Residents at an award-winning care home in Abingdon have been inspired to get creative thanks to a popular community book club held at the home.
The monthly event at Bridge House Care Home on Thames View brings residents, their families and members of the local community together. They enjoy author readings, interviews, Q&A sessions and book-themed discussions by a variety of authors and they have even enjoyed a book launch.
Bridge House Care Home has 71 en-suite bedrooms and offers residential, nursing, specialist dementia care and palliative care. The Book Club takes place in the home’s Riverly Club, a leisure facility which offers a fitness suite and spa, bistro, cinema and events for residents and older members of the community.
“I love the Book Club and meeting the authors,” resident Gwenda Feates, 93, said. “I think everything to do with writing and stories is fascinating.”
“I enjoy reading and Book Club is so interesting,” resident Denise Thomas, 88, added. “I love it when the authors tell us how they come to decide what to write about.”
The Book Club is supported by Oxford Independent Authors and 1in200.uk – a company that helps independent authors become published and featured in independent bookshops.
The collaboration with Bridge House came about through the home’s ‘Friends of Bridge House’ initiative. This pioneering project aims to build relationships within the Abingdon community and has forged more than 70 partnerships with local businesses and community groups, ensuring that residents remain actively involved in local life.
Inspired by the sessions, many residents expressed an interest in writing their own stories, leading to the introduction of creative writing groups at the home.
“For me writing down memories of childhood and times gone by is important, as I can pass them on to my family,” Gwenda explained. “I have so many memories from the war years and, despite it being a hard time, many of them are fond memories. I really enjoy sharing these stories about being a child evacuee.”
“I write about Cambridge because I grew up there, did my education there and got married there!” Denise said.
Joining them in the creative writing group is resident Jean Underwood, 94, who loves taking part in word games at the home.
“I take every opportunity to write notes and cards” she said. “Words are my thing and I’ve written poetry in the past. I’d like to write a book about Abingdon as I have lived here my whole life and know a lot about it.”
One of the Book Club’s highlights was hosting a book launch for “Ruff Justice” last year, by local Author Laury Conn, who returned to visit the residents again this year. Laury co-founded 1in200.uk, with Colin Wade, who has also given talks to the group. Many of Colin’s crime novels are set in Oxford, which the residents have particularly enjoyed learning about.
Lifestyle & Riverly Club manager, Chantelle Merritt, said, “Our Book Club is a wonderful thing, and the residents really enjoy it, there are lots of smiles throughout the sessions. We love that family members and members of our Riverly Club get involved too. It’s another way our residents can stay connected to the community, and I’m so proud of that.
“In our writing groups the residents have loved sharing their own stories and memories. It means a lot to us to give our residents this opportunity, to support them in this way and to give their stories a platform and a voice.
“With these clubs we have created something really special. It’s felt like an enriching journey of discovery and connection, and it reminds us that every life contains a story worth telling.”
Bridge House Care Home won the Team of the Year Award at the Oxfordshire Care Awards in 2025 and holds a Platinum Status in the Gold Standards Framework for end-of-life care, reflecting the highest level of quality in this area. They also have an Outstanding rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), a distinction achieved by only 4% of care homes in the UK.
Home manager, Marta Leszko, who is also a qualified nurse and dementia specialist said, “Alongside our strong nursing and dementia care we really pride ourselves on ensuring all our residents live meaningful and happy lives. Our community relationships are integral to this, and we love how much our residents have taken to our monthly book club. We can’t wait to see where their creative writing goes – the sky is the limit!”
