In October, Harrington Home invited the team at Care Home Magazine to attend the opening of their first care home, Aston Manor, located on the outskirts of Aylesbury. The home was designed by Catalyst Interiors, who are specialists in healthcare interior design and fit-out. Read on to discover more about our day at Aston Manor, where we enjoyed a tour and learned more about the structure of the home’s day-to-day life.
Walking into Aston Manor, we were welcomed into a stunning open-plan reception area by the friendly team. With chatter and the gentle melody of a talented harpist filling the space, we were immediately immersed in the premium care experience that Harrington Care Homes prides itself on. The entry space proves to be the heart of Aston Manor, with a beautiful open bar area flowing into some of Aston Manor’s top-class facilities: the Cinema, Piano Bar, Private Dining Room, and Hair & Beauty Salon. We were welcomed with a drink and given the opportunity to explore the luxurious space, which felt uplifting and full of life.
After a speech by Rishi Dhamecha, the Managing Director of both Harrington Homes and its sister company Only Care, we were invited to tour the home with Eleanor, the Welfare and Activities Coordinator at Aston Manor, who was very knowledgeable, and passionate about improving residents’ lives. There were so many outstanding aspects to the home that it would be impossible to list them all. However, I did notice a few features I especially appreciated as we toured the three-story house.
The Wellness Centre, which includes the Hydrotherapy Suite and Physiotherapy Suite, has been carefully designed to benefit both residents and the broader community. It features a dedicated, secure external entrance, allowing access for external services, and it provides a vital hydrotherapy resource for the local area.
The Hallways were decorated with bespoke artwork, positioned at key points, such as the crossroads near the nurse station, to provide visual cues for navigation. It was particularly nice to note how the local area inspired this artwork, allowing residents to recognise specific pieces of art and associate them with places they had visited.
Overall, the design and décor of Aston Manor were breathtaking, with elegant designs which didn’t detract from the homely feel of each room. Embedded within the interior design were practical features such as handrails, which blended into the wall panelling to provide functionality without making the space feel clinical.
It was particularly inspiring to speak with Rishi Dhamecha after our tour. He was beaming with pride as he saw his visions for Harrington Care Homes come to life. From our conversation, it appears that this is just the beginning, and I’m excited to see how they continue to grow and succeed in the care sector.
