Care UK celebrates World Bee Day

Residents in Care UK homes love getting out and about in nature where they can and, for one Dorset-based home, they’re celebrating World Bee Day with a buzz! 

Wimborne-based home, Magna, introduced beehives to their ecosystem after a local beekeeper, Ian, responded to Home Manager Kayeleigh Frutti’s social media shoutout.

Ian and his wife Chris own and run Snooks Farm Alpacas and Bees after Ian’s love for mead led him to producing his own honey at home. 

After responding to the shoutout to the local community on social media, Ian said: “I knew I was onto something special. The moment I arrived at Magna, I felt its warmth and was in awe of its beautiful grounds. What more could a bee ask for than plenty of forest and heathland on tap!”

Ian and Chris regularly make visits to the home, assisting them with building, setting up and maintaining all six of their hives, all whilst teaching the residents about what can be made with the products and why bees are so important for our ecosystem.

One resident said: “It’s fantastic to be able to see the bees and the hives, and to learn all about our honeybees. I love seeing the final product and tasting our honey. Delicious!”

Another commented on the reflections she makes after each visit, saying: “Having the hives made me really think on the circle of life, how precious our ecosystem is and how much we need to look after it and the bees so that in return they will look after us.”

During the summer, the hives at Magna host up to 500,000 bees, whilst during the winter this is reduced to just 20,000. 

Kayleigh Frulli, Magna’s Home Manager, said: “From a simple chat over tea, a spark of inspiration bloomed into a hive of joy for all the residents at Magna. Beekeeping at Magna has become more than an activity — it’s a shared journey of learning, laughter, and connection that touches residents, staff, and visitors alike. It’s proof that when dreams take flight, they can bring a whole community together.”

However, Magna isn’t the only Care UK home embracing the buzzing charm of bees.

Tor Na Dee, near Aberdeen, also has its own working hives. Initially an idea sparked by a desire to connect residents with the outdoors, these hives have created opportunities to share knowledge with the wider community.

Last December, the home welcomed pupils from a local primary school to take part in the honey extraction process. During the session, residents and children learned from the beekeeper how bees store honey in the comb, how it’s carefully extracted, and how it’s filtered for use.

And, of course, everyone had the chance to taste the freshly harvested honey!

The honey is often used in the home’s kitchen, giving residents the chance to enjoy the fruits of their own garden.

Susan Ashton, Home Manager at Tor-Na-Dee, said: “It’s been such a joy seeing how much residents have embraced beekeeping. It’s not just about the honey; it’s also about getting outside, doing something hands-on and sharing that experience with others.”

If you are looking for a new challenge and are considering a career in care, visit Care UK’s careers page for more information on the newest job opportunities, and you might just be harvesting your own honey at a home soon!