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April 1, 2026
Games of pool at Birchwood Heights’s ‘pub’ keeping happy memories alive
A pool table in a Birchwood Heights’s ‘pub’ is keeping memories and family ties strong for its male residents.
The home has created a ‘pub’ for its gents to enjoy, complete with a magnetic dartboard, old football programmes and a pool table.
The table was brought into the home by resident Vic Charlesworth’s son, Darren, after his dad found the existing table-top version tricky to use.
“We used to play together years ago, and when I saw the table was going for free on Facebook Marketplace, I hoped the home would take it – and they did!” Darren said. “Dad struggles with his memory now, but he certainly hasn’t forgotten how to play!
“It’s so nice to be able to do something together, and it brings back memories of when he used to take me to play when I was a child.” Lifestyles Manager, Theresa Doody, said the pool table is being well-used. “We had a mini games table, but the gents found it a bit awkward as the balls were very small. We’re so grateful to Darren for sourcing the bigger table, it’s much easier to use.”
The Gents’ Club is held every week on the home’s memory floor, while the ladies enjoy a Knit and Natter session. The space, which has dark walls and a cosy feel, seemed to lend itself to becoming a pub and male residents enjoy games of Scrabble, play cards or just chat over a bag of crisps.
“We wanted to offer an activity that specifically meets the needs of our male residents, and pubs have long been a place where men get together and socialise,” added Theresa. “The pub games help create connections if conversation is challenging for some, and, as Darren and Vic are showing, they also help to bring back very happy and comforting memories.
“We have a juke box in the room, and we are in the process of putting in a fully functioning bar, so it really is starting to feel like a public house!”
The pub is ‘staffed’ by male members of the lifestyles team, Jordan and Pete, to keep it ‘men only’. Memory floor manager, Gayle Rodrigues, said she’s seen a difference in her residents.
“I have worked in the care industry for a few years and have always seen how difficult it is to keep gentlemen entertained and engaged, especially those with dementia. I’ve noticed that the gents here now share time with each other where they may not have done this normally.
“Our ‘pub’ is also being used by gents from our other floors too, so it’s bringing more of them together, to share memories and enjoy a game of pool. I’ve heard laughter and felt emotional watching them.
“Although it’s an area for the men at Birchwood Heights, we do let Vic’s granddaughters play pool with him. It’s fantastic to see the three generations together!”
