Chartwell House Residents Open The Chartwellion Shop
Chartwell House Care Home in Broadstairs has opened The Chartwellion, a resident-led shop designed to bring independence, choice and meaningful daily occupation to those living at the home. The shop opened on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, following a period of consultation with residents, whose ideas and requests shaped every aspect of what it sells and how it operates.
The concept grew from a straightforward observation: while residents regularly enjoy trips to the nearby Westwood Cross Shopping Centre, many expressed a wish for the convenience and independence of picking up everyday essentials within the home itself. The Chartwellion answers that directly, stocking items chosen entirely by residents, including stamps, greetings cards, gifts, confectionery, toiletries and personal care products. The range continues to evolve in response to ongoing resident feedback.
The name itself carries meaning: Chartwellion is a nod to the lions of Chartwell, and resident Peter has painted a canvas lion to mark the occasion, a piece that now sits at the heart of the shop and captures the spirit of the community that created it.
What sets The Chartwellion apart from a standard on-site amenity is that residents run it. With support from Chartwell House’s Life Enrichment Team, they take on active roles including serving customers, handling purchases, organising stock and managing the day-to-day running of the shop.
For many, the opportunity carries a deeper significance. Several residents previously worked in customer-facing roles, including retail and the Post Office, and The Chartwellion gives them the chance to reconnect with familiar skills and routines in a safe and supportive environment. For residents living with dementia in particular, meaningful roles of this kind can help reinforce a sense of identity, encourage conversation and stimulate long-term memories. Research from organisations including the Alzheimer’s Society shows that maintaining familiar routines and engaging in purposeful activity can improve wellbeing, support self-esteem and reduce feelings of isolation for people living with dementia.
Taryn, Head of Lifestyle and Wellbeing at Chartwell House, said: “The Chartwellion is much more than a shop. It’s about giving residents choice, purpose and ownership. Every product on the shelves has been selected because our residents told us they wanted it there, and many of our residents now play an active role in running the shop. For those living with dementia, familiar routines such as serving customers or organising stock can spark wonderful conversations and memories from earlier in life. Seeing residents take pride in welcoming customers and supporting one another has been incredibly rewarding.”
Beryl, a resident at Chartwell House, added: “I think it’s a wonderful idea. It’s lovely to be able to pop into the shop whenever we need something, and it’s even nicer knowing that we’ve helped create it. It feels like our own little community shop.”
The Chartwellion forms part of the home’s Life Enrichment Programme, built around six principles designed to nurture residents’ whole wellbeing: Contribute, Grow, Reflect, Feel, Move and Connect. It reflects a wider philosophy at Chartwell House, and across Boutique Care Homes, of listening carefully to residents and turning their ideas into something they can genuinely call their own.
