Crowborough community celebrates opening of flagship nursing home

Company news

Sep 27, 2011

The ceremonial ribbon at the new, 74-bed nursing home was cut by 86-year-old volunteer Joan Brookbank and local schoolgirl Abbie Goldsmith. Joan founded the local Alzheimer’s Society branch after her husband developed the condition; Abbie won a competition at Sir Henry Fermor Church of England Primary School to name the home.

To celebrate the opening on 21st September, the new home was given a village fete feel. Residents, relatives and staff joined in the fun which included a giant chocolate fountain, a craft market, complementary therapy stalls, magic tricks and jazz standards performed by the Gershwin Gang.

Home Manager Bill Roarty said: "We had a brilliant day. We invited the community and families to come and join us and everyone had a lot of fun. Our residents had a wonderful time and we were touched and pleased with the feedback we got from their relatives.

Bill said: "Everyone agreed it is a pleasant surprise to anyone with preconceived ideas about care homes that we offer style, luxury and comfort that wouldn’t look out of place in a five-star hotel.

"But most of all we offer genuinely person-centred care. All residents have their own key worker who is dedicated to understanding their likes and dislikes, hobbies and interests. That way we can create unique activity plans that help to keep someone with dementia happy, active and mobile."