St Joseph's Shankill, Dedicated to Dementia Care

21/08/2026

Thursday may have been grey outside, but St Joseph’s was anything but.

When the weather put a stop to our plans for tea in the garden, we simply brought the garden party indoors. The tables were filled with flowers and sunflowers, the tea was flowing and there was plenty of lovely food to share.

Then the wonderful Marley Singers arrived and soon the whole room was filled with music, singing and laughter. Residents, staff and volunteers joined in, and the weather outside was quickly forgotten.

There are some afternoons that leave everyone smiling, and this was certainly one of them. A heartfelt thank you to the Marlay Singers for making the day so special, and to our team and volunteers for bringing everything together.

Nursing Homes Week is a chance to share the people, friendships and moments that make St Joseph’s a home. Thursday captured all of that beautifully.

Rain outside, sunshine inside.

Nursing Homes Ireland

20/08/2026

🍂 Day Three: Weathering the Seasons 🍃

Yesterday’s Nursing Homes Week activity was all about the weather and the changing seasons.

We gathered a selection of leaves and spent time tracing them, identifying the different varieties and chatting about where we might have seen them before.

Our wonderful residents Annette and Christine really knew their stuff and were quick to identify several of the leaves. The activity soon had everyone talking about gardens, favourite flowers, rainy days and memories of being outdoors.

We will be displaying the finished pieces at St Joseph’s and sharing them with families.

Nursing Homes Week is a chance for us to share a little more of the activities, conversations and friendships that are part of everyday life here.

A simple activity and a lovely afternoon together. 🍁

19/08/2026

🌿 Day Two: Trail Tuesday 🚲

Nursing Homes Week continued yesterday with a trip to Shanganagh Park, right here in Shankill.

Our residents were joined by our amazing Activities Coordinators, Catherine and Stella. Some travelled in style on our trio bikes, while others enjoyed the trail at their own pace, taking in the scenery and stopping to say hello to a few four-legged friends along the way.

From the sights and sounds of the park to the freedom of getting out and about in our local community, there was plenty to enjoy. A change of scene, the wind on our faces and time spent together brought smiles, conversation and lots of shared moments.

Getting out into our community and spending time in nature are an important part of everyday life at St Joseph’s. There was no rush, just plenty of fresh air, good company and laughter.

A big thank you to Catherine and Stella for making Trail Tuesday such a lovely outing.

Day Two complete, and life at St Joseph’s is still in full bloom. 🌻

Nursing Homes Ireland

18/08/2026

🌻 Nursing Homes Week is officially in full bloom at St Joseph’s Centre! 🌻

We could not have asked for a brighter start to the week. The wonderful team at Florists delivered a beautiful collection of sunflowers, bringing an instant burst of colour and joy to our home.

Sunflowers are a fitting symbol for life at St Joseph’s. Their warmth reflects the kindness, connection and joy found in the interactions shared by our residents, families, volunteers and colleagues. These everyday moments, whether big or small, are at the heart of our commitment to making every moment matter.

Our amazing residents then rolled up their sleeves for an afternoon of gardening and flower arranging with Jimmy, our Maintenance Supervisor. From choosing and planting colourful flowers in our gorgeous garden to potting, arranging and watering, it was all hands on deck to keep St Joseph’s looking its very best.

At St Joseph’s, meaningful activity is woven into the rhythm of each day. Gardening is a wonderfully sensory experience, inviting residents to feel the soil, enjoy the colours and scents of the flowers, spend time outdoors and share stories and conversation.

These activities can awaken memories, create a genuine sense of purpose, and most importantly, they provide opportunities to connect, participate and experience joy together.

Here’s to a week filled with colour, connection and plenty more special moments. 💛

Nursing Homes Ireland

17/08/2026

Today marks the beginning of NHI Nursing Homes Week 2026.

This year’s theme is Connected with Nature, and it feels especially meaningful for us at St Joseph’s Centre.

As Ireland’s only care home solely dedicated to dementia care, we know that connection can often begin with something small and familiar: a flower on a table, the scent of herbs, birdsong in the garden, a trip to the local park, a favourite season, or a story shared over a cup of tea.

For a person living with dementia, these moments can matter deeply. A sunflower, a familiar scent or a garden memory may bring comfort, recognition or conversation in a way that feels natural and personal.

Across the week, residents, staff and volunteers will take part in flower arranging, park visits, Trio bike outings, music, food, seasonal reminiscence and shared moments across our lodges and communal spaces.

Nursing Homes Week is a lovely chance to pause and celebrate what we see every day at St Joseph’s: residents with full lives and stories and; staff who bring warmth and care to each day; families and volunteers who are such an important part of life here; and a Centre that is deeply rooted in its local community.

For us, Life in Full Bloom is not about big gestures. It is about the small, meaningful moments that make life feel familiar, personal and full.

A lovely start to Nursing Homes Week at St Joseph’s Centre. Follow along through the week to see Life in Full Bloom here.

Nursing Homes Ireland

07/08/2026

We’re hiring a Community Cognitive Stimulation Therapist to join the team at St Joseph’s Centre, Shankill.

This part-time role will lead community-based Cognitive Stimulation Therapy groups for people living with mild-to-moderate dementia, creating a welcoming space where people can connect with others, build confidence and take part in meaningful, engaging activities.

We are looking for a compassionate and skilled Registered Nurse or Allied Health Professional with experience supporting older people or working in dementia care.

Find out more and apply: https://www.rezoomo.com/job/99142/

01/08/2026

Behind every diagnosis is a whole person, with a lifetime of memories, relationships, interests, humour and experiences that make them who they are.

Our one-day dementia care training is designed to help those attending see and understand that person more fully through a person-centred, human rights-based approach.

Through role play, real-life scenarios and a guided tour of St Joseph’s Centre, the day brings learning to life in a really engaging, hands-on way. It’s all about building confidence in communication, strengthening connections, and discovering simple but powerful ways to help people living with dementia feel recognised, included and truly valued.

It’s a warm, welcoming and eye-opening day designed for healthcare professionals, carers, and anyone who supports a person living with dementia, and you’ll leave with plenty of simple, practical ideas you can start using straight away!

Places are now available for our September 2026 course.

Find out more and book your place:https://www.saintjosephsshankill.ie/get-involved/dementia-care-training

30/07/2026

We are delighted that St Joseph’s Centre, Shankill has been shortlisted in three categories at the Irish Healthcare Awards 2026.

Our Evaluating the Volunteer Impact in St Joseph’s study has been shortlisted for Research Project/Paper of the Year, while our Volunteer and Community Programme is shortlisted for both Patient Advocacy Project of the Year and Innovation in Healthcare.

A huge and heartfelt congratulations to Nicola, our Volunteer Programme Manager, and to Niamh, Stella, Reena and Antoinette, who bring such care, energy and heart to this work every day.

Together, they are always looking for new ways to support people living with dementia and their families, from post diagnosis right through to end of life. Whether through our cafés, social groups, Cognitive Stimulation Therapy, schools programmes or community partnerships, their focus is always on helping people feel connected, included and understood.

At the heart of it all are our wonderful volunteers. More than 120 people give their time, friendship and kindness so generously, helping to create moments of joy, companionship and belonging every day.

We are so proud of the whole team and thrilled to see their commitment, creativity and compassion recognised in this way. Very well deserved!

30/06/2026

St Joseph's Centre was honoured to take part in Oireachtas Day, hosted by Nursing Homes Ireland, a chance to speak up for the people we care for and the families who stand beside them, and for the wider role residential care plays in supporting Ireland's ageing population.

Siobhan Grant and Stephanie Watson met with Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, Co-Chair of the All-Party Oireachtas Group on Dementia, and DLR TD Barry Ward, to discuss the future of residential care and the importance of person-centred, dignified care for people living with dementia.

16/06/2026

We wanted to share some of the wonderful pictures from our Butterfly Lunch last Friday, sponsored by AON, A&L Goodbody, Homecare Medical, and Stacks Pharmacy, held in the beautiful surroundings of Elm Park Golf and Sporting Club.
What a wonderful day we had, the atmosphere from the outset was filled with joy, warmth and a genuine eagerness from all our guests to support the care and services that we offer people living with dementia at St Joseph's.
We were delighted to be entertained by Henry Syms on piano during our drinks reception, and our MC Alan Shortt really got into the whole Butterfly theme of the day too. Brian Walsh supplied the hotly contested music bingo session. We are so grateful to all our donors of prizes, and sponsorship and to the team Elm Park Golf & Sports Club, Dublin 4 for their hospitality.
What great fun we all enjoyed while raising over €50,000 for St Joseph's!! THANK YOU ALL.

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