Ann and Peter have been married for 47 years, they have had three children together and have welcomed five grandchildren. In 2005, Peter suffered a stroke which has left Ann being Peter’s main carer. Peter was still working as an estate agent at the time of his stroke and it was very unexpected. Peter now struggles with his memory and his physical condition has become progressively worse as he loses muscle tone.

Ann and Peter moved to the Cotswolds four years ago to be closer to family, but of course Ann still gets very tired being the main carer. Ann and Peter have tried respite care a few times over the years and most recently at The Lakes Care Centre in South Cerney.

At home Ann is restricted on when she can go out shopping, when she can spend time with her friends and even just having some time in the garden.

During Peter’s latest stay at The Lakes Care Centre, Ann was able to have a few days away in Eastbourne with her son, grandchildren and their dog. Ann could enjoy some downtime knowing Peter was safe and happy at The Lakes.

Peter is comfortable staying at The Lakes and he likes the staff. Ann also feels at home at The Lakes with the friendly team and homely environment.

Ann says: “A short stay at The Lakes has given me the chance to recharge my batteries and have some freedom from being on call 24/7. It is essential for my health that I have a break too”.

Without the option of a short stay in a care setting Ann and her family would struggle to provide routine care for Peter and they would not be able to enjoy their time together as much as they do. When Peter is staying at The Lakes all the family are welcome to visit at any time and they can join him for meals or sit with him in the on-site café or in the large gardens.

The team at The Lakes is delighted to be able to support Peter and Ann, along with many other couples just like them in similar situations. If you would like to find out more about respite care at The Lakes Care Centre, please call 01285 702410 where the friendly team will welcome your enquiry.

We have a day jam packed full of entertainment for everyone! From 10:00am onwards there will be all sorts of things for you to come a long and enjoy. We will be starting out with an interactive art session with the local nursery, who always bring joy to our residents. The Nursery, residents, staff and you will be creating paintings using paint, paper plates, fabric, plastic cups and any other items we can get their hands on.

These amazing works of art will go on display with some fantastic photos taken by the residents in an art display. You will be able to purchase these amazing pieces of art, the funds raised will go towards more activities and outings for the residents. The fun doesn’t stop there; In the afternoon at 2:00pm we will be welcoming our residents favourite musical entertainer, Brian Slade, playing hits through out the ages. This is a firm favourite of our residents who enjoy a good dance! The Photos and Paintings will be available for purchase from Lunch time. Tea, coffee and cake will be avalible through out the day. 

At Avonbourne Care Centre we know that art plays a massive role enriching the lives of our residents. We have seen first hand our residents' faces light up watching plays, listening to music, planting, arranging flowers and just creating art together. We want to bust myths about the lives of those living in Care Homes; our residents have lived amazing lives and those lives don’t stop when they come to live with us.

Come visit us from 10:00am on Friday the 28th of June! Staff will be on hand to answer questions and we are more then happy to show you round the home at any piont during the day. We look forward to seeing you there!

#CareYouCanTrust #CareHomeOpenDay

For weeks, residents have been bringing out their artistic sides with Creative Mojo, an organisation that provides creative craft workshops. Residents have created lots of different artworks which are going to be exhibited and on view to the public around Woodstock on the day.

Care Home Open Day is an annual national event, where homes up and down the country open their doors to their local communities and celebrate a different theme each year. This year’s theme is the role of Arts in Care and demonstrating how care homes are creative communities.

This is certainly true at Spencer Court, where residents are looking forward to proudly showing their artistic creations to the public.

The home will love to welcome you to join them on this open day. Refreshments and activities will be available throughout the day so feel free to drop in at any point; everyone is welcome.

Event: Free art exhibition for Care Home Open Day

Times: 10am-4pm

Date: Friday 28th June

Location: Spencer Court, Union Street, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1JG

Find out more: Call 01993 812725 or follow on Facebook.

Langford View Care Home in Bicester will be encouraging the community to bring out their artistic side on Care Home Open Day on Friday 28th June.

A group of local artists will be attending the home on the day to create a huge piece of community art in the form of a beautiful mural on the fence in Langford View’s gardens. There will be ways for everyone to get involved, whether it’s contributing towards the mural or decorating stones which will be hidden around Bicester for #LangfordViewRocks. Another talented local artist will be creating a specially-commissioned piece of art all about Bicester and demonstrating different artistic techniques.

Care Home Open Day is an annual national event, where homes up and down the country open their doors to local communities and celebrate a different theme each year. This year’s theme is the role of arts in care and demonstrating how care homes are creative communities.

This is certainly true at Langford View, where residents are looking forward to proudly sharing their home and getting creative with the community.

The residents and the team at Langford View look forward to welcoming you to join them on this open day. Refreshments and activities will be available throughout the day so feel free to drop in at any point; everyone is welcome.

Event: Community art workshops for Care Home Open Day

Times: 10am-4pm

Date: Friday 28th June

Free to all

Location: Langford View, Coach House Mews, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX26 6EW

Find out more: Call 01869 252343 or follow on Facebook

Care Home Open Day this year is on Friday the 28th of June and the theme is ‘Celebrating Arts in Care’. The day allows care homes across the country to open their doors to the public for a fun-filled event promoting interaction, experiences and memories for the residents in the homes.

Carehome.co.uk has noted that care homes are “incredibly creative communities”. The Care Home Open Day gives residents the opportunity to be part of a national event showcasing their hobbies, talents and enjoyment through painting, sculpture, photography, poetry, movement, drama and music. Any art form can be portrayed.

At OSJCT our county homes are busy preparing for the day. Here is a snapshot of Gloucestershire’s plans.

Bohanam – Will start the day with music from the home’s handyperson with residents and visitors from the day centre in participation. A BBQ lunch will be available and the local community is invited to join. A competition for the best piece of artwork will be held and an art gallery on display of the works of residents and carers. Entertainment from Madame Merlot will be on show followed by a raffle to help towards the home’s amenities fund in the afternoon.

Chestnut Court – A 3D Chestnut Tree will be on display which the home has been working on. The leaves will be made of resident and carer handprints. Two logos of the Trust emblem have also been created made by various substances to help provide an engaging sensory experience. Interactive activities during the day include an art group, a guitarist and each household will be singing. The music continues into the afternoon with a piano player alongside an afternoon tea.

Edwardstow – Resident artwork will be exhibited across two of the residential floors for everyone to view. Willow Art, a local artist, will be holding art sessions in the afternoon and a watercolours workshop will be run by the carers. Handmade jewellery, embroideries and artwork by residents will be displayed as well as the work by community groups (local schools). The home café will be open all day.

Grace – A live concert called ‘GRACEstock’ will be held in the home. This will include a BBQ, summer games and animals visiting the home. Bands and performers will also be invited to enjoy the day with residents and the local community. The local school choir who will be performing during the day.

Henlow – A community art exhibition will be held in the home and an afternoon cream tea for everyone to enjoy. This exhibition will include participants from the Westonbirt Arboretum, local schools and nurseries. A musical soiree with the Cam Jammers Ukulele Group will also be in attendance for entertainment.

Millbrook Lodge – Is having arts and crafts for all to join, the local school will be coming to do a gymnastic display and a dance routine. Resident art work will be on show and an entertainer in the afternoon followed by a staff performance. Tea and cake throughout the day.

Monkscroft – An art exhibition will be on display to showcase various art projects which the residents have completed with the local community and also those they have done themselves. Many community guests will be coming along on the day. The local MP for Cheltenham will be attending in the morning followed by children from a nursery school and then at lunch time the Chief Constable. St Thomas’ catholic school will drop by in the afternoon along with the Mayor of Cheltenham and then the Chairman of the Royal British Legion. Members of the Oasis Community hub and students from Gloucestershire College will all attend the home.

Paternoster House – A garden party will be held and three schools will be in attendance to play a selection of musical instruments for the residents.

Southfield – The creation of a community fabric painting is the task for the day with residents, staff and visitors contributing throughout the day. Tea and cakes will be available and on sale towards the home’s amenities fund.

The Elms – Entertainment will be provided by a singer alongside tea and cake for all to sample during the day.

The Lakes – A craft workshop will be held with Cricklade manor in the morning. Admiral nurse, Nikki Rowe will be in attendance during the morning to help a dementia support group. In the afternoon Wild Woolly Women will be coming along to do a workshop. Wire Art will be made for people to watch and the Café Society will be in and out during the whole day.

Westbury Court – Is holding a ‘Fun Friday Festival’. Lots of activities will be occurring in the home. These include a blockbusters game, gardening with volunteers, a small animal petting area and in the afternoon the ‘Life of Riley’s’ band will be performing.

Windsor Street – Residents will be participating in a memory box activity as part of reminisce therapy. A magician will be on show during the day with musical entertainment to follow. In the evening the home will be having a cheese and wine event along with an art show.

Since these coffee mornings began they have provided an opportunity for friends and family to get together, see more of each other and socialise each week.

The home has welcomed lots of people of all ages to its coffee mornings; in fact, the youngest visitor was just a couple of weeks old and he attended with his proud mum. At Christmas there was a special appearance from Father Christmas and two of his reindeer who stopped by to spread festive cheer. The home has also held quizzes, competitions and themed mornings during its coffee mornings, so there is always lots going on.

This week, on Friday 31st May, the home is inviting along anyone who wants to find out more about the home as well as community groups that have supported the home with various projects over the last year.

Event: Meet the Team Coffee Morning

Date: Friday 31st May

Time: 10.30am-11.45am

Location: Langford View, Coach House Mews, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX26 6EW

Hot drinks and refreshments will be available and it will be a great chance to meet the team and other local, like-minded people from community groups in Bicester. Please do come along; the team at the home looks forward to meeting you.

Starting in June, Langford View will be inviting guest speakers to deliver talks on a wide range of interesting subjects every couple of weeks. So if you can’t make this week’s coffee morning please do phone the home on 01869 252343 or follow its Facebook page to find out more about what’s coming up soon.

Over 100 guests attended our 2019 Employee Awards ceremony, an annual county event which recognises care home and support team members for their work achievements.

Kerry Dearden, Deputy CEO, was our master of ceremonies and Dan Hayes, CEO, performed the opening address and Lucy Holl, Trust Operations Director, concluded the awards with the closing address.

Assistant Area Operations Director, Patsy Just, said: “We enjoyed celebrating the achievements of our colleagues across the county at our annual Employee Awards ceremony at the Randolph Hotel. It is one of our favourite events and gives us chance to thank those that go that extra mile or have worked hard to gain qualifications pertaining to their role.”

Qualification Achievers

Certificates and awards were presented by Sue Lane, HR Director, to our employees who have achieved qualifications in: Health & Social Care, Development of Nurse Leaders, Moving & Handling Trainer, Care Certificate Mentoring, Kitchen Services, Hospitality, Housekeeping and Support Services. Care & Quality Accreditation Awards were handed to homes for medicine management and well-being & dementia.

This year’s awards were presented by Millie Wentworth-Stanley, Deputy Chairman and Oxfordshire Trustee, to:

Residential Care Homes

Carer of the Year: Kristina Richens, Langford View
Young Carer of the Year: Holly Paget, Isis Care & Retirement Centre
Leader of the Year: Lyndsay Sard, Larkrise Care Centre
Hospitality Award: Jason Rees, Marston Court
Unsung Hero: James Heavens, Marston Court
Volunteer of the Year: Eric Cashman, The Meadows
Activity Co-ordinator of the Year: Angela Lindsay, Stirlings
Newcomer of the Year: Ellie Glenn, Townsend House
Office (Homes) Employee of the Year: Patricia Thomas, Langford View

The Long Service Awards were presented by Don Wood CBE, Chairman of the Trustees. These included:

30 years

Susan Crierie, Madley Park

Cristina Mackrell, Marston Court

Tracy Griffiths, Henry Cornish

Dan Hayes, Chief Executive at OSJCT, comments: "All our employees work very hard and are committed to reaching and maintaining the highest standard of care for our residents. The award ceremony provides special recognition to those instrumental to the Trusts achievements, made more special by the fact that they have been nominated by their colleagues. It is delightful to be able to celebrate individual successes together and I feel lucky to be associated with such wonderful people.”

Jo Blackburn, Care Quality Director, was our master of ceremonies and Dan Hayes, CEO, performed the opening address and Lucy Holl, Trust Operations Director, concluded the awards with the closing address.

Qualification Achievers

Certificates were presented by Sue Lane, HR Director, to our employees who have achieved qualifications in: Health & Social Care, Moving & Handling Trainer, Care Certificate Mentoring, and Team Leading.

This year’s awards were presented by Mark Cummings, BBC Radio Gloucestershire, to:

• Carer of the Year: Debbie Dyson, Southfield
• Young Carer of the Year: Cerys Jenkins, Millbrook Lodge
• Leader of the Year: Lynne Donaldson, Monkscroft Care Centre
• Hospitality Award: Ruth Habgood, Paternoster House
• Unsung Hero: Matt Gresty, Henlow Court
• Volunteer of the Year: Don Wagstaff, Windsor Street Care Centre
• Activity Co-ordinator of the Year: Karen Doig Bohanam House
• Newcomer of the Year: Lesley Strange - Southfield
• Office (Homes) of the Year: Sarah Griffin, Grevill House
• Trust Nurse of the Year: Joint winners - Tracey Click from Bohanam House and Kirsty Hopton from Millbrook Lodge

The Long Service Awards were presented by Dan Hayes, CEO. These included:

40 years

• Jane Matthews, Rodley House

30 years

• Lynda Preston, Paternoster
• Annette Davies, Rodley House

25 years

• Sandra Bartlett, Millbrook Lodge
• Linda Rivers, The Coombs
• Lynne Williams, Monkscroft Care Centre
• David Edwards, Chestnut Court
• Jackie Jones, The Coombs
• Julie Fluck, Rodley House
• Melanie Wicks, Chestnut Court
• Jennifer Newport, Millbrook Lodge

Dan Hayes, Chief Executive at OSJCT, comments: "All our employees work very hard and are committed to reaching and maintaining the highest standard of care for our residents. The award ceremony provides special recognition to those instrumental to the Trusts achievements, made more special by the fact that they have been nominated by their colleagues. It is delightful to be able to celebrate individual successes together and I feel lucky to be associated with such wonderful people.”