“During mealtimes, I noticed that family members weren’t communicating with each other very much, and our staff team wouldn’t always know how to start a conversation.

“I had the idea of creating a special placemat for each person that could act as a talking point. I asked our family members and staff what they thought and everyone really liked the idea. I then went round asking each person what pictures they would like on their placemat, and for a favourite Bible verse.

“This led to some very interesting chats, and I got to know the family members even better than before, sometimes at quite a deep level. For example, Deryl chose to have a verse from 2 Timothy on her placemat and shared with me how she’d had a son called Timothy who had passed away. She chose to have a picture with brilliant sunshine to symbolise God and how Timothy is now with the Lord.

“Previously, I’d learnt that Deryl had a son who died from reading her life history (something we collect when all our family members come to us). I’d seen a photo of him in her bedroom but when I tried to talk to her about him I could tell it was a difficult conversation and so we left it. Having the placemat gives her the opportunity to remember Timothy in a positive way. Hers is a very uplifting placement, with a picture of some daffodils, which I learned are her favourite flower, and a piano which she loves to play.

“Now, in the dining room, there’s a lot more interaction at mealtimes, both between staff and family members, and between family members themselves.

“Ann loves to talk to everyone about her placemat. She has chosen the verse 1 Samuel 7:12 where Samuel sets up the Ebenezer stone and says, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us’. She has also chosen a picture of a road with some crossroads and she likes to ask people about the crossroads they have experienced in their lives and how God has helped them through.

“Ann sits on a table with Evelyn and in turn Eveyln will respond by talking about her placemat which features a picture of a rainbow as well as the words ‘God has not promised skies always blue.’ These words are from one of Evelyn’s favourite hymns, which we sometimes sing in our devotions times.