Two of our expert care advisors from our Head Office, Sharon and Demi, visited Agincare homes in Somerset to spread some cheer and to meet some of the people they had helped find a new home in time for Christmas.
Home for Christmas at Critchill Court
Pictured: Sheila, Heidi, Peter, Deputy Manager Abbi, Jeanette, Demi and Sharon with the new Christmas tree
The first stop on the journey was to Critchill Court in Frome where the care team was busy decorating the home in true festive colours!
On their arrival, Registered Manager Nichola and Deputy Manager Abby took Demi and Sharon down to the Activity Lounge where a festive flower-arranging activity was taking place – a firm Critchill favourite!
Demi lent a hand to Activities Co-Ordinator Juliet and Critchill resident Jeanette as they finished off the last bouquet!
Demi and Critchill Court resident Janette with their finished bouquet!
Whilst around the table, Demi and Sharon got to speak to husband and wife Peter and Sheila who had recently moved to Critchill in time for Christmas.
The Critchill team wanted to do their utmost to ensure that Peter and Sheila were made to feel welcome in their new home so were delighted when Sheila suggested they bring in their old family Christmas tree to Critchill to spread some festive cheer.
Now beautifully decorated, the Christmas tree has pride of place in the main lounge for all to see!
Sheila said:
We were delighted to pass on our family Christmas tree to Critchill. It make us so happy to see it in the lounge.
Sadly, not all care homes can accommodate couples but we pride ourselves on keeping families together and are so happy that Peter and Sheila are enjoying life at Critchill Court.
Getting to know Jed
In one of the quiet lounges, Demi spent some time getting to know Jed, one of Critchill’s newest residents, who is staying at Critchill for some respite care over the Christmas period. They sat down for a while to discuss their plans for Christmas and what they were looking forward to in the New Year.
A love story for the ages at Beaufort Park
Pictured: Bob, Demi and Jackie in the lounge at Beaufort Park in Burnham-On-Sea
The next stop on the journey was Beaufort Park Retirement Village in the historic seaside resort of Burnham-On-Sea.
Beaufort Park compromises a 40-bed care home and 12 self-contained flats set within two acres of grounds in a historic Victorian complex.
Registered Manager Natasha and Deputy Manager Diane soon made Demi and Sharon feel at home, welcoming them into the bustling lounge where lunch was being served. Natasha introduced Demi and Sharon to Jackie and Bob, longtime residents of Beaufort Park, who have been married for almost forty years.
The story of how Bob and Jackie met puts any Richard Curtis movie to shame!
For over half a century, Bob was the Manager of the Natwest Bank in Burnham-On-Sea, where he would take great pride in getting to know the names and faces of his many customers.
One day Bob began to notice a certain cashier who had just started working at the rival Lloyds bank directly opposite!
Smitten at first sight, Bob soon used every excuse under the sun to visit Lloyds until he finally felt brave enough to ask the cashier for her name. She said her name was Jackie, and from that moment their decades-long relationship began. They have never been apart since
Bob and Jackie were glad to call Beaufort Park their home as not only did it meet all their care needs but it also allowed the couple to stay close to their daughter who lives just outside of Burnham.
Putting a face to a name!
Sharon and Margaret in the lounge at Beaufort Park
Whilst in the lounge, Sharon was keen to meet Margaret (pictured above) who had only recently moved to Beaufort Park from South London. Sharon and Demi had both spoken to Margaret and her family on the phone during the last few months and were delighted to put a name to a face.
Wanting to be closer to her family in Somerset and looking for a larger social home, Beaufort Park was the ideal home for Margaret.
Stepping into Christmas at Sunnymeade
The last stop on their whistlestop tour of Somerset was Sunnymeade Care Home in the market town of Chard.
Demi and Sharon have worked closely with the home’s Registered Manager Amanda Whyte since early 2024 when Agincare saved Sunnymeade and Critchill from closure when the previous operator exited. Since then, both homes have flourished, benefitting from our long-term sustainable strategy for the future.
A Christmas dance session was in full swing by the early afternoon so Demi quickly found a lively dance partner in 83-year-old Anne!
Famous for her boundless energy and enthusiasm for all kinds of music, Anne credits her daily exercises and love of dancing for her youthful appearance. The Sunnymeade team are in full agreement!
Proud to be experts in care
Travelling around our Somerset homes, Demi and Sharon were very thankful to meet the wonderful people that Agincare supports, including many they had spoken with personally on the phone.
As a people-first organisation, these in-person connections are so important for the team as it gives them a better understanding of our care services and the people they support.
We are proud to be one of the few care providers that has the resources, capacity and knowledge to provide comprehensive care services including residential care and nursing homes, domiciliary care, live-in care, extra care, and supported living.
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