Community Engagement Strategies

Building meaningful local connections to enhance your care home's reputation and occupancy

Community Engagement for Care Homes

Community engagement is one of the most powerful and cost-effective marketing approaches for care homes. By building meaningful connections with your local community, you can enhance your reputation, increase visibility, and generate enquiries through authentic relationships rather than paid advertising.

Why Community Engagement Works
  • Builds trust through genuine relationships and visibility
  • Creates word-of-mouth referrals from community members
  • Positions your care home as an integral part of the community
  • Provides meaningful activities and connections for current residents
  • Often requires minimal financial investment, focusing on time and relationship-building

Local Community Events

Hosting or participating in local community events creates visibility and positive associations with your care home while providing enriching experiences for current residents.

Implementation Steps:
  1. Identify suitable events to host (seasonal fairs, open gardens, craft markets)
  2. Partner with local organizations to increase attendance
  3. Involve current residents in planning and participating
  4. Create information packs about your care home for attendees
  5. Collect contact details from interested visitors for follow-up
Ease:
Time:
Cost:
Impact:
Community Event Ideas:
  • Summer garden party or fete
  • Christmas fair or carol service
  • Craft markets featuring resident-made items
  • Intergenerational events with local schools
  • Open gardens during summer months
  • Community fundraising events for local causes
  • Themed afternoon teas open to the public
  • Local history exhibitions or talks

Intergenerational Programs

Partnerships with local schools, nurseries, and youth groups create meaningful connections between generations while showcasing your care home's community involvement.

Implementation Steps:
  1. Contact local schools, nurseries, or youth groups to propose partnerships
  2. Develop structured activities that benefit both residents and young people
  3. Create a regular schedule of intergenerational activities
  4. Document these interactions (with appropriate permissions) for social media and marketing materials
  5. Invite parents to special events, creating wider community awareness
Ease:
Time:
Cost:
Impact:
Intergenerational Activity Ideas:
  • Reading buddies program with primary schools
  • Gardening projects with local scout or guide groups
  • Craft sessions where residents teach traditional skills
  • Oral history projects where students interview residents
  • Joint music or drama performances
  • Technology sessions where young people help residents with digital skills
  • Seasonal celebrations and holiday events

Community Space Provision

Offering your care home's facilities as a meeting space for local community groups brings people into your environment and builds positive relationships.

Implementation Steps:
  1. Identify suitable spaces within your care home that could be used by community groups
  2. Create a simple policy for community use of facilities
  3. Reach out to local groups that might need meeting spaces
  4. Offer the space for free or at minimal cost to build goodwill
  5. Ensure visitors have the opportunity to learn about your care home
Ease:
Time:
Cost:
Impact:
Community Groups to Consider:
  • Book clubs and reading groups
  • Craft circles and knitting groups
  • Local history societies
  • Parent and toddler groups
  • Community choirs or music groups
  • Health and wellbeing classes for older adults
  • Support groups for carers
  • Community association meetings

Local Charity Partnerships

Supporting local charities through fundraising, volunteering, or partnerships demonstrates your care home's commitment to the community while creating positive visibility.

Implementation Steps:
  1. Identify local charities that align with your care home's values
  2. Develop a partnership plan with specific activities and goals
  3. Involve residents in choosing and supporting the charity
  4. Host fundraising events that bring the community into your care home
  5. Share your charitable activities through local media and your own channels
Ease:
Time:
Cost:
Impact:
Charity Partnership Ideas:
  • Age UK or other elderly support charities
  • Local hospices or healthcare charities
  • Animal welfare organizations that can bring therapy animals
  • Environmental groups for garden projects
  • Food banks or homeless support services
  • Local heritage or historical societies
  • Dementia or Alzheimer's support organizations

Educational Workshops and Talks

Hosting educational events positions your care home as a knowledge resource while bringing potential residents and families into your environment.

Implementation Steps:
  1. Identify topics of interest to your target audience (e.g., care funding, dementia support)
  2. Find knowledgeable speakers (could be staff or external experts)
  3. Schedule regular workshops or talks open to the community
  4. Promote events through local networks and media
  5. Collect contact details from attendees for follow-up
Ease:
Time:
Cost:
Impact:
Workshop and Talk Topics:
  • Navigating care funding and financial support
  • Understanding dementia and supporting loved ones
  • Legal considerations: Power of Attorney and wills
  • Transitioning to care home living
  • Nutrition and wellbeing for older adults
  • Fall prevention and home safety
  • Technology for staying connected with family

Volunteer Programs

Creating volunteer opportunities at your care home brings community members into your environment while providing additional support and activities for residents.

Implementation Steps:
  1. Develop a structured volunteer program with clear roles and responsibilities
  2. Create simple application and induction processes
  3. Advertise volunteer opportunities through local volunteer centers and community networks
  4. Provide training and ongoing support for volunteers
  5. Recognize and celebrate volunteer contributions
Ease:
Time:
Cost:
Impact:
Volunteer Role Ideas:
  • Activity assistants for craft, music, or games sessions
  • Gardening volunteers to maintain outdoor spaces
  • Befrienders for one-to-one companionship
  • Reading volunteers to share books and newspapers
  • Technology helpers to assist with digital skills
  • Event support for community activities
  • Pet therapy volunteers who bring animals to visit

Local Business Partnerships

Building relationships with local businesses creates mutual benefits and increases your care home's visibility within the local community.

Implementation Steps:
  1. Identify local businesses that align with your care home's needs or values
  2. Develop partnership proposals that offer mutual benefits
  3. Create joint initiatives or events that serve both organizations
  4. Cross-promote through each other's networks and channels
  5. Maintain regular communication to nurture the relationship
Ease:
Time:
Cost:
Impact:
Local Business Partnership Ideas:
  • Local florists for regular displays (with promotional materials)
  • Cafés or bakeries for special treats or events
  • Bookshops for resident reading groups
  • Garden centers for gardening projects
  • Local musicians or entertainers for regular performances
  • Beauty salons or hairdressers for resident services
  • Local farms or food producers for seasonal activities
Community Engagement Considerations

When implementing community engagement strategies for your care home, ensure you:

  • Prioritize resident wellbeing in all community activities
  • Obtain appropriate permissions for photographs and publicity
  • Consider safeguarding requirements for visitors to your care home
  • Balance community access with resident privacy and security
  • Ensure activities are inclusive and accessible to all residents who wish to participate

Community engagement strategies offer care homes some of the most cost-effective and impactful marketing approaches. By building genuine connections with your local community, you create a network of supporters and advocates who will recommend your care home to others, helping to maintain high occupancy levels even during challenging times.

Explore Referral & Partnership Strategies