Community Comes Together at the Big Green Picnic in Southampton
Published: 07/07/2026
A Summer Afternoon of Music, Friendship and Community
On Thursday 2 July, clients, families, residents and members of the local community came together for the annual Big Green Picnic at Templeton Place Care Home in Nursling, Southampton. The Big Green Picnic is a national initiative supported by Dementia Adventure, encouraging older people to spend time outdoors, enjoy meaningful activities and strengthen connections within their local communities.
More than 50 people attended the afternoon, including seven clients supported by Right at Home Solent. Residents, family members and members of the Nursling Men's Shed also joined the event, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere where everyone could enjoy good company, live entertainment and time together.
The Big Green Picnic celebrates the importance of bringing people together. Events like these give older people the opportunity to stay socially connected, enjoy a change of scenery and take part in activities that encourage conversation, laughter and new friendships. For many of our clients, having the support of a Care Assistant made it possible to enjoy the afternoon alongside friends, family and members of the local community.
;)
A Wonderful Afternoon at Templeton Place
Templeton Place Care Home provided the perfect setting for the afternoon and made everyone feel welcome from the moment they arrived. Guests were treated to live entertainment from a talented singer, whose familiar songs had many people singing along, smiling and reminiscing throughout the afternoon.
There was a real sense of togetherness from start to finish. Guests spent time chatting over refreshments, catching up with familiar faces and meeting new people. The relaxed atmosphere encouraged conversations to flow naturally, with music and laughter filling the garden throughout the event.
The refreshments were just as popular. Freshly baked scones with cream, strawberries and chocolate sauce were served alongside ice creams, which proved to be a favourite on the warm summer afternoon.
Outside, guests enjoyed a selection of lawn games, with the giant game of Kerplunk becoming one of the day's favourite attractions. One of our clients, Ashley, especially enjoyed the game and loved carefully pulling out each stick, bringing plenty of smiles to those around him.
Each table also featured a sensory basket filled with familiar objects and tactile items for guests to explore together. Shells, bubbles, sensory putty, stress balls, toy animals and photographs of local landmarks from the 1930s through to the present day encouraged conversation and sparked memories. Many people shared stories about places they remembered, creating simple but meaningful moments between clients, residents, families and visitors.
The raffle was another highlight of the afternoon, raising £160 thanks to the generosity of everyone who took part. Templeton Place also kindly donated a beautiful hamper, which was won by one of the residents and warmly celebrated by everyone in the room.
The afternoon also created opportunities for new conversations. After seeing the positive impact that spending time together can have, one resident's sister spoke with our team about companionship care for her brother. It was a reminder that community events can often help families discover the support available to help loved ones remain independent at home.
;)
Alison's Reflection
“It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying themselves together. Our clients loved meeting new people, joining in with the activities and simply spending time chatting with everyone. A big shout out to all the Care Assistants who brought their clients along, to Templeton Place for being such fantastic hosts and for the delicious scones, and to our clients and their family members for making the afternoon so special. We are already looking forward to doing it all again next year.”
– Alison | Office Manager, Right at Home Solent
Looking Ahead
Community events like the Big Green Picnic demonstrate the positive difference that spending time together can make. An afternoon of music, games and conversation may seem simple, but these shared experiences help older people stay connected, build confidence and continue enjoying the communities they know so well.
At Right at Home Solent, supporting people to remain active in their local community is an important part of the personalised care at home we provide. Helping clients attend events, spend time with others and continue doing the things they enjoy contributes to their wellbeing while supporting them to live independently for longer.
A sincere thank you goes to Templeton Place Care Home for hosting such a wonderful afternoon, to the talented singer for providing the entertainment, to the Nursling Men's Shed for joining the event, to every Care Assistant who accompanied our clients, and to our clients, their families and everyone who helped make the day such a success.
The Big Green Picnic is a great example of what can be achieved when local organisations work together to create opportunities for older people to stay active, connected and involved in their community. We are already looking forward to next year's event and another afternoon of friendship, laughter and shared memories in Southampton.