Local carers were invited to a festive afternoon filled with tea, conversation and Christmas carols at a Ringwood care home.
St Ives House care home, on Horton Road, welcomed around 20 members of the Ringwood Carers Group for afternoon tea in the home’s in-house bistro, which was prepared by the home’s chefs.
Members of the Ringwood Carers Group care for their spouse, parent, or loved one on an unpaid basis and benefit from attending monthly meetings to talk to other like-minded people.
The group also enjoyed listening and singing along to carols played on the home’s piano by local musician Alan Poulton. It is the second time that the home has hosted the annual event as one of many initiatives it runs to support the local community.
Marion, a member of Ringwood Carers Group whose husband, David, now receives respite care at St Ives House, said: “David stays at the home every five to six weeks. All the staff are so kind and caring. It’s nice to have somewhere we can trust for David to receive respite care which they tailor to his needs. It was really good of the team to host the afternoon tea. They put on a lovely spread.”
Pat, who is also a member of Ringwood Carers Group, said: “It was a lovely treat provided by the home. It was nice to see the other members of the group to catch-up and my husband John enjoyed it too.”
Emma Cotton, Home Manager at St Ives House, said: “It was a privilege to welcome the Ringwood Carers Group in for a relaxing afternoon of tea, cakes and mince pies with live music. It was a pleasure to see everyone enjoying the music and each other’s company. At Care South, our ethos is all about Food, Fun and Friendship and this special event exemplifies how we bring that to life to support our local community, as well as for our residents and their relatives.”
Members of Ringwood Carers Group meet on the second Thursday of each month from 10.30am to 12pm at Trinity Centre in Trinity Church on Christchurch Road.
St Ives House provides residential, respite and dementia care with residents enjoying a daily programme of events led by an in-house activities team to bring them together to socialise and build friendships.
The home hosts Welcome Wednesdays sessions every week from 2pm to 4pm for local residents to attend and experience the warm, friendly atmosphere of the home. There is no need to book in advance. Just turn up on the day for hot drinks, cakes and friendly conversation.
Care South is a leading provider of high-quality residential and home care services across the south of England, with care homes in Dorset, north Devon and Somerset, and care at home offices covering Dorset and Somerset.
For more information about the care services available at St Ives House, visit care-south.co.uk or call the home on 01425 209464.