It’s not every day when a care home can say that three members of staff make up 66 years of service but here at Willowdene Care Home of Lizard Lane, Sedgefield we are delighted to say just that.  Sue Thomas has been with Willowdene 20 years and Karan Robinson and Carol Heron have been here 23 years each.  Two of our team work in housekeeping and one in care and are a huge asset to the team here at Willowdene. To celebrate in style the residents and staff threw a surprise party for them at the home on the afternoon of 4th September.

Our third and final contestant in the Chef of the Year competition is Julie Birch from Garden Hill Care Home who cooked a chunky vegetable soup with warm roll, beef and onion cottage pie with carrots and broccoli which were cooked to perfection and a gorgeously creamy rice pudding with home made rhubarb sauce.

The battle of the Chefs has commenced in the North East for a position in the finals for the first Maria Mallaband and Countrywide Chef Competition.  The North East is delighted to have three of our own nominated for the finals and regional judging has commenced.  All three Chefs’ in the region have to prepare and cook a three course dinner within the resident’s budget.  A resident along with two regional judges are then required to sample all three meals and a pureed meal to decide who will represent the North East in the competition.

This week here at Hope Green the residents took part in a little baking, which went down a treat. A few of our residents and their family sat down to make and bake a few buns to serve with the afternoon tea trolley. Our residents enjoyed the activity and were very happy to know their cakes were served out to the rest of the home later on that day. This gives our residents a sense of accomplishment and we are very proud of them here at Hope Green.

Hope Green Care Home invited and entertained visitors at their Dementia Cafe event on Thursday 22nd August. Friends, family and guests enjoyed tea, coffee and homemade cakes, along with quizzes and games. 

We look forward to welcoming guests back at our next Dementia Cafe on Thursday 19th September. 

Two of our residents celebrated their wedding anniversary in August at Bowerfield House.

To celebrate everyone enjoyed a wonderful performance and singalong with a musician from Singing for the Brain. 

Congratulations from everyone at the home. 

Troutbeck Care Home have been involving residents in transforming some of the decoration around the home and making features of the communal spaces.

William Wragg local MP for Hazel Grove stopped by for a cuppa at Bowerfield Court on Friday 12th July where he met residents, relatives and staff . 

Troutbeck Care Home in Ilkley, held an open day on Friday 26th July to launch the opening of their new tea room for residents and their families, as well as fundraising for the local church by holding a raffle and tombola. Residents enjoyed a cupcake in the garden and making the most of the summer.

Home Manager, Charlotte Brynes said "It was a fabulous afternoon which was thoroughly enjoyed by residents staff and visitors."