Visiting Housteads Residential Care Home

Healthwatch Sheffield gathers people’s views on health and social care in Sheffield and shares them with decision makers, to inform improvements. 

We've written about a recent visit to a residential care home below. There is a printable version at the bottom of this page if you would prefer.

Our visit

On the 29th July 2025, we joined residents and staff from Housteads Residential Care home for one of their regular coffee mornings at The New Anglers pub. These coffee mornings, as well as other local outings are an important initiative by the care home to connect residents with the local community, help reduce isolation, and improve their wellbeing. 

We spoke to 12 residents and 3 members of staff, including Kay, the Activities Coordinator. Residents were in great spirits, enjoying cups of coffee, participating in a “Guess the Celebrity” game, singing and were happy to speak to us about their experiences at the care home.

We asked residents three key questions about their experience at Housteads; here’s what we heard.

What is good about Housteads Residential Care Home?

• Residents said they enjoy the regular activities and entertainment sessions
• “The carers are brilliant” – many residents praised the care staff
• Positive comments about the quality of food – “I like the food” / “The food is very good”
• Some like the fact that they don’t have to cook for themselves
• Some said they love the music, games like dominoes, and exercise sessions
• Residents said they felt safe and well looked after
• Appreciation for trips out – especially a recent visit to the farm
• Many mentioned forming close friendships with both other residents and staff
• One resident said: “I am close to all the carers because I have been here for a long time”

What don't you like about the care home? 

• A couple of residents felt that some carers could be better
• Some expressed a desire for more variety or frequency in activities
• It was also mentioned that there was a need for a wheelchair ramp at the front of the care home to make it easier for staff to get the residents out of the care home to the pub and other local walkable outings.

What additional activities would you like to do?

• More quizzes and karaoke
• Painting activities, including using easels and small canvases
• More projects and creative tasks
• Opportunities to meet new people
• Visits or performances by singers and entertainers (e.g. One of the residents likes Bob Marley)
• Having children come in to interact with residents
   

While there, the atmosphere was lively and welcoming. Events like these play a valuable role in keeping residents connected, engaged, and happy. The staff team, particularly Kay, were enthusiastic and passionate about the wellbeing of the people they support.

Following our visit, we invited the care home to bring residents along to our Health and Wellbeing Community Fun Day at Richmond Park and Birkland Residents Community Centre on Wednesday 6th August.

"It was absolutely wonderful to see so many Housteads care home residents engaging and enjoying themselves at the event. They joined in with some of the activities, and one of the highlights was seeing residents participate in the Bollywood dance session, which brought so much joy to the event."

We would like to thank residents and staff at Housteads care home for speaking with us about their experiences.