'The Seaton' celebrates National Care Home Open Day with bubbles and cream teas
On Friday 16th June, ‘The Seaton’ Care Home, part of independent care provider Southern Healthcare, opened its doors with fizz and cupcakes to welcome visitors and members of the local community to meet residents, and the healthcare team as part of ‘National Care Home Open Day’.
Long-established independent nursing care provider, Southern Healthcare has four homes across Devon located at Seaton, Plymouth, Exeter and Dawlish; specialising in complex nursing, dementia and residential care.
National Care Home Open Day is a UK wide initiative, which encourages thousands of care homes to open their doors to members of the pubic and local communities to view their facilities.
The open day means the general public can come in and really appreciate what it’s really like living in a care home and experience the comradery and expanded social life residents can enjoy when in care.
Emma Seal – Home Manager, The Seaton said: “The purpose of the day is to showcase what the homes are all about, the excellent care and activities programmes provided and how we work with local communities to develop long-lasting relationships. It helps to bring the outside in and create social interaction.”
She adds: “People often have a pre-conceived idea of what a care home is like, so I think people need to see the positive side of care and the quality of life that residents, and visitors alike can enjoy. At The Seaton we have a very enthusiastic care team ranging in age from 18 – late ‘60’s made up of a number of nationalities and both male and female, bringing variety and passion. As soon as you walk in, it has a real home from home feel – we’re just one big family really.”
The Seaton with 28 beds, providing nursing care mostly to people with physical disabilities, welcomed visitors with glasses of bubbly, homemade cupcakes, and cream teas served in their newly refurbished inner courtyard. Decorated with jolly bunting, the courtyard was officially opened in a ribbon cutting ceremony carried out by Dorothy Lord, one of the oldest residents at the home, who was ably supported by long-term residents, John Dennis and Jo Clements.
Emma said: “We’re delighted with the new spacious courtyard and the newly laid decking has doubled the space of this poplar meeting place- it’s a real suntrap! We’ve redeveloped the decking to enable access to all our residents to get out in the sun enjoy the weather and get some fresh air. Double doors from the main house lead on to the open space, located in the heart of the home and being on one level means everyone of all mobilities has access, including those in wheelchairs. Being in the centre of the building means it’s also a safe-haven for our few dementia residents. I want to take this opportunity also to thank my team, who are so passionate about everything they do – I couldn’t do it without them.”
www.southernhealthcare.co.uk
