Getting Active | Explore Walks in Hastings this November
Are you looking to help your elderly loved one stay active this November?
With an array of beautiful walks and trails, Hastings is the perfect place to take a seasonal stroll.
If you’d like to help an older parent or loved one get their steps in this month, keep reading to discover some of the best walks in Hastings:
Walks in Hastings | Hastings Country Park Short Circular
If you’re looking for nice, easy walks in Hastings, then look no further!
Hastings Country Park Short Circular is a 2.6km circular trail consisting of generally flat terrain, making it accessible for all.
Those with an adventurous spirit can keep trekking west along the coast to visit Fairlight Glen Beach, which is a short distance away.
If you’re looking for the perfect spot to take your loved one at Mountside Care Home, this is definitely a route to consider.
Walks in Hastings | Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve
Comprising picturesque coastal views, Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve is a sought-after location for hiking, excursions and walks in Hastings.
The nature reserve is home to outstanding natural beauty and sloping inclines. It also overlooks tumbling hills, lush green spaces and a stunning, pebbled beach.
Those bringing elderly loved ones should note that it is a ‘challenging’ route. It takes approximately 3 hours 49 minutes to complete in full, and has rocky terrain in places.
We recommend bringing appropriate footwear and practising caution when raining. The slopes can get fairly muddy and slippery!
Discover the Alexandra Park Tree Walk
Situated around the corner from our Mountside Care Home, the Alexandra Park Tree Walk is one of the most idyllic walks in Hastings.
The 140-year-old public park covers approximately 109 acres of the town. Known for its stunning arboretum, many consider it to have one of the best tree collections in the UK!
For those scoping out less challenging trails, the Alexandra Park Tree Walk is the perfect spot for a seasonal, accessible stroll. It’s also wheelchair user-friendly, and provides good disabled access.
Explore the Stade Trail
Located in the heart of Hastings Old Town is ‘The Stade'. Deriving from the Saxon word ‘landing place’, The Stade comprises a shingle beach, used for beach-landed fishing boats.
The area offers a unique ‘Stade Trail’, consisting of eight information boards. History buffs can read through to discover the expansive maritime history of Hastings.
For those wishing to take a break from walking, there’s plenty to explore in its surrounding area. We recommend paying a visit to the iconic Fisherman’s Museum. Here, residents can enjoy Hastings’ rich heritage through a selection of photos, crafted model boats and other maritime memorabilia.
At our Mountside Care Home, we offer residential, respite and dementia care to help transform the lives of others.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the care we provide at ACI Mountside, or trails, hikes and walks in Hastings, please contact a member of our team.
Days Out in Hastings | Mountside Care Home's Afternoon Tea Experience
At ACI Care, our core focus is to help our residents lead happy, fulfilling lives.
One way in which we achieve this is by collaborating with members of our local community to facilitate excursions and fun days out in Hastings.
This month, we were delighted to receive a complimentary afternoon tea experience for four of our wonderful residents, gifted by the Bannatyne Spa Hotel Hastings.
Days Out In Hastings: Trip to Bannatyne Spa Hotel
Four residents at our Mountside Care Home, a branch of ACI Care that specialises in residential, respite and dementia care, were recently treated to an exclusive afternoon tea experience at Bannatyne Spa Hotel Hastings.
The luxury spa hotel gifted the experience to residents Gillian (86), Sam (82), Richard (74), and Carolyn (68), who have forged a strong friendship within our home. The group redeemed the experience on World Smile Day, where they delighted in the delectable treats served up at the hotel’s unique Maxine’s restaurant.
Days Out In Hastings: World Smile Day
The trip to Bannatyne Spa Hotel Hastings coincided with the nationally-celebrated World Smile Day, which is celebrated every year on the first Friday of October.
This year, World Smile Day had a theme of “do an act of kindness, help one person smile” - something we at Mountside Care Home feel very strongly about.
Showcasing the importance of random acts of kindness, we were delighted by our residents’ response to the trip, with several saying it was one of their favourite days out in Hastings.
Random Acts of Kindness: Bannatyne Spa Hotel
Staff at the Bannatyne Spa Hotel Hastings were delighted to do a random act of kindness for our residents.
Speaking of the gifted experience, Daniella Rollison-Best, Deputy General Manager of the Bannatyne Hotel Spa Hastings, said: “An act of kindness is something anyone can give and will make a difference in all of our lives. Bannatyne Hotel and Spa are delighted to be able to support this within our local community.”
Days Out In Hastings: The Importance of Excursions
At Mountside Care Home, we consider care home outings vital to the well-being of residents. Activities such as organised days out in Hastings promote a sense of independence and freedom, alongside providing an opportunity to meet and interact with individuals within the community.
Discussing the importance of excursions, our well-being coordinator of almost 9 years, Shelagh Hazleton, said: “We were delighted to be approached by the Bannatyne Spa Hotel Hastings to arrange a complimentary gift for our residents in celebration of World Smile Day.
“At Mountside Care Home, arranging activities and excursions both inside and outside of the home for the residents to enjoy is an important part of our culture of care.
“For the past couple of years, this has been difficult for us due to the restrictions imposed by COVID-19. Now though, we like to take our residents to church weekly, alongside facilitating walks around the local area and organising days out in Hastings.
“We plan lots of events using the facilities we have. We’re lucky to have a lovely garden, so we often hold our events outside (weather permitting, of course!) and we’re now able to invite friends and relatives, which helps our residents feel like a part of the community and improves their physical and mental wellbeing.”
Building a Community: Future Events at Mountside Care Home
We’re consistently organising fun activities and outings for our residents to enjoy, especially as we venture into a post-pandemic landscape.
Looking to the future, we at Mountside Care Home hope to continue planning fun activities, innovative events and community days out in Hastings.
If you’re interested in finding out more about fun activities in Hastings, alongside what we can offer your loved one at ACI Mountside, please contact a member of our team.
Activities in Hastings | Fun Things to do
Are you looking for some fun activities to do with family and friends as the weather gets cooler?
Then look no further; we’ve compiled some of our favourite activities in Hastings for family and friends to enjoy, irrespective of age.
Activities in Hastings: Alexandra Park
Nestled within a picturesque valley and 44 hectares in size, a visit to Alexandra Park is one of our favourite activities in Hastings.
Open to the public park and located in the town centre, the park offers something for everyone, comprising an array of wildlife, statues, streams and reservoirs.
Situated just several metres from Mountside Care Home, the 140-year-old park is the perfect location for a stroll in the great outdoors, enabling residents and their loved ones to breathe fresh air and connect with surrounding nature.
The beloved green space provides good disabled access, offering a dedicated fishing area and designated parking space for wheelchair users.
Activities in Hastings: Old Town Hastings
Set between two cliffs serviced by funicular railways and oozing with character, the charming Hastings Old Town is a wonderful destination for a trip outside the home.
Offering an extensive range of coffee houses, antique bric-a-brac stores and quirky, independent shops, the Old Town is one of the most popular activities in Hastings, making for a memorable family day out.
Before heading back to the care home, residents can select from one of the world’s largest collections of fish and chip shops to indulge in a nostalgic British treat, serving as the perfect end to the day.
Activities in Hastings - Hastings Fishermen's Museum
This suggestion is for individuals fascinated by all things maritime! Initially opened in 1956, the Hastings Fishermen’s Museum is a small independent museum dedicated to the fishing industry and maritime history of Hastings in East Sussex.
Venturing indoors, families can see and visit the deck of the last Hastings’ sailing lugger, Enterprise, built in 1912, enjoy a large display of photographs and pictures and see the perfectly crafted model boats, alongside many other interesting objects.
The museum’s small souvenir shop is packed with a variety of memorabilia, fossils and gemstones, cards and local history books – perfect for residents to bring back to Mountside Care Home as a treasured memento of the day.
Hastings Beach
With views overlooking a stunning seafront, Hastings Beach is a must for those seeking a relaxing, seaside excursion.
The beach offers a good expanse of sand as the tide goes out - ideal for beach games and even better for sandcastles! Residents and their loved ones can enjoy a picnic, a paddle in the sea or a stroll down the promenade.
However, if you’re visiting in the autumn months, we definitely recommend wrapping up in lots of layers to stay warm.
Blackbrooks Garden Centre
For those seeking different activities in Hastings, we encourage families to pay a visit to our favourite flower emporium: Blackbrooks Garden Centre.
Just a 15-minute drive from our Mountside Care Home, the idyllic garden centre stocks a wide range of unique and quality plant stock from trusted local growers.
Blackbrooks is also home to a restaurant comprising dishes made from locally-sourced, fresh produce. For those with a sweet tooth, the restaurant offers an afternoon tea brimming with delectable delights.
The garden centre is family-friendly and allows dogs too, offering the perfect place for you to enjoy quality time with all your loved ones.
If you’re interested in finding out more about fun activities in Hastings, alongside what we can offer your loved one at ACI Mountside, please contact a member of our team.
Visiting Hastings | 6 Places to Discover in Our Local Area
Are you looking for places to explore when you’re visiting Hastings?
A beautiful town with a rich history, Hastings is an idyllic place for your loved one to spend their time in care. It has everything they’ll need right on the doorstep, and is situated along the Sussex coast.
So, when you’re visiting Hastings with your loved one, why not use this handy guide to discover the best places to explore?
Visiting Hastings: Explore the Many Museums
Hastings has a long and complex past, playing an important role in the history of Britain. To cover as many aspects as possible, the town has a plethora of museums, including The Fishermen’s Museum, Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, and the Shipwreck Museum.
Through these, you can discover all you need to know about the coastal town, from its fishing and maritime history to the many shipwrecks of the English Channel.
Discover the 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield
The infamous Battle of Hastings in 1066 is an important part of British history, and one of the most well-known battles.
Visit the English Heritage site to learn about that fateful day when two armies fought for the throne of England, and how the towering Abbey came to be.
Visiting Hastings: Discover Old Town Hastings
When visiting Hastings, we recommend you take a wander through the Old Town.
The cobbled and quirky streets are lined with an array of mismatched buildings, some wonky and some framed with timber, and each with its own unique character.
There are plenty of pubs and restaurants nestled between the two cliffs that tower over Hastings, ensuring you have plenty to do during your visit with your loved one.
Visiting Hastings Pier
Hastings Pier has certainly stood the test of time. Originally constructed in 1872, the pier has been closed down, caught fire, and hosted music legends such as Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd.
Following a community effort combined with the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Hastings Pier reopened in 2016 with modern features and facilities, whilst preserving its history at the core of its existence.
Be sure to take a stroll to the end of the pier and soak up the sounds, sights and smells of the traditional English coast.
Visiting Hastings Aquarium
Hastings Aquarium is a wonderful place to visit with your loved one on a rainy day. The indoor centre is home to a host of different animal species, including Thornback Rays, Blacktip Reef Sharks and a Giant Pacific Octopus.
The aquarium places high value on its conservation efforts, and you can learn more about reducing your carbon footprint, protecting the oceans and supporting wildlife during their informative talks throughout the day.
Take a Stroll Through Alexandra Park
Alexandra Park is a delightful spot to visit with your loved one. The park spans an impressive 44 hectares, stretching for 2.5 miles through the heart of Hastings town.
Featuring wooded areas, large bodies of water and an arboretum, the beautifully maintained gardens are idyllic for a stroll and a picnic.
There’s a cafe and toilet facilities, as well as sports grounds and play parks for the younger family members, ensuring the whole family is entertained.
So, if you’re visiting Hastings with your loved one, be sure to check out these wonderful places, where you can explore the beautiful town whilst enjoying quality time together.
Contact a member of our team to find out about our care services, or head to our website to book a tour.
Our Sussex Care Home | Reconnecting With Our Neighbours
Are you looking to reconnect with your local community?
Forging meaningful relationships has become an important aspect of maintaining your mental health, particularly following the pandemic.
Read on to discover how Mountside, our Sussex care home, brightened up our local community by hosting a summer BBQ:
Our Sussex Care Home: Organising a Community BBQ
During the summer, our staff at Mountside Care Home decided to host a fun family BBQ to rebuild community links and create friendships between residents and locals.
Organised by our talented carers and home chef, Stephen Avery, the event included delicious culinary delights of burgers, sausages and lamb kebabs that had everyone going back for seconds.
Followed by a lively performance from a fantastic Elvis tribute, the event put a smile on the faces of all of our guests, creating a friendly atmosphere and some wonderful lasting memories for our residents.
Sussex Care Home: The Response From Our Community
The summer BBQ was open to all and included guests such as Margi O’Callaghan, the deputy mayor of Hastings. As well as this, the families of the residents and a collection of the locals banded together to raise spirits after the pandemic.
Margi said: “I was invited to Mountside today by a lady named Shelagh who lives near me in Silverhill. As deputy mayor of Hastings, I thought it would be a great idea to attend the BBQ.
“I was pleasantly surprised at what I saw; I felt as if I had stepped into a café rather than a retirement home. Everyone had a wonderful time and I’m really pleased to have been invited.
“I think community events in residential care settings are extremely important, especially after the last couple of years spent in lockdown due to Covid-19. The BBQ was an excellent way of opening the community back up, enabling residents to see more people and begin enjoying life again.”
Our Feedback on the Summer BBQ
Here at ACI Care, we were delighted by the effort made by our Sussex care home to forge and maintain friendships amongst the community, inviting guests into the home and creating a fun environment for our residents to enjoy.
Ravi Sodha, our director here at ACI Care, said: “At Mountside, we strive to keep our residents entertained to allow them to lead fulfilling lives, and believe events like these are an excellent way of achieving just that.
“Following the unprecedented outbreak of Covid-19, we were keen to start reintegrating our residents with the local community, as we believe this greatly improves resident morale. Overall, the open BBQ was a huge success and we hope to host similar events in the near future.”
If you’re interested in finding out more about our Sussex care homes and what we can offer for your loved one, take a look at our website.
Exploring the History of Sussex | Discovering Our Local Area
Here at Mountside, we feel privileged to be located in such a beautiful part of the UK.
Sussex is a popular seaside destination, thriving with tourists, fishing communities, events and attractions. Perhaps the biggest pull of all though, is its extensive and interesting history.
Read on to find out more about the history of Sussex:
The History of Sussex: The First Settlement
Sussex has been an integral part of UK history for many years. There is evidence to suggest that it has been inhabited for at least 500,000 years, thanks to the discovery of the oldest human fossil ever to be found in Britain.
Tools have also been found around Sussex, dating back 35,000 years, suggesting that the county was once populated by Neanderthals.
The South Downs are home to Neolithic flint mines that date to 4000 BC, whilst other parts of Sussex have links to the Iron and Bronze ages.
The Romans conquered Sussex in AD 43, and remained there until the 5th century, when migrants from (what is now known as) Germany moved in, and created the kingdom of the South Saxons.
They expanded to include Hæstingas (now known as Hastings) which is, of course, our Mountside hometown.
The History of Sussex: 1066
Perhaps the most well-known aspect of Hastings’ history is the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It was during this battle that French-Norman William the Conqueror defeated King Harold Godwinson, as they fought over the land.
The first Norman King of England, William the Conqueror, ruled until his death in 1087. His legacy lived on through his changes to the church, aristocracy, culture and language of the country.
The Recent History of Sussex
In more recent history, Sussex was a pivotal location in the movement of ‘sea bathing”, which became fashionable among the wealthy (for health purposes) in the late 18th century. Dr Richard Russell of Lewes is said to have started popularising the act of ‘going to the beach’, and before long, they built resorts in Hastings, Brighton, Bognor and Worthing.
Soon after, in the 19th century, agricultural conditions worsened, and Sussex experienced high levels of unemployment. This became the trigger for riots in Kent and Sussex, lasting for several weeks.
To learn more about the history of Sussex, why not visit the Hastings Museum and Art Gallery?
Frontline for the World Wars
With its ideal positioning by the sea, Sussex was integral in the World Wars, but became one of the most frequently bombed sites.
There are many areas you can visit today that signify the war, such as the memorial at RAF Friston, a bunker in Cuckmere Valley and the Seaford trenches.
Exploring Hastings With Your Loved One
If your loved one is living here at Mountside, why not make the most of the location and take them on a day out, exploring all that Hastings has to offer? It’ll provide the perfect opportunity to spend quality time together, whilst discovering the rich history of Sussex.
If you’d like to know more about our care services, please contact a member of our team.
Care Homes in Sussex | How to Know When a Family Member Might Need Support
How do you know if your loved one needs to move into a care home?
There are many factors to consider when planning for your loved one’s future. Our care homes in Sussex understand the enormity of the decision you have to make when it comes to their care.
That’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide to help you better understand your loved one’s needs:
Care Homes in Sussex: Watch for Signs of Forgetfulness
Forgetfulness can affect us all, but when we approach our older years, it can also be an early warning sign of dementia.
If you notice that your loved one's forgetfulness is becoming more frequent, or you notice unusual patterns in their behaviour, then you might find it helpful to arrange a GP assessment for them.
Even in the very early stages, dementia can take its toll on everyone affected. You may find that your loved one feels more comfortable in a secure, supervised environment, such as a care home. On the other hand, you may find that they're not quite ready for this, but having a plan in place can help make the transition easier.
Loss of Mobility
To live comfortably in their own home, your loved one should be able to move around safely and with ease.
If their mobility is deteriorating, it may be a good idea to see a GP who can check for any underlying health conditions. It's also important to consider the risks that may arise if your loved one continues to live alone.
At this point, it's a good idea to start thinking about your loved one's long-term care plans. If you think a care home setting would be best for them, try to start looking at a few different options - but make sure to include your loved one in decisions made wherever possible.
Care Homes in Sussex: Reducing Loneliness
If your loved one doesn’t have family nearby, moving into a residential care home can often be a wonderful choice. They’ll be around a group of like-minded individuals, who will soon become friends. They can spend plenty of time taking part in activities, socialising and enjoying meals together.
You may find that moving into one of our care homes in Sussex is just the tonic your loved one needs for improving their mental health.
Is Your Loved One Safe?
Safety is an important element of independent living. If you feel it might be compromised by your loved one living alone, it may be time to consider residential care.
This can offer peace of mind for all involved, knowing that your loved one is in safe hands, surrounded by love and care.
Does Your Loved One Struggle, Even With Help?
If your loved one is unable to manage everyday tasks, such as cleaning, cooking, and personal care, they might benefit from moving into one of our Sussex care homes.
You can start by employing regular help from a carer, but if they're still finding it difficult to manage, and you’ve exhausted all other options, residential care can offer excellent support for your loved one.
Care home staff will help your loved one maintain their independence so, even though they have access to round-the-clock care, they’re encouraged and supported to do as much as they can for themselves.
Sussex Care Homes: Deteriorating Health
If your loved one’s health is in decline, it can make it difficult for them to live alone.
Our Sussex care homes offer complete care for residents, from residential and respite to dementia.
So, if your loved one has deteriorating health, has had a fall, or is being discharged from hospital, we’ll welcome them into one of our homes and enable them to live a happy, comfortable and fulfilling life.
To find out more about any of our Sussex care homes, please contact a member of our team.