoon out — it brought cherished memories back to life and reconnected them with a part of the town’s cultural heartbeat.

Residents, accompanied by members of the Brampton Manor team, travelled to the racecourse to enjoy a live day of racing. The idea for the trip came directly from conversations in the home, where several residents shared their lasting fondness for the sport. For many, horse racing has been part of their personal histories — whether through owning horses, working in stables, or simply enjoying it as spectators over the years. In Newmarket, the spiritual home of British racing, these memories run deep.

Through Brampton Manor’s established relationship and the generosity of The British School of Racing, the team were able to secure tickets and organise a safe, supported visit that brought those memories to life in the best way possible: surrounded by the sound of hooves on turf and the hum of the race day crowd.

Barbara Harley, one of the residents who attended, said:
“I love watching the racing on TV, but when I heard we were going to see it live, I really wanted to give myself the chance to experience it again. It didn’t disappoint.”

For the Brampton Manor team, the outing was part of a wider commitment to ensuring residents continue to feel connected to the people, places and experiences that have shaped their lives. The trip was made even more special by the warm weather and uplifting atmosphere, which brought a sense of joy and familiarity to the entire group.

Home Manager Akhi Goswami reflected on the importance of the day:
“What we do is about far more than care — it’s about understanding what matters most to the people who live here and finding meaningful ways to support that. For many of our residents, racing has been part of their story. Giving them the opportunity to return, to feel the excitement again, and to share that with one another, is incredibly powerful. It’s something they’ll talk about for a long time.”

Danny Harris, Admissions Manager at Brampton Manor, added:
“There was a real energy throughout the day. Seeing our residents light up in that environment, talking about old times, recognising names and colours, smiling in the sunshine, those are the moments that remind us why we do what we do.”