Lowmoor Nursing Home Hosts Successful Blue Light Breakfast to Thank Local Blue Light Card Holders
Lowmoor Nursing Home in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, welcomed Blue Light Card holders to its second free Blue Light Breakfast on Friday 5 June 2026.
The event, held between 9am and 11am, welcomed representatives from the NHS, ambulance service, social care sector and other frontline services. It was organised as a gesture of appreciation for the dedicated individuals who support local communities every day.
The event was also attended by Lee Anderson, MP for Ashfield, who took time to meet guests and learn more about Lowmoor Nursing Home and its community activities.
Following the event, Lee Anderson MP said:
“It was great to visit Lowmoor Nursing Home in Kirkby-in-Ashfield this morning. It was lovely to meet the management and directors of this great local facility. This is a great event and a chance to chat to other blue light workers.”
The Blue Light Card scheme provides discounts and benefits to members of the NHS, emergency services, social care sector, armed forces, veterans and other eligible workers.
Manjas Lidder, Managing Director of Lidder Care, said:
“Our Blue Light Breakfast is a small way of saying thank you to the dedicated individuals who care for our community. We are proud to work alongside a range of key emergency service personnel every day.”
Since opening in 1994, the family-run nursing home has been at the heart of the Kirkby-in-Ashfield community, delivering specialist nursing and dementia care to its residents.
Manjas added:
“We were delighted to welcome so many guests through our doors, including Lee Anderson MP, which shows the continued local support for the initiative. As a care provider that has been in Kirkby-in-Ashfield for over 3 decades, supporting local people has always been at the heart of what we do.”
Lidder Care has been serving individuals across Mansfield and Ashfield for more than 30 years. The family-run care provider operates Newgate Lodge Care Home in Mansfield, Lowmoor Nursing Home in Kirkby-in-Ashfield and Lidder Care, a home care service supporting people across Nottinghamshire.
United by Sport: Burgess Hill Town FC and Keymer Hall Tackle Dementia
A new monthly community group bringing local sports lovers together through shared memories, stories, and connection
Keymer Hall Care Home, part of the award-winning Boutique Care Homes family, is proud to announce the launch of the Sporting Legends Café, a new monthly community group created in partnership with Burgess Hill Town FC.
Open to local older adults, sports fans, and anyone who loves good conversation, the Sporting Legends Café offers a relaxed, welcoming space to share favourite sporting memories, reflect on local football history, and celebrate the moments that have shaped people's lives. Whether it's watching England lift the World Cup, attending a local derby, or simply the thrill of sport shared with friends and family, every story has its place.
Sport holds a particularly powerful place in our long-term memory. For people living with dementia, familiar sporting moments, the roar of a crowd, a well-known team's colours, or the name of a beloved player, can spark recognition and emotion in ways that little else can. Christine Bunce, Home Manager at Keymer Hall, knows this first hand.
"Sport has this wonderful ability to take you straight back. Mention a particular match or a famous moment and someone's face just lights up. For our residents living with dementia, that kind of recognition is genuinely moving to witness. A shirt, a photograph, a song from the terraces, these things connect people to who they are in a way that's hard to put into words."
This understanding sits at the core of Keymer Hall's specialist Nostalgia Care approach, which uses memory, music, and meaningful activity to support cognitive wellbeing and emotional connection. The Sporting Legends Café is also a direct response to the very real issue of social isolation among older adults. By opening the group to the wider community, not just residents, Keymer Hall is creating a space where older people across Burgess Hill can come together, feel valued, and build genuine friendships around shared experiences.
"This café is for everyone," Christine adds. "Loneliness among older people is something we feel strongly about, and we want the Sporting Legends Café to be a warm, open door for anyone in the community who wants good company and good conversation. Our partnership with Burgess Hill Town FC is a perfect fit for that."
It's a sentiment shared by Burgess Hill Town FC, whose own commitment to the local community made the partnership a natural one. Dave Bradbury of BHTFC said:
"Football has always been about more than what happens on the pitch. It's about people, memories, and the moments that bring communities together. Playing an active role in local life matters to us, and this partnership is a brilliant example of that. We can't wait to get started."
Guests are warmly encouraged to bring along memorabilia, photographs, programmes, shirts, or any keepsakes that help tell their personal sporting story. The Sporting Legends Café reflects Keymer Hall's ongoing commitment to its Life Enrichment Programme, a wellbeing framework built around six core principles: Connect, Grow, Reflect, Feel, Move, and Contribute, bringing those values to life in a way that reaches beyond the home's walls and into the heart of the local community.
The first session takes place as part of Care Home Open Week on Wednesday 17th June, from 10:00am to 12 noon, with the group then meeting on the third Wednesday of each month. The next session follows on Wednesday 15th July.
The group is open to all. No booking is required, though anyone wishing to find out more is welcome to get in touch with the team directly.
For more information, contact: Keymer Hall Care Home 11 Kings Way, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 0TH Tel: 01444 222 548
Porridge, sunshine and 7am wake-up calls: Derbyshire care home residents share what makes them smile for Mental Health Awareness Month
Residents at a care home in Derby are marking Mental Health Awareness Month by proving that happiness does not always have to be complicated; sometimes it can be found in a bowl of porridge, a sunny day, or a familiar face popping in to say hello.
From family visits and countryside views to knitting, games and the sight of fellow residents smiling, residents at Coxbench Hall have been reflecting on the simple joys that support positive wellbeing in later life.
Resident Bruce said one thing that makes him smile is “seeing Elizabeth on tour checking on the other residents”, adding that he also enjoys Tony’s 7am morning call and seeing carers smiling.
For Pat L, happiness comes from “spending time with family, knitting, reading and playing games”, while Kath said simply: “Porridge makes me smile.”
Other residents spoke warmly about family. Margaret W said she feels happiest “when my sons come to see me at the weekend”, Freda said she is happy “when I see my family happy”, and Elizabeth said seeing her “children, grandchildren and great grandchildren” brings her joy.
Nature and community were also common themes. Andrew said “a nice sunny day” makes him happy, while Margaret C chose “a lovely day and beautiful countryside”. Joan J added: “When others are happy, it makes me happy.”
At Coxbench Hall, those moments are encouraged every day through a varied programme of activities, from seated exercise, craft groups, games and reading to weekly minibus outings, seasonal events and time spent in the gardens. The home also welcomes local toddler groups, helping to create intergenerational connections.
Claire Richardson, Director at Coxbench Hall, said: “Mental Health Awareness Month is an important reminder that emotional wellbeing matters at every age. In later life, people can experience big changes, from moving home and adjusting to new routines to missing loved ones or feeling less independent, so the small things really do matter.
“At Coxbench Hall, we know wellbeing is not always about grand gestures. It can be Tony’s 7am morning call, a carer’s smile, a walk in the garden, a visit from family, or, as Kath quite rightly reminded us, a good bowl of porridge. Our role is to create a home where residents feel known, connected and involved, because confidence, companionship and purpose are just as important as physical care.”
The home, which is an independent, family-run care home now in its 42nd year, places a strong emphasis on continuity, familiarity and meaningful relationships. Its long-serving team helps create a warm and reassuring environment where residents are known as individuals, with their routines, interests and personal preferences built into everyday life.
CARDIFF CARE HOME SOLD FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE OPENING IN 1989
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has announced the sale of Belle Vue Residential Care Home on Newport Road, close to Cardiff city centre.
Belle Vue is a long-established dementia care home registered for up to 39 residents. It operates from an attractive three‑storey Victorian residence which has been thoughtfully modernised over the years while retaining many of its original period features. The home provides 39 en suite bedrooms, alongside two comfortable lounges and a secure, well-maintained garden that has long been a valued feature for residents, families, and staff.
The home was founded in 1989 by a husband-and-wife team, who recently decided to sell to step back from the sector and enjoy a well‑earned retirement.
Following a confidential sales process with Oliver McCarthy at Christie & Co, it has been purchased by Danico Care (New Port) Ltd, which owns two other homes, one in Cardiff and one in Nottingham.
The home has now been re-branded as Ty Clyd, and is in the process of being refurbished so that it can focus on person-centered, quality care. The new owner aims to achieve an ‘Excellent’ rating from the CIW in due course.
A spokesperson for Danico Care (New Port) Ltd comments, “Belle Vue represents an excellent addition to our growing care portfolio. It is a well-run home with a strong local reputation, high-quality facilities, and significant potential for continued investment and development. I am looking forward to working with the team to ensure the home continues to deliver outstanding dementia care.”
Oliver McCarthy, Director - Care at Christie & Co, comments, “Belle Vue attracted strong interest due to its scale, location close to Cardiff city centre, and long-standing operational history. This transaction highlights the continued appetite for well-established dementia care homes, particularly those with scope to build on an already solid platform.”
Belle Vue Residential Care Home sold for an undisclosed price.
First Resident Takes Centre Stage as Oadby Manor Celebrates Grand Opening
A new care home in Oadby has officially opened its doors with help from the Mayor of Oadby and Jenny, the home’s first resident.
Born in Wigston, Leicester, 74-year-old mother and grandmother, Jenny Weetman, officially opened the home in a celebratory event with the local community.
Oadby Manor, a £15 million, 60-bed care home on Stoughton Drive South, welcomed members of the Oadby community, local organisations and special guests to celebrate its grand opening.
The event was officially marked by the Mayor of Oadby, Councillor Jasvir Chohan, alongside the home’s very first resident, Jenny.
Having lived locally all her life, Oadby Manor is the first care home Jenny has lived in. In just a short time, she has already made a lasting impression on both residents and staff – even helping the care team with recruitment.
Drawing on her previous experience working in a local hosiery factory and as a healthcare assistant at Leicester Royal Infirmary, Jenny recently sat in on an interview for a new care assistant, where she asked questions and, with support from the team, offered the candidate the job.
Reflecting on the experience, Jenny said, “I’ve worked in different roles over the years, but I never had the chance to interview anyone before, so that was something new for me. It was really enjoyable being part of the process and helping choose someone who will be caring for people here. It makes you feel involved and valued.”
Commenting on her new home, Jenny said, “I already feel so at home here. When I first arrived, I walked to the window in my room, looked out and thought, ‘wow’ this is fantastic. All the carers are lovely as is the food and general feel of the home, I am very happy here.”
Guests at the opening were given a guided tour of the home’s modern facilities, including 60 spacious en-suite bedrooms, welcoming communal lounges, a hair salon and landscaped gardens.
Home Manager Tamara Crosswell, who has 18 years’ experience in the care sector said, “The opening was a fantastic day and it was wonderful to see so many people from the local community come together to celebrate with us.
“We are incredibly proud of Oadby Manor and I am delighted to be leading such a passionate team, committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care for every resident.
“What will make this home truly special is our focus on each individual – their skills, their experiences and what they can still bring to daily life here. We want to create meaningful opportunities for residents to stay engaged and feel a real sense of purpose, just as Jenny already has.
“We’re also committed to being a responsible and active part of the community. All unused food from the opening has been donated to a local food bank, and we’re looking forward to building strong, lasting relationships with local groups and organisations.”
Mayor of Oadby, Councillor Jasvir Chohan, who officially opened the home added, “I was honoured to be invited to officially open Oadby Manor and to meet the dedicated team and residents.
“It is so important that people in Oadby have access to specialist care in a setting that feels safe, welcoming and connected to the community. This home is a wonderful addition to the town.”
Operated by Tanglewood Care Homes, Oadby Manor provides residential, dementia and respite care in a modern, supportive environment, with a strong emphasis on community engagement and wellbeing.
Care Home Open Week 2026 set to build on 2025 success as care homes prepare to welcome their communities once again
National event returns 15–21 June 2026 with World Cup football theme, following a record year of community celebrations across the UK
Care Home Open Week is set to return from 15–21 June 2026, with care homes across the UK once again invited to open their doors, celebrate their communities and showcase the warmth, creativity and vitality of modern care.
Building on the success of last year’s ‘Power of Music’ themed Care Home Open Week, which saw over 5,000 care homes host events ranging from tribute acts to choir performances, this year’s campaign is encouraging even more care homes to get involved and make the week their own.
Last year’s celebrations showed just how diverse and imaginative care homes can be when they invite the local community in. From a musical picnic in Somerset to a lively afternoon concert in Manchester, homes used the week to create meaningful moments for residents, families, staff and visitors alike, while strengthening connections with their communities.
Among the homes that helped make 2025 such a success was Allegra Care’s St George’s Nursing Home in Somerset, which celebrated with a musical picnic in its courtyard and café, complete with live entertainment, homemade food and visits from the Mayor and Mayoress of Weston-super-Mare. The event brought residents and guests together for a day of sun, music, good company and good food, with the home also hosting a community tea and cake to welcome visitors in.
At Heathlands Village in Manchester, the celebrations included a performance from the Manchester Mesivta School Choir, whose traditional Jewish and Israeli songs moved residents and guests alike, followed by an afternoon concert and tea. The week also featured guided tours, creating a vibrant and welcoming experience that highlighted the strong sense of community within the village.
Four Oaks Care Home in Trafford, embraced the summer theme with musical classics, canapés, mocktails, garden tours and a visit from the Mayor of Trafford. The home used the week to showcase not only its hospitality and care but also its landscaped gardens and welcoming atmosphere, while creating an enjoyable day for residents and visitors.
In Scotland, HC-One’s Highgate Care Home, marked the week with singing, dancing and a special visit from a Tom Jones tribute act, alongside performances from local children and appearances from dogs and other community visitors. The home also embraced Pride Month with rainbow-themed treats and decorations, showing how Care Home Open Week can celebrate both community spirit and individuality.
Royal Hampton Care Home also made the week memorable by welcoming a local flautist and vocalist, whose performances brought back cherished memories of opera, ballet and show tunes for residents. The musical celebrations created a warm, uplifting atmosphere and demonstrated the powerful role live entertainment can play in care settings.
Championing Social Care is now encouraging care homes to register for the 2026 event and use the week as an opportunity to celebrate their residents, staff and local relationships. This year’s World Cup theme is designed to be inclusive and flexible, allowing homes to shape their own activities around the interests and abilities of those living and working there. Care homes of all shapes and sizes are being encouraged to take part, whether through simple watch parties, football-themed games, group activities or community open days that reflect the character of each home.
Championing Social Care, which leads the initiative, is again providing free resources, downloads, templates and activity ideas to make participation easy and achievable for every home, regardless of budget or capacity.
Mitesh Dhanak, board member of Championing Social Care and chair of the Care Home Open Week committee, said: “Care Home Open Week is a wonderful opportunity for care homes to show the real heart of social care, which is welcoming, creative, community-minded and full of life. Last year’s events were a brilliant example of what can happen when homes open their doors and invite people in, and we want to congratulate all the teams who worked so hard to make them special.
“We’re really looking forward to seeing what homes across the country do this year, and with the World Cup theme there are so many fun, inclusive and memorable ways to bring residents, families and communities together.”
Care Home Open Week 2026 will also be supported by the Great British Care Cycle Relay, taking place from 11–15 June, which will visit Edinburgh, Manchester, the East Midlands, Cardiff and London in the lead-up to the main week of activity.
Care homes can register now and find out more at the Championing Social Care website https://www.championingsocialcare.org.uk/care-home-open-week/
Crystal Care Collection Prepares to Open New Lincolnshire Care Home
A new care home in Lincoln is preparing to open as the region continues to adapt to a demand for later-life support.
Tealwood Grange, part of Crystal Care Collection, will bring residential, dementia and respite care to the Lincolnshire, alongside around 60 new jobs and a community-focused approach.
Lincolnshire has one of the older populations in England, with around 23% of residents aged 65 and over¹, and that figure is expected to rise further in the coming years, underlining the need for care options that are local and designed for quality care in later life.
With nearly three decades of experience in health and social care, Emma Johnson, the appointed General Manager at Tealwood Grange, will lead the new team in creating a premium living experience for residents.
Emma said, “Tealwood Grange has been created to offer something special for people in Lincoln and the surrounding area.
“This is about more than opening a new care home. It is about creating a place where residents and families can feel reassured and local people can see the benefit of a new community resource.”
A key part of the home’s approach is its Community Tree initiative, which will help build relationships with local schools, groups, volunteers and organisations. The initiative is designed to create opportunities for residents to remain active participants in community life.
Tealwood Grange will be hosting a Grand Opening on Saturday 23rd May from 11:00-15:00, where all members of the community will be welcome to enjoy live entertainment, family friendly activities, delicious food and drink, and guided tours of the new home.
For more information on Tealwood Grange and it’s newly designed facilities, call 01522 243 537, email tealwoodgrange@crystalcarecollection.co.uk or visit the website. Tealwood Grange is located on Adam Grove, Waddington, Lincoln, LN5 9WQ (sat nav LN5 9QS)
Sources
¹Lincolnshire County Council Ageing Better in Lincolnshire
PENGUINS PROVIDE ONE FINAL SENSORY EXPERIENCE IN STOKE ON TRENT
Residents at Lovett Care’s Hilton House care home in Stoke on Trent were lucky enough to enjoy an extraordinary sensory experience when two Humboldt penguins, named Pringle and Widget, paid a visit.
It was the very last care home visit for the flightless black and white feathered birds, bringing an end to over a decade of penguin visits hosted by Heythrop Zoological Gardens where Pringle and Widget reside.
Accompanied by Barbara Marquez, an expert handler, Pringle and Widget spent the afternoon waddling around Hilton House and interacting with the residents. Gentle and social in nature, allowing for safe, engaging and close-up encounters, it was a truly memorable and fitting way to celebrate the human-animal bond and the many benefits of animal-assisted therapy.
After 50 years, Heythrop Zoological Gardens will soon close. The private zoo, has, over the years strived to educate on animal welfare and behaviour, as well as advance animal training standards worldwide. Its penguins are a multi-generation captive-bred. They are a social species, as well as placid, which makes them perfect for sensory experiences within a care setting.
Commenting on the penguin visit, Gemma Vaughan, home manager at Hilton House, says: “We were honoured to welcome Pringle and Widget to Hilton House for their last ever care home visit. The penguins were incredible; they waddled around the home freely and allowed residents to touch, stroke and hold them. It was a very special activity and lovely to see the residents smile, enjoying the sounds the penguins made as they went from room to room.
“Pringle and Widget have left a lasting impression at Hilton House; amazing memories have been made, and I am sure the penguins will come up in conversation for many months!”
“Pringle and Widget were amazing. I loved watching them waddle around. To have two penguins come to visit me is something I never expected!”
“Today was very special. To see a penguin up close and touch its feathers was magical. Pringle and Widget brought lots of joy and fun to the home.”
“It really is the end of an era. We have thoroughly enjoyed training all of our Humboldt penguins over the last 10 years or so, and the care home visits, such as the one to Lovett Care’s Hilton House, are always incredibly rewarding for the team. As we close the zoo, the penguin colony will all be re-homed together in a private collection here in the UK. We are very happy with their new surroundings and know they will go on to breed and prosper with their new carers.”
Hilton House is part of the Lovett Care Group. With a vision to create caring communities in which our elders thrive, Lovett is one of the UK’s leading care home groups with 28 homes across Greater Manchester, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire and Cheshire. Filled with joy, togetherness and love, Lovett Care homes are places where life is truly lived. For more information, visit lovettcare.co.uk.
Tanglewood Care Homes to open 22nd home with launch of Oadby Manor
Independent care provider, Tanglewood Care Homes, is set to open its 22nd care home this April, as the group continues its expansion across the UK care sector.
Oadby Manor, a new purpose-built care home in Oadby, is the groups first home in Leicestershire. The home represents a £15 million investment and will provide 60 en-suite bedrooms offering high-quality residential, dementia and respite care in a modern and supportive environment.
Designed to combine comfort, high-quality care and a strong community connection, the home has been thoughtfully developed to reflect the character of the surrounding area while providing residents with contemporary facilities and welcoming spaces to live and socialise.
The development will also support the local economy, creating 30 new jobs in the first phase of recruitment. When fully operational, the home will employ 59 team members across a variety of roles including care, hospitality, housekeeping and maintenance.
The home will include 60 spacious en suite bedrooms, modern communal lounges, a dedicated hair salon and landscaped gardens, offering relaxing environments both indoors and outdoors.
Alongside its focus on delivering high-quality care, Oadby Manor aims to become an active hub within the local community. The team will build strong links with local schools, charities and community groups, while hosting regular events and open days to encourage community engagement.
Tanglewood Care Homes continues to explore ways to improve environmental performance across its portfolio, ensuring new homes are developed with energy efficiency, responsible materials and long-term sustainability in mind.
Daniel Rowark-Donowa, CEO of Tanglewood Care Homes, said,
“Opening our 22nd care home is an exciting milestone for the Tanglewood Care Homes group and reflects the continued growth of our organisation. Our focus has always been on creating homes that deliver outstanding care while feeling warm, welcoming and connected to the communities they serve.
“As we expand, we are also committed to ensuring sustainability is carefully considered in the development of every new home, helping us create environments that are not only supportive for residents and staff today, but responsible for the future as well.
“We are incredibly excited to bring this new home into the heart of the community in Oadby, creating a home that will provide outstanding care for people in the surrounding area.”
Spring into Sport
There’s nothing much better than live sport for bringing people together – and there’s much on the way this March. The TNT Sports schedule is jam-packed with options for sports fans of all ages, giving residents plenty of reasons to get together, watch the action and discuss the latest talking points.
March gets underway with a bumper schedule of live sport, led by an action-packed run of Premier League fixtures; ideal for care homes looking to bring residents together around shared viewing experiences.
The month opens with a Midweek Takeover in the first week of March, featuring 10 live Premier League matches and every top-flight side in action. Coverage begins on Tuesday, 4 March with four fixtures, including champions Liverpool FC travelling to relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers FC (8.15 pm).
Momentum continues on Wednesday with five further live games. Highlights include Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa FC and Chelsea FC meeting at Villa Park (7.30 pm), while title contenders Arsenal FC travel to face Brighton & Hove Albion FC. There is also a London derby between Fulham FC and West Ham United FC, before the pick of the evening sees Newcastle United FC host Manchester United FC at St James’ Park (8.15 pm).
The midweek programme concludes with another capital clash as Tottenham Hotspur FC welcome Crystal Palace FC (5 March, 8 pm).
Two additional Premier League fixtures follow later in the month in the popular Saturday lunchtime slot: West Ham United FC hosts Manchester City FC on 14 March, and Brighton & Hove Albion FC faces Liverpool FC on 21 March.
Football remains a major draw throughout the spring, with TNT Sports now the home of the FA Cup through to the May final. Immediately following the midweek Premier League fixtures, the FA Cup Fifth Round takes place across 7–9 March.
There is also significant British interest in European competition, with Round of 16 coverage from the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Conference League providing further opportunities for communal viewing.
However, football is far from the only entertainment for residents. March also brings two full rounds of live action from Premiership Rugby, arriving hot on the heels of the Six Nations, alongside the start of the new MotoGP season.
For homes seeking lower-intensity viewing, golf fans can follow every LIV Golf event after TNT Sports secured the rights, while cue sports enthusiasts can track the World Snooker Tour throughout the season, culminating at the World Championship at Crucible Theatre.
Alasdair Collis, Director of Commercial Customers, TNT Sports, said: “Live sport is something that can be enjoyed at every stage of life. There’s nothing quite like it for bringing people together to share the communal pleasure of watching the action and then discussing the calls and controversies afterwards. Our March line-up is packed with something for everyone. Whether it is football, rugby, golf, or motor sport, there are many reasons for residents to watch live sport together and share passions that last a lifetime. Live sport is for everyone at every stage of life, and there is something for all sports fans to enjoy in TNT Sports this spring.”