Newbury care home opens its doors to caring community clubs

Home news

Sep 17, 2019

The team at Winchcombe Place invited the local community to a range of free, informal and friendly regular events.

Carers, knitters, grandparents and family members can find support and friendship by joining in free weekly café sessions at Care UK’s Winchcombe Place.

The home on Maple Crescent hosts a wealth of regular drop-in sessions and support groups for carers, friends and family members in the area, all designed to offer people the chance to chat and meet others in a similar situation to them.

The free, regular support groups taking place at Winchcombe Place are:

Carers’ Support Group – every Thursday, 10am-12 noon

Berkshire Grandparents – second Thursday of every month, 6.30pm-8.30pm

Knit and Natter – third Thursday of every month, 3pm

Memory and Friendship Café – last Friday of every month, 10.30am-12.30pm

Dementia Friends – last Friday of every month, 12 noon-1pm

The Carers’ Support Group at Winchcombe Place helps local family carers get to know each other and share ideas and experiences. The relaxed, informal support café is free, with no need to book, and features regular guest speakers. Those who attend also have the opportunity to get involved in activities taking place within the wider community if they wish.

The Berkshire Grandparents group is an informal, friendly evening café session that offers support for grandparents and family members who have little or no contact with their grandchildren.

Winchcombe Place’s fun, free Knit and Natter group is open to all who wish to participate in an afternoon of knitting and chatting, while enjoying complimentary refreshments.

The monthly Memory and Friendship Café is aimed that those in the community who care for people living with dementia, where families and friends can get support and practical advice, alongside enjoying themed activities.

The home’s monthly Dementia Friends sessions, which are hosted by Care UK’s Dementia Friends Champions, help people to learn more about dementia, and understand what it might be like to live with the condition.

Home manager, Patricia Jamieson, said: “Here at Winchcombe Place, we strongly believe that being informed and sharing experiences can make a real difference to those caring for a loved one and those who need support, and it can often be a great comfort to hear that others understand your situation.

“We strive to create a sense of belonging within the home and provide a positive impact on the local community, by building support systems for our neighbours. We create a cheerful, homely environment at our regular events, where everyone can feel comfortable to share their personal stories.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming some new faces for a chat over a cup of tea and slice of cake.”

To find out more about any of the events at Winchcombe Place or to book a free place, please contact customer relations manager, Vicki Lambourne, on 0333 321 1923, or email vicki.lambourne@careuk.com

Winchcombe Place is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing, dementia and short-term respite care. To find out more about Winchcombe Place, please visit careuk.com/winchcombe-place