How a Mini Robot is Helping Care Home Residents

15th September 2021

Les Hoûmets residents join digital revolution

It’s National Coding Week and while children are learning coding skills in school, the residents of Les Hoûmets Care Home in sunny Jersey don’t want to be left behind, they have been learning new digital skills too! 

This year they have taken part in a National Digital Challenge which is aimed at stimulating creativity and problem-solving skills.

The residents have had so much fun programming the robot

James Seargeant – activities co-ordinator

The residents have had to work together to help design an obstacle course, they then have been playing with a small robot; using coding skills to programme it to follow the course without it crashing!

Residents give their instructions to James Seargeant the activities co-ordinator and using rulers, maths, and programming skills they have been able to set up a course and work out which instructions will ensure the robot follows the intended course.

The little robot is helping the residents to maintain cognitive ability, creativity and team spirit

James said “The residents have had so much fun programming the robot with the results proving, at times, hilarious. Using coding techniques and trial and error they have successfully been able to get the robot to navigate the course. The little robot is helping the residents to maintain cognitive ability, creativity and team spirit”. 

Les Hoûmets is known for its wide-ranging and popular opt-in activities programme, the robot challenge demonstrates that the home is keen to keep residents engaged, thinking, challenging themselves and having fun.

National Coding Week is sponsored by JT and has been a great opportunity for residents to try something new.