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.

As we begin to transition from Summer into the Autumn months, another special occasion is upon us. It’s time to celebrate those who are often the unsung heroes of the team here at MMCG. So, Wednesday 1st September will be the very first Ancillary Day!

Proudly Launching Ancillary Day at MMCG

Friday 20th August at Belmont House Care Home we hosted a very special event, Bradlee Whittaker, a health care assistant at Belmont House Braved the Shave for Macmillan cancer support. Special guests, the Mayor and the Mayoress of Harrogate took part in the afternoons entertainments. We

Brave The Shave at Belmont

This afternoon’s activity was pizza tasting. We had a variety of flavours such as chorizo and anchovies, they were very tasty.

At a recent painting session, themed on the changing colours of Autumn , everyone had fun painting trees and some of our group even mixed it up a bit by adding buttons, with spectacular results.

As Autumn Approaches -Tree Painting

We recently all celebrated the birthday of the lovely Connie, who was so amazed by her cake and was super grateful it brought her to tears. Sometimes it’s the small things that makes peoples day and we all had a fantastic day celebrating.

Happy Birthday Connie

We celebrated Lillians 100th Birthday on the 13th August, she had family visiting and a lovely party with friends at Troutbeck.

Lillian's 100th Birthday

Hope Green love to celebrate Birthdays together and last week one of our residents celebrated with a wonderful session of Singing Together. Waving pom poms to the music, choosing favourite songs, reminiscing together and enjoying friendships made the day complete.

Birthday at Hope Green

Another afternoon on the decking enjoying the sun along with shandy and popcorn ,as soon as the sun comes out the residents like to go out and socialise in the garden.

Sunny Afternoon In The Garden

What a great day we had when Bowerfield House and The Belvedere joined together via video link to do “Resident Get Me Out Of Here”. It was so much fun and lovely to be out in the garden in the lovely sunshine, we found a shaded area to set up in.

Bowerfield House vs The Belvedere Resident Get Me Out Of Here

Bowerfield House enjoyed taking part in this month’s theme, Summer Holidays. We had a great day designing our kites, residents and staff signed our names on the kite and some did little drawings.

Bowerfield House Summer Holidays

Help Bradlee raise £500 for Macmillan Cancer Support on Friday 20th August, Brave the Shave

To Make a donation or to sponsor Bradlee please call in to our reception office or telephone 01423 580884

Registered Charity number (261017)

Brave The Shave

There was a lot of rocking and rolling enjoyed by staff and residents together, as we celebrated music, fashion, and fun. Bubble wands added to the party atmosphere and 'air guitar' poses for photos became a popular choice too.

Rock'N'Roll Time

We had the perfect weather to celebrate national picnic month. Last month we had the first of many mini picnics al fresco. Even in the shade it was scorching. Our residents enjoyed some light tapas and berry fizz.

National Picnic Month

Friday 13th and we had a 'Who want's to be a Millionaire' quiz, the questions seemed harder, we are not getting any where near one million!

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire

Always popular 'Play your cards right' some good clear rounds by our residents.

Play Your Cards Right

On National Elephant day we held our art class with the intention of an elephant being our subject, some good efforts but one resident excelled, the finished picture was one to be proud of. A great day in our art class.

National Elephant Day

Here at Abingdon Court we believe it is important to keep engaged with the local community. We have had great pleasure working with a local dementia café run by Dementia Friendly Abingdon, who do great work with those living with dementia in the local area.

Denim For Dementia Fundraising Day

Our Residents love a pamper, even some of the men do too. This was an afternoon of foot spas, sweets, manicures, Petals and a lot of Fairy Lights for the finishing touch.

Pamper and Petals

Allan Reynolds joined us to read exerts from his published books here at Troutbeck.

We have chosen a book to read called 'The Bakers Story' set in Keighley set in the run up to World War.

The Bakers Story Book

The residents got involved making cheese straws today. They all had a go at each step and encouraged each other along the way. The best part was tasting their goodies at the end.

Making Cheese Straws

Our Reminiscing Monday theme today was Schools. The residents looked at the photos and talked about their own experiences at school, bringing up some funny memories to share with the group. Some residents had similar stories to share while others were happy listening and taking it all in.

School Reminiscing

We enjoyed the sunshine today and got stuck into some word games. The residents had some anagrams to work out with a little clue. Then they found as many words as they could on the word wheel. They even beat their high score by finding 84 words!!!! Great team work!

Word Games at The Hawthorns

Our residents today enjoyed using different card making crafts to make personalised cards for friends and family.

We are sure that when the families receive the cards they will be over the moon.

Arts and Crafts

Today we used elephant based crafts because it was world elephant day. We discussed what the day was for and why its so important.

World Elephant Day

Today we celebrated the 2021 Norfolk and Norwich Beer Festival at Hawthorns with a range of Local Norfolk ales.

2021 Norfolk and Norwich Beer Festival

We have a very special addition to our flower collection here at Troutbeck care home, a double headed miniature daffodil, Grown by Muriel Allen this one has put a smile on everyone's face.

Double Headed Miniature Daffodil

Ashmead took the opportunity to take advantage of the break in the clouds on Friday 6th August 21 by hosting an Australian themed BBQ.

Australian Themed BBQ

At Coplands we have mini coffee shop inauguration ceremony held in Hawk unit dated 26th of July 2021 organised by home manager.

Residents attended the ceremony; everyone was having a great time and enjoyed the day with soft background music.

Mini Coffee Shop

One of our residents family member brought in some beautiful flowers for her. Our resident loved the colour of them and was very happy to have received such a lovely gift from family.

People born in the month of July are very optimistic. They have a tendency to be extremely positive in every situation. If you have a July-born baby, rest assured because he/she will be liked by all. July-borns focus on the bright side of life.

July Birthday Meaning

Lempen Theatre company entertained our residents with a story of 'The fisher and wife'

Theatre Comes To Troutbeck

Our activities theme for August here at Bowerfield Court is 'Summer Holidays'. We've spent time reminiscing about childhood holidays and what we enjoyed most about them. It was agreed that kite flying was fun and so we built and decorated our own.

Summer Holiday Reminiscing

Residents enjoyed a spot of baking today as we prepared a lovely biscoff flavoured cheesecake.

Baking at Manorhey

We just received a lovely package from Betty’s Harrogate, from a family member who’s father passed away last month. It was a thank you to the whole of Ashfield Court for the care he received for the 3 years that he was a resident with us.

Gift to Ashfield Court

Every month Hope Green is visited by a local accordion player who fills the garden with beautiful music and encourages everyone to get involved. There is something very special about 'live' entertainment and it's definitely something to enjoy with friends.

Live Entertainment at Hope Green

River View delivered some packages to Reading Hospice, The British Heart Foundation and Age UK charity shops in Reading. We appreciate the work the volunteers are doing, especially in the recent heatwave. So please do have a cup of tea and biscuits on us.

Keep Calm and Drink Tea

In Tilehurst we are blessed to be surrounded by an amazing community which was even more apparent over the last 16 months. At River View are aware that for some people it’s been very difficult not seeing friends and family.

Sharing With The Community

What a summer of sport! We were talking recently about how everyone welcomed the European Football tournament at River View. All those living and working at Riverview were cheering England on. England may not have won the final but River View won as a team.

Summer of Sport

As soon as the essential work on the roof came to an end our team of gardeners were straight into the garden and they have returned it to the lovely calm space we all know and love. We have thrown open the doors and welcomed all those who live and work at Riverview, plus guests back into th

Riverview's Garden

Everyone at Kings Court loved Wimbledon fortnight recently and we were sad to see it come to an end.

Wimbledon Celebrations at Kings Court

Recently we celebrated the Henley Regatta at Kings Court. There was a fabulous boat to row with picnic baskets and hats for the ladies and jaunty ties for the gents.

At Ashmead recently we celebrated National France Day. The whole day was a tribute to our French neighbours. The catering team prepared traditional French food, music to match the occasion was played and every effort to wear French dress was made.

National France Day

Activities at Deepdene are always varied, from basketball games and ice cream to more sedate art and crafts during one to one sessions.

Activities at Deepdene

Val and Mary joined other people living at Brunel House for a Royal Ascot Luncheon Club Meal. 3 courses washed down with sparkling wine. It was a lovely dinner had by many.

Royal Ascot Luncheon Club Meal

Physical activity is very important part of our daily routine at Ashmead.

With a regular Yoga sessions every Monday we help manage any aches and pains, reduce stress , improve sleeping habits and strengthen bones. We also have lots of fun doing it.

Bowerfield House and The Belvedere joined together and wrote pen-pal letters to each other. Pat and Joyce from Bowerfield House and 2 residents from The Belvedere - then me Barry and Pat had a lovely walk in the sunshine to the post box to post the letter.

Here at Acorn House we've been following the Olympics closely and decided to hold some events ourselves. Our residents have so far enjoyed taking part in bean bag basketball and balloon volleyball.

Olympics at Acorn House

Buckingham Hose would like to say a big congratulations to Robyn for being accepted on the Trainee Nursing Associate programme! Well done Robyn, we appreciate all your hard work!

Congratulations Robyn

We spent some time in the garden today preparing some bird feeders. The residents mixed lard and bird seeds to create a little feast in a cup for the many birds who come into our garden. We placed them around the garden in a variety of areas chosen by the residents.