Yeovil MP joins care home residents for Question Time-style discussion
A Somerset care home brought a touch of the BBC’s Question Time to Yeovil when local MP Adam Dance faced questions from residents.
On a visit to Chestnut Lodge, the Lib Dem MP and former landscape gardener learned how the home supports people living with dementia and spoke with staff about their work.
“Our residents had a fantastic afternoon,” said activities coordinator, Gary Shackle. “They loved the chance to ask Adam their own questions, and he was so open and friendly in return.”
Gary said Mr Dance looked “in his element” chatting about flowers, favourite plants and the home’s much‑loved courtyard garden.
“The shared love of gardening made the visit feel especially personal – it’s not every day you get to swap tips with someone who used to be a professional landscape gardener.”
Mr Dance was shown around the home, which provides nursing and dementia care, and enjoyed chatting with the residents who were in their rooms.
“Residents got to ask Mr Dance questions, and he then asked them questions about their time and experiences at Chestnut Lodge,” added Gary.
“It was lovely to see how engaged everyone was and how much they enjoyed the exchange.”
Mr Dance recently raised the issue of dementia, frailty and end-of-life care in Parliament, asking ministers how planned national care frameworks would work together.
Chestnut Lodge is run by award-winning dementia care provider Camelot Care, which also runs Deer Park Nursing Home in Holsworthy, Devon, and three other homes in Somerset.
