Our stories

Peace of mind

Moving into a care home made easy

Our care team are here to make sure that making the move is as easy as possible for you and your loved one. If you still need reassurance, here are some stories from our residents, their families and our care team.

River View Care Home in Tilehurst recently hosted a "Come Dine with Me" themed day to celebrate equality and diversity. The special world tasting menu included dishes from Mexico, the Caribbean, Poland and Lebanon cooked by our in-house Head Chef Antonio Carvalho.

Come Dine with Me

Willowdene Memory Walk

We've been stretching, toe tapping, swaying and singing along to some energy boosting beats!.

The Wharf Care Home

Kents Hill Care Home are the proud sponsors of Aspley Guise Under 8's Stags football team. We have come together to become a donation point for all unwanted but useable sports kit that will be donated to KitAid. KitAid will send all donations over to developing countries where footbal

We are looking for your old football kits and boots!

On World Gratitude Day we spent the day talking about things that matter the most to the people living with us at The Belvedere and what we are most thankful for.

World Gratitude Day

It was Macmillan Coffee morning at Croft House today, due to COVID-19 we unfortunately couldn't have families to join us but the staff and residents loved the cakes, buns, cookies and scones we had. They went so quickly!!

MacMillan Coffee Morning

It’s not only TV chefs who can set up their kitchens anytime any place. With our new mobile kitchen equipment people living at Minster Grange can now cook or bake anytime any place too.

Cooking Up Cookies

Kents Hill Care Home are very excited to announce the reopening of their Dementia Suite 'Forget me Not'. Lots of hard work, determination from the staff team and brainstorming of new ideas has brought the suite to life with a garden area, beach theme and London wall murals.

Reopening of Forget me Not

Willowdene Care Home on Lizards Lane, Sedgefield are delighted to announce we completed the memory walk for Alzheimers Society on Saturday 19th September. We walked from Durham to West Auckland which is approximately 14 miles and took 4 hours 15 mins and we raised £1000.

Willowdene Memory Walk

During these unprecedented times we find ourselves in, we come together on the 10th of September to celebrate International Day. This Day represents cultural diversity between staff and residents.

International Day

Maria Mallaband and Countrywide – keeping our residents safe and connected during Covid-19.

Maria Mallaband and Countrywide Coronavirus Update

Thanks to the kindness of The York Bird of Prey Centre, our residents were treated to a garden visit by two of their stars.

Birds at Minster Grange

Celebrating all things French this week at Heeley Bank Care Home with a wine and cheese tasting event to start the week off, which was enjoyed by all.

French Week at Heeley Bank

During art class one of our ladies wanted to paint a picture of her granddaughter's favourite flowers so she could frame it and give it to her for her engagement present. We went to the garden to pick some of the flowers so she could use them to inspire her painting.

Flower Gifts for Family

Jayne the home manager at Wyndham Hall was moved when she saw a balloon release recently held on Copacabaña Beach. The release was in recognition of the 100,000 people who have died in Brazil as a result of COVID-19 and she decided she wanted to do something sim

Wyndham Hall pays tribute to victims of COVID

After a nail-biting week of dreadful downpours, the rain stopped and the sun peeped out just in time for our Summer Garden Party on Sunday 30th August. We all enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of live entertainment, hand jiving, garden games, bubbly, jam and cream scones and a

Minster Grange enjoy the sun

This year, White Rose Lodge brought the Care Awards to the home. It was a day of celebrations.

Care Awards at White Rose Lodge

This month the notion was to ‘play’. No matter the age ‘to play’ is vital to unlocking our creative selves and our subconscious. Taking this into consideration the residents were gathered together around a large table, with a large sheet of paper for all to share.

Play At White Rose Lodge

The residents at Willow Bank recently enjoyed a Caribbean and Indian Food Carnival. In preparation for the Carnival the residents made decorations and masks to wear.

Carnival at Willow Bank

Our green fingered residents had fun planting herbs, cauliflowers and spring onions in one box and pumpkin seeds in the other.

Garden at Croft House

Acorn House have recently been asked to join a group called elderly friends.

Pen Pals Near & Far at Acorn House

When Anne separated from her husband 13 years ago, she never thought she’d find love again, that was until she moved into Willowdene Care Home in July 2019 and met Gerry. Anne who is due to turn 78 at the end of September met Gerry, 82, when she moved into the home and the pair

Love is in the air at Willowdene Care Home.

We did a repeat of an activity for the first time this week, but they looked so beautiful the first time around I thought we needed some more!

Art at Belvoir Vale

Water Royd Care Home was decorated in flags and bunting to create a street party feel when everyone in the home gathered together to celebrate 70 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe.

VE Day Celebrations

Birthday celebrations were in full swing at River View Care Home recently when Eileen Atwell celebrated her 100th birthday.

Eileen Celebrates 100th Birthday

Our lovely sensory room on EMI is massively popular with our residents (pictures don't do it justice!) They love to sit and watch the lights while listening to soothing, relaxing music, sometimes even falling asleep!

Sensory room at Croft House

At Brunel House we have spent time personalising some of the items we use daily such as tray tables and zimmer frames. Our residents have chatted about their interests and then used this inspiration to personalise or "pimp their zimmer frames".

Some of our residents are very creative and during a craft session we decided to personalise tray tables with positive images that bring happiness.

Personalising Tables at Brunel House

Here at Croft House we had a bit of a pamper day on nursing yesterday, most just wanted them filing but this one lovely lady wanted the full works! She chose this lovely pink and was over the moon with how pretty she felt and commented on what a lovely feeling it gave her.

Pamper Day at Croft House

We have recently recruited two new members to our team at Blenheim Care Centre, Garry, a five year old tortoise and Doogle who has been with us for a few months now.

Two new team members at Blenheim Care Centre

One of fantastic residents Alan has been leading seated, gentle movement and stretch groups for our lovely residents at The Wharf. Lilly, one of our carers has been integral in getting everyone together, in place comfortably and ready to start. It was truly amazing to

The Wharf Care Home

It was decided that at our next Craft Club, we would make memory boxes! We purchased some boxes online and then the residents began to decorate the outside of them. We added on some photos of the residents to the front of the boxes.

Craft Club at Oaklands

One of our residents was keen to have a go at playing category snap. There are four categories and you need to match them to win. There are several other games you can use these cards for, for example name the pictures.

Card Games at Clumber

One of our lady's enjoys using felt tips to colour pictures so we sat and did some colouring, she carefully studies her picture before starting and then creates beautiful artwork.

Colouring at Clumber

Congratulation to our very own Kumar, who was been Awarded Administrator of the Year at this years Maria Mallaband & Countrywide Care Awards 2020

Congratulations Kumar - Administrator of the Year 2020 !

“Ahoy, me hearties!” was the sound heard across Ashmead Care Centre as we celebrated our very first Pirates Day.

Pirate Day at Ashmead

Here at Willowdene Care Home we were delighted we had been nominated for Care Home of the Year, Aleksandra Rymut in the kitchen was nominated by you all for Master Chef, Ruth Pearson for Housekeeping Highflyer and

Care Awards at Willowdene

Nestled in a sleepy, yet oh so beautiful village in the Cheshire countryside, is Birch Heath Lodge, Christleton. We don’t let a pandemic stop us having fun so, every few weeks, we have an afternoon party.

Birch Heath Lodge Afternoon Tea Parties

Residents and staff were celebrating after Joanne Ball, Care Assistant at Alexandra Court Care Home was named Carer of the Year 2020 at the recent Maria Mallaband Care Group and Countrywide Care Homes Annual Care Awards.

Winner at Alexandra Court

During the pandemic, at Alexandra Court, we have had a 100th birthday celebration where Margaret received her birthday card from the Queen. The staff held a small socially distanced gathering to celebrate.

100th Birthday at Alexandra Court

Gladys celebrated her 100th birthday with us at Manorhey. The staff decorated her room with balloons, all in matching colours and we had a cake made and for her which was shared out with all residents, at the afternoon tea we held on the floor Gladys lives.

100th Birthday Celebrations at Manorhey

Alexandra Court have made the most of the beautiful weather, of late and held numerous concerts outside. The residents have thoroughly enjoyed the events, whilst sipping on cold drinks in the fresh air.

Alexandra Court Outdoor Concerts

On Wednesday 12 August, Amber Court had an Hawaiian Theme Day. Residents and staff dressed in grass skirts, leis and bright colours. Hawaiian music was playing and everyone enjoyed an Hawaiian style buffet. Marianne, Activities Coordinator taught staff how to dance to the Huki L

Amber Court's Hawaiian Theme Day

Residents and staff at Parksprings Care Home have created over 100 'High Tea' gift boxes, filled with goodies for our local heroes.

Parksprings High Tea Boxes

Abbey View's Maintenance man has created a wonderful outside visitors room. It is very simple but it is a lovely area for visitors to meet, in the good weather. They just have to add some flower pots and a book where people can right some messages.

Abbey View Outside Visiting Space

Margaret Brown celebrated her 100th Birthday on Sunday 23rd August, at Thorntree Mews. Not quite the birthday the family had planned, but Margaret started the day with breakfast in her room, then began the pampering session.

100th Birthday Celebrations at Thorntree Mews

We were excited to welcome our first visitors back to Abingdon Court on 6th July.

Abingdon Court welcomes back visitors

Residents and staff were celebrating after Buckingham House Care Home was named Care Home of the Year 2020 at the recent Maria Mallaband Care Group and Countrywide Care Homes Annual Care Awards.

Buckingham House wins "Home of the Year"

Residents and staff of Windmill Court Care Home were celebrating after their colleague Jemma Hartley won the award for the “Most Innovative Activities Programme” at the recent Maria Mallaband Care Group and Countrywide Care Homes Annual Care Awards. It was a double c

Windmill Court are winners at Care Awards

Ashmead Care Home paid its very own special tribute to Dame Vera Lynn who sadly passed away at the age of 103 recently.

Dame Vera Lynn Remembered