Basingstoke care home supports community lunches

A care home in Basingstoke is helping a local organisation to bring the community together and reduce isolation.

Care UK’s Dashwood Manor, on Bradley Way, has donated £800 to the Beggarwood Community Centre, which runs the popular Café in the Park.  

The Café in the Park offers a local space for members of the community to come together, get to know one another, and build local support networks. The cafe hosts a monthly community lunch, health walks, and is also home to regular book clubs and toddler groups.

The donation will be used to support the community lunches, where residents and the catering team at Dashwood Manor will also be lending a hand – by cooking up delicious homemade quiches and volunteering at the events. 

Dil Perera, Home Manager at Dashwood Manor, said: “We’re thrilled to be able to play our part in supporting the Beggarwood Community Centre, which is at the heart of the local community, to continue its popular community lunches at the wonderful Café in the Park. 

“Residents love the sense of togetherness the community lunches bring, and are regular visitors to Café in the Park, which is why they were keen to find a way to give back to this initiative. We know that organisations like this can only continue their fantastic work through donations – whether that be time, money or resources, which is why we are delighted to be lending a helping hand to allow the community lunches to continue to thrive.”

Dashwood Manor – which opened in September 2021 – is designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives while also promoting independence. The new care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities with luxury facilities, including a café, hair and beauty salon, cinema, bar and gardens.