Mayor cuts ribbon at care-home reopening

The Mayor of Alnwick attended the official reopening of one of the town's care homes recently, following an investment of more than £350,000.
From left, Alan Symmonds, Mayor of Alnwick, resident Alice Aubrey and Chris Anderson, home manager.From left, Alan Symmonds, Mayor of Alnwick, resident Alice Aubrey and Chris Anderson, home manager.
From left, Alan Symmonds, Mayor of Alnwick, resident Alice Aubrey and Chris Anderson, home manager.

Alan Symmonds was joined at the event at Hillcrest Care Home by residents, staff and families.

The day commenced with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the front of the home with Coun Symmonds accompanied by resident Alice Aubrey, who is nearly 100, and home manager Chris Anderson.

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A plaque recognising the event has also been displayed inside the home.

The Mayor was given a tour of the new tactile and interactive areas within the home, which are part of a dementia-friendly approach to living.

He was joined by staff and residents for a light buffet lunch with canapés, fresh fruit and other refreshments.

A family member of one resident said: “We love the changes that have been made to the home.

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“The new areas, allowing them to touch and feel different materials and objects, are getting them talking about their memories.”

The 48-bed home is housed in a large, impressive Georgian building, which was built by a wealthy brewing family in the 1800s, but is remembered by some following its stint as a maternity hospital in the 1950s.

As previously reported by the Gazette, an investment of more than £350,000 was made in the home, bringing it up to date in terms of internal and external appearance, and care provision.

A prominent focus for the renovation was the introduction of a dementia strategy, which the Executive Care Group has been implementing across a number of its homes.