At The Firs in Budleigh Salterton, it’s often the simplest moments that mean the most.
Each week, copies of the Exmouth Journal arrive and quickly find their way into familiar hands. For many of the residents, it’s a paper they’ve read for decades. The feel of the pages, the local names, the photographs of places they know so well – it’s more than news. It’s connection.
Sitting with a cup of tea and the latest edition has become a cherished part of the weekly rhythm at The Firs. Headlines spark conversation. A story about the seafront brings back memories of family walks. A local event prompts lively discussion around the lounge. Before long, it’s not just reading – it’s storytelling.
One resident shared, “I’ve always read the Exmouth Journal. It keeps me in touch with what’s going on. And I like telling the girls what they’ve missed!”
Team members say the paper has become a wonderful bridge between past and present. Residents don’t just read it quietly to themselves; they share snippets with staff and friends, debate local matters, and pass it along with a recommendation to “have a look at page four.”
Home Manager Nikki said:
“It’s the little routines that really matter. Something as simple as reading the paper you’ve always read brings comfort and familiarity. It helps people feel grounded and connected to their community.”
“It’s the little routines that really matter. Something as simple as reading the paper you’ve always read brings comfort and familiarity. It helps people feel grounded and connected to their community.”
At The Firs, daily life isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about preserving the habits and routines that make each person feel like themselves. Whether it’s how they take their tea, which chair they prefer, or which newspaper lands on the table each week, those details are noticed and respected.
Because sometimes, feeling at home starts with turning the pages of a paper you’ve always loved.