Pensioners in care home get their own PUB to boost their social lives

Pensioners at a care home are taking a ‘sip’ down memory lane – after bosses built an on-site PUB to boost their social lives.

A communal room has been converted into a traditional boozer complete with wood panelled walls, dart board and genuine vintage beer adverts.

Elderly residents can play dominoes, read newspapers from the 1940s and reminisce about old times as they sip their favourite tipple.

Carers at Grevill House in Cheltenham, Glos., hope the venue will boost interaction between residents and even help jog the memories of dementia sufferers.

Manager Joe Caine said: “Over the weekend it really attracted quite a crowd, with people coming and sitting and reminiscing with their visitors.

“We are always looking for ways to sort of have a different perspective on things.

“Care homes can have this dowdy, clinical image and we are trying to make it more relaxing, alternative and amusing.

“Anything that helps people to feel better, moving away from traditional routines and practices.”

He said that the pop-up pub was particularly soothing for dementia sufferers, helping them to open up about their past.

“Anything that gets people talking is good,” he said.

“The pub has created a very nice social scene. It is very evocative when you stand there, you forget you are actually in a care home.

“For the older people, it can make them feel as if they are somewhere else.

“Seeing the smiles on the faces and to see them chit-chatting is a great experience for us.”

Resident Kay Pepper, 88, celebrated her birthday at the pop-up pub on Saturday.

She said: “They’ve just opened it and I think it’s a great idea.

“I used to love going to the pub and my favourite tipple was a gin and tonic.

“I had a bad fall recently, so I can’t walk at the moment, so I am glad I can get a drink here. It’s a lovely idea.”

The pub furniture and decorations were bought from company Rempod, which specialises in creating ‘reminiscence rooms’ in care homes.