The Old Vicarage Care Homes in Sherborne

Daily activities and entertainment are a core part of our quality care at The Old Vicarage. We pride ourselves on offering a diverse, enriching range of activities seven days a week, twice a day, and we encourage residents to continue pursuing their favourite hobbies and pastimes or to try out something new entirely.

One of our activity co-ordinators is a trained fitness instructor, so we offer plenty of exercise and movement sessions, as well as singing and dancing, to keep residents motivated and moving. We’re also passionate about keeping our homes and residents at the heart of the local community, working closely with community groups, schools and other community connections to keep residents involved in local activities.

Some of our regular activities include:

• Exercise and movement
• Singing and dancing
• Book club
• Theme days
• Piano playing
• Gardening
• Visiting entertainers
• Crafts
• Excursions to local places of interest
• Beautician
• Card evenings
• Visiting the library

The gardens give residents of The Old Vicarage care home in Sherborne plenty of reasons to spend time outside. Across two acres, there is a 20-metre semi-natural pond, 230 David Austin roses, a small mixed orchard, and a wild area alongside mature trees, lawns, and ornamental planting.

In June 2026, the gardens opened to the public as part of St Margaret’s Hospice’s Glorious Gardens programme, connecting the home with the wider Dorset community.

Dining is an essential part of the care package we provide to our residents, not only from a general health and wellbeing perspective, but we believe residents should be able to enjoy eating what they want, when they want.

We are keen for residents to be very involved in the food they eat, and we hold regular residents’ meetings to discuss meal options. We serve food fresh from the kitchen, and we offer traditional foods mixed with themed nights to encourage our residents to try different things.

Our chef fully assesses all dietary needs, including likes and dislikes, allergies, special diets, and preferred portion sizes and mealtimes. Our catering team prides itself on producing food of the highest quality, using local suppliers to create fresh, homemade dishes each day.

Chef Jack Moore, who joined The Old Vicarage in 2021, enjoys getting to know residents and hearing their ideas for favourite meals, and he uses their suggestions to help create a varied menu. Kitchen Assistant Lianne Case joined the catering staff in 2025 and particularly enjoys making birthdays and anniversaries special with homemade cakes and treats.

Together, their focus on residents’ preferences and celebrations adds a personal touch to mealtimes at The Old Vicarage.

Located near the market town of Sherborne and the coast, The Old Vicarage is close to the town of Weymouth and West Bay harbour. Visitors and residents can enjoy trips to Sherborne Abbey and Castle and National Trust gardens. There are several pubs and local garden centres a short 15-minute drive away. As there is no pub in the village itself, the village hall also has a regular pop-up pub for residents to visit.

The Old Vicarage care home in Sherborne is also an integral part of Leigh village life, with residents able to take part in activities at St Andrew’s Church. Coffee mornings, breakfasts, concerts, talks, and other community events give residents opportunities to meet locals and take part in shared interests.

Additionally, the home sponsors the annual Leigh Flower Show and takes residents along to enjoy the event. Residents are also often involved in the show, entering craft competitions with their artwork and handmade creations. 

Our residents’ health and wellness is very important, and we work closely with local health and wellness professionals to ensure every resident can lead a full and enriched life. We welcome visiting professionals such as GPs, chiropodists, and opticians, and can arrange visits to other professionals if and when required.

Each resident has their own key worker who provides an important link between their individual needs, preferences, and the wider care team. Getting to know the person they exclusively support helps key workers understand individual routines, interests, and changing requirements and ensures that all pertinent information is shared with the relevant colleagues.

What types of care does The Old Vicarage provide?

The Old Vicarage provides residential care, respite care, and sensory impairment care. The home’s team includes carers, healthcare practitioners, housekeeping, catering, maintenance, and activities staff, with external healthcare professionals also providing support. 

Before admission, the home carries out a needs assessment to establish the level of care and support required, and residents’ care plans are reviewed regularly.

What can residents expect from day-to-day life at The Old Vicarage?

Residents at our care home in Sherborne can spend their days following routines that suit their needs and pursuing their own personal interests. The home provides a range of spaces to support different aspects of daily life, from communal lounges and dining areas to landscaped gardens, quiet rooms, and a hair salon, with a minibus also available for outings. Meals, snacks, and drinks are included, and trained staff are available 24 hours a day.

Together, these facilities and support give residents the freedom to enjoy companionship and shared activities, as well as quieter moments when they prefer their own space.

What support is available for residents’ health and wellbeing?

Residents have access to a range of healthcare support at The Old Vicarage, with GPs, chiropodists, opticians, and other professionals able to visit the home when needed. Our care team gets to know each resident’s needs and keeps their care plan under regular review, making adjustments as circumstances change. 

This helps ensure that residents of our care home in Sherborne receive appropriate support as their health, mobility, and personal requirements change.

What places can residents visit near The Old Vicarage?

The Old Vicarage is close to Sherborne, Weymouth, and West Bay Harbour, giving residents access to a varied mix of historic, coastal, and countryside destinations.

 In Sherborne, local attractions include the Abbey, Castle, and National Trust gardens. Further afield, Weymouth has its harbour and seafront, while West Bay is known for its port and its dramatic Jurassic Coast scenery.

How does The Old Vicarage stay connected with the Sherborne community?

The Old Vicarage maintains links with the Sherborne community through regular events that bring residents together with locals through shared activities.

Entertainer Tuesdays feature different live performers and are open to residents, relatives, and members of the local community. The home also holds Holy Communion services, followed by refreshments.

To discover more about community life at The Old Vicarage, contact the team on 01935 316800 for a no-obligation chat.