Capital Radio’s Breakfast Show host and This Morning presenter Sian Welby is lending her support to this year’s Care Home Open Week, taking place from 16 to 22 June. But for Sian, this isn’t just another campaign, it’s a deeply personal one.

Her father, Ian, lives with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Over recent years, her family has navigated the emotional complexities of dementia, finding comfort and connection in unexpected places. One of the most powerful has been music.

Music has become a key part of how Sian and her dad stay connected. Even when language fades or becomes difficult, a familiar song can bring back a spark. Through shared moments listening to music or working on small projects at home, they’ve discovered ways to communicate and enjoy each other’s company, despite the challenges dementia brings.

This year’s Care Home Open Week celebrates exactly that; the power of everyday moments to bring joy, comfort, and connection.

With a national focus on The Power of Music, the campaign invites the public to see care homes not as closed-off institutions, but as vibrant places full of life, laughter and warmth.

As part of her involvement, Sian will visit Wandsworth Common Care Home, part of Avery Healthcare, on Tuesday 10 June. She will spend time with residents and staff, take part in a musical session, and witness how music is being used in dementia care to evoke memories, stimulate conversation and support emotional wellbeing.

The visit will also shine a light on the essential work of care staff, the dedication, compassion and creativity they bring to their roles each day. It’s a chance to celebrate those who care for some of the most vulnerable in society, and to shift perceptions of what life in a care home really looks like.

Care Home Open Week is designed to build stronger connections between care homes and their local communities. Across the UK, homes will be opening their doors to the public, encouraging people to come in, meet residents and staff, and see the reality of care home life.