Keeping connected to the community

Being part of the wider community means being outward-looking, building connections and relationships, and offering support and help where it’s needed – and each and every one of our care homes strives to further its community links. We love to celebrate this spirit, so we thought we’d share with you a couple of ways we’ve recently been keeping connected to the community.

Bringing cheer through children’s books

Well done to the team at Cedar Court Care Home in Cranleigh, Surrey, who have made a big difference to families in their area and their local NHS colleagues over the festive period.

Cedar Court has a close relationship with their local hospital The Royal Surrey, and the team there got their heads together to come up with a way to show their support.

They donated 150 children’s books, which meant young children being cared for in the Hascombe Ward, children’s outpatients, and A&E over Christmas and into the New Year was given a copy of Gerry Giraffe and the Loch Ness Monster – a charming and colourful illustrated story which they could keep.

These lovely books were actually written by our very own Pam Sharman – the multi-talented Cedar Court business development manager.

Sally Jochimsen, Individual Giving Fundraising Manager at Royal Surrey Charity who accepted the donated books on behalf of the hospital sent a lovely heart-warming message: “The team in the children’s department were absolutely thrilled to receive them, and the books were also shared with the children’s A&E, and children’s outpatients department so each child seen over Christmas received a gift to cheer them up after having been treated here. This kind donation has truly made a difference to our younger patients – a big thank you to everyone living and working at Cedar Court Care Home for thinking of us this Christmas.”

Donations to those in need

Those living and working at Troutbeck Care home in Ilkley, their families, and MMCG head office reached out to help people in the community in need recently. Not only did the home gather donations to the Keighley Salvation Army Christmas foodbank appeal, but team members there paid a visit to the food bank to understand more how it worked, and what was needed going forwards – reaching out and building connections with this important community charity.

Charlotte Brynes, care home manager, was among those from Troutbeck who visited the food bank and met with Captain Josh Selfe who helps run things there, to learn more about how the items are gathered, stored, and distributed, and how important donations like this are. Well done to everyone there for making a difference, and showing your commitment to your community.

Community is a key value for Maria Mallaband – and as these examples show, a strong community is a place of opportunities and positive experiences. With a community of people looking out for one another’s best interests, we can all be happier, healthier, and stronger.