BARCHESTER HEALTHCARE BRINGS LUXURY NEW CARE HOME TO MAIDSTONE
Award-winning national care provider, Barchester Healthcare, has broken ground on a brand new 67-bed luxury care home development in Maidstone.
The new home, which will be named Orchid Place, is being built by Jenner (Contractors) Ltd, and is owned and will be operated by Barchester Healthcare. The home will provide personalised residential, dementia and respite care for older people in Maidstone and the surrounding areas from early 2028.
The luxury new home has been designed with residents’ comfort in mind with a café for residents to socialise and enjoy freshly baked treats, spa bathrooms for a luxury bath time experience, beautiful en-suite bedrooms with smart TVs, a choice of comfortable lounges, a dedicated activities room, a cinema for an authentic movie experience, and in-house hair and beauty salon for a little bit of pampering.
Barchester Healthcare is committed to providing a premium caring experience. Barchester staff take pride in getting to know each of their residents to provide tailored care and support, ensuring dignity and choice in every aspect of daily life. Once open, the home will provide a dedicated Life Enrichment programme which includes a choice of daily activities so that residents can continue to do the things they love, try something new and above all keep the enjoyment in every day. Talented chefs will prepare delicious, nutritious home-cooked meals from seasonal menus, created with residents’ preferences in mind.
Senior Property Development Manager at Barchester, John McElholm, commented: “We are really excited to get this project under way. Our Maidstone home will be a fantastic addition to the local community.”
Aaron Stoakes, Senior Surveyor for Jenner, said: “We are delighted to be starting this new project working with Barchester Healthcare once again. We are looking forward to the build process and working closely with the Barchester team. This is a fantastic looking building sited in a great location. Together with our management team and carefully chosen sub-contractors, we will deliver this project as planned by early 2028.”
The care home will have an on-site marketing suite that will open its doors to the local community and visitors in Autumn 2027.
Stories of Care: Kevin Humphrys, CEO, Oakland Care Group
Kevin Humphrys did not set out to work in social care. There was no calling, no long-held ambition, no carefully mapped career plan. In his words, he “fell into care accidentally”. And yet, his story is one that deserves the attention of anyone in management, leadership or operations who has ever wondered whether their skills could be used for something more meaningful.
Before social care, Kevin’s career was firmly rooted in what he describes as “generic management”: banking, recruitment, HR, operations. He had a knack for fixing things that weren’t working, stepping into struggling organisations and turning them around. He was good at it. But over time, something began to feel hollow.
“I reached a point where I realised I was essentially making more money for people who already had plenty.”
That realisation stayed with him. So when an opportunity arose to apply those same skills within social care, the shift was profound. Suddenly, the work had meaning. It mattered. And once he made that transition, he never looked back.
A baptism of fire
Kevin’s route into care was shaped not by a single defining moment, but by a chain of events that unfolded quickly and decisively. In 2010, he had just completed a successful turnaround project in the Home Information Pack industry. Then, overnight, everything changed. On its first day in office, the newly formed coalition government suspended the mandatory requirement for HIPs. An entire industry was effectively switched off.
Kevin went into work, made the whole team redundant – including himself – turned off the lights, and walked out.
Not long after, a trustee from a charity providing respite care for unpaid family carers got in touch. The charity was haemorrhaging money and on the brink of collapse. They asked Kevin if he could help.
He agreed to come in for six weeks to write a business change plan. Six weeks turned into something much bigger. At the end of the process, he was asked if he would consider applying for the role of Chief Executive to implement it.
At that point, Kevin knew nothing about social care. What he did know was business. He applied anyway – and got the job.
“That was my baptism of fire. I learned an enormous amount, very quickly.”
The charity survived. It still exists today. And Kevin is still in touch with its trustees. More importantly, something fundamental shifted for him during that period. For the first time in his career, he felt he was using his skills for something that genuinely mattered.
Learning the sector from the ground up
Kevin has now spent around sixteen years in social care. After his initial role in the charity sector, he made a deliberate decision to broaden his experience across different parts of the system. He wanted to understand the sector properly – not just from the boardroom, but from the ground up.
He joined Allied Healthcare to see how a large national provider operated, then took on interim roles across acquired brain injury services, learning disabilities, autism, domiciliary care, rehabilitation, and dementia care. Along the way, he became a registered manager, operations director, regional director, and eventually CEO of Oakland Care Group in 2022. He also serves as a Director of West Sussex Partners in Care.
He’s picked up fellowships and qualifications – including Fellowship of the Chartered Management Institute and the Institute of Leadership – but he’s clear where the real education came from.
“You can’t lead effectively in this sector without understanding what happens on the floor.”
What keeps him going
Ask Kevin what motivates him day to day, and the answer comes without hesitation: the residents.
Everything else, he says – regulation, funding pressures, politics – is noise.
“What matters is whether the people in our care are living well, with dignity and purpose.”
If he ever loses sight of that, he knows it will be time to step back and reassess.
He’s also driven by transformation. Social care, in his view, is a sector full of misaligned parts: fragmented funding, inconsistent regulation, workforce pressures, and a public misunderstanding of what care actually is and why it matters. Kevin thrives on taking something that’s struggling and rebuilding it properly.
Not quick fixes. Not surface-level improvements. But sustainable change.
“Each small improvement compounds. Better systems mean more time with residents. More time with residents means better outcomes. Better outcomes create more motivated teams. The cycle reinforces itself.”
Transformation at Oakland Care Group
When Kevin joined Oakland Care Group, much of the organisation’s operation was still manual and paper-based. Administrative tasks were absorbing time that should have been spent with residents.
Over the past few years, that’s changed dramatically. Oakland has implemented integrated technology across the organisation, including AI-assisted care planning and falls prevention systems. The aim was never innovation for its own sake.
“It was about freeing people up to do what they came into care to do.”
The results have gone beyond efficiency. The culture has shifted. Residents feel genuinely cared for. Team members feel valued and experience real job satisfaction.
“That’s the transformation I set out to achieve – not just better operations, but a place people want to work, caring for people who truly feel cared for.”
Leading through humility
One of the biggest lessons Kevin learned in his move from commercial sectors into care was humility. In previous roles, he was used to being the expert in the room. In social care, that approach didn’t work.
“I had to learn to listen – to practitioners, to residents, to families.”
Leadership, he realised, isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating the conditions where others can do their best work.
He’s also clear-eyed about the wider challenges the sector faces. Operational improvements matter, but they don’t address the deeper issue: chronic underfunding and public misunderstanding.
“There’s a perception that care providers are making huge profits. The reality is that 85% of us are SMEs operating on razor-thin margins.”
Changing that narrative – and showing the direct link between underfunded social care and pressure on the NHS – is, in his view, as important as anything happening inside individual organisations.
Culture as the proudest achievement
When asked about his proudest moment in care, Kevin doesn’t point to a specific award or milestone. He talks about people.
“When I see managers making decisions that prioritise residents over convenience, when I see practitioners advocating fiercely for the people they support – that’s the achievement. Culture is everything.”
That culture shows up in small, human moments every day: residents enjoying activities, families expressing gratitude, colleagues quietly going above and beyond. Kevin makes a conscious effort to notice and acknowledge those moments, even amid the inevitable problems and pressures.
Technology, trust, and time
One story he shares captures the essence of how thoughtful change can transform daily working life. Oakland recently introduced an AI system to support care plan composition. What once took over four hours now takes around twenty to thirty minutes, most of which is spent reviewing and refining rather than drafting from scratch.
One team member was deeply sceptical at first – a self-described technophobe, proud of their expertise and wary of change. Kevin worked closely with them, showing how the system could enhance, not replace, their skill.
Now, that same person is one of the strongest advocates for using AI in care planning.
“What changed was time. They’re now able to spend more of it with residents – and you can see that reflected in even more person-centred care plans.”
Seeing people first
For Kevin, great care work always comes back to one thing: seeing the person.
“You can teach competencies. You can’t teach genuine care about another person’s life.”
Over the years, his perspective has shifted. He’s become more patient with people and less tolerant of excuses. Early in his career, he focused heavily on systems and processes. Now, he understands that culture matters more.
Language matters too. How the sector talks about itself shapes how it’s valued.
“We should be calling ourselves what we are: care professionals. That signals there’s a career here, not just a job.”
A life beyond the boardroom
There’s another side to Kevin that often surprises people. Alongside his role as CEO, he is an ordained priest in the Church of England. Ordained in 2000, he has served as Associate Vicar of St Michael & All Angels in Brighton since 2019.
For him, the two roles are deeply connected.
“Both are about people – their dignity, their struggles, their need to feel valued.”
The pastoral nature of ministry has shaped his leadership style, just as his experience in care has informed how he serves his parish. They are not separate paths, but complementary ones.
Why care still matters
Care is hard work, Kevin is honest about that. It’s not always well paid, and it’s rarely easy. But it offers something many jobs don’t.
“You go home knowing you’ve made a difference to someone’s day – sometimes to their life.”
And for those starting out in the sector, his advice is simple:
“Ask questions. Stay curious. And never forget why you’re here. It’s not about the paperwork – it’s about the person in front of you.”
Martello Manor Welcomes First Founding Residents
Martello Manor by Boutique Care Homes is officially open. On Monday 22 June 2026, one of Kent's most anticipated new care homes welcomed its first residents through the doors, with the full team on hand to greet them and their families as they arrived home for the very first time.
Margaret and Joan have the honour of being Martello Manor's founding residents, the first of many whose lives will be shaped by everything this home has been built to offer. Their arrival marks the moment months of preparation, community engagement, and anticipation became a lived reality.
The day began with a blessing of the home, led by Reverend Michael Darkins, Vicar of St Leonards Hythe, and Reverend Dr Anderson Yan Oakley, Organ Scholar: a meaningful start to a day the whole team had been working towards for months.
Then came the moment that will not be forgotten quickly. As Joan approached the entrance, team and families lined both sides of the doorway and broke into applause. A gold ribbon stretched across the threshold. She cut it herself, entering the home to cheers from everyone around her, and raised her arms in celebration. It was, by any measure, the right way to open a home.
Inside, the warmth continued. Marlene Abreu, Home Manager, was there to welcome her personally, the same care and attention that will define every day at Martello Manor already on full display. Families who had spent weeks, sometimes months, navigating the transition to residential care found themselves not in a clinical institution, but in a home: warm, beautifully designed, and staffed by people who were genuinely delighted to have them there.
The opening is a milestone for Boutique Care Homes and for Hythe. Martello Manor has been designed from the ground up to offer something the area has not had before: premium residential and dementia care that feels nothing like a care home should, in a building purpose-built to make life genuinely good for the people who live in it.
Marlene Abreu said: "Today is the day everything we have been working towards becomes real. Every decision we have made about the home, the team, the way we do things, has been made with our residents in mind. Welcoming our first residents through the doors is one of the proudest moments of my career, and it is just the beginning."
Ameet Kotecha, Founder and Managing Director of Boutique Care Homes, said: "We set out to prove that care can be unexpectedly good, that it can feel warm, dignified, and full of life. Martello Manor is the finest expression of that belief we have built yet. Hythe deserves this, and we are honoured to be here."
Martello Manor offers residential care, specialist dementia support through Boutique Care Homes' Nostalgia Care programme, and short-stay respite care. Residents benefit from a dedicated Life Enrichment Programme, fresh meals prepared daily by an on-site chef, ensuite bedrooms, landscaped gardens, a bistro, cinema, and hair salon. The home sits at the heart of the Hythe community, with established partnerships already in place with Hythe Town Football Club, the Royal British Legion Hythe and Saltwood Branch, and the Hythe Dementia Awareness Forum.
For more information or to arrange a visit, contact the Martello Manor team at www.martellomanor.care.
Former trophy-winning Mexborough footballer makes triumphant return to old grounds
A former football player in Mexborough scored big when he was invited to return to the Montagu Cup Final as a special guest.
When the team at Care UK’s Montagu Hall, on Harlington Road, received the invitation for 80-year-old Bob Bennett to return to his old stomping grounds at Mexborough’s Hampden Road, they set to work.
Bob was born in West Melton, but raised in Wath and Wombwell, where his interest in football first began. Following in his father Ellis Bennett’s footsteps, a former footballer and manager in the Yorkshire league, Bob played for various teams throughout his early years, including Wombwell FA and Mexborough Town.
He first began playing for Denaby as a centre-back after leaving Wombwell remaining at the club for 16 years before retiring due to an injury in 1975. He participated in two Montagu Cup finals in 1971and 1972, with Denaby crowned as winners in both.
On the day of his special trip, Bob was joined by former football players and friends Paul Butterfield and Malcolm Godfrey at Mexborough’s Hampden Road – where the finals have been taking place since 1897 – to watch the showdown between Wickersley CC and The Gate Inn.
To make the day even more unforgettable, Bob was given the opportunity to return to the pitch after 51 years and meet fellow former Denaby players Pete Pettit, Mal Whitehouse, and Trevor Gough.
Bob said: “I was surprised to have been invited, but it was wonderful going back. I have always loved football and have made so many connections through my love of the sport. “
Following his football retirement, Bob taught Physical Education at Mexborough Grammar School, where he led the team to many successes, including winning the English schools under 19's competition in 1973. His pride and joy now lies in his happy marriage with his wife Cynthia, with whom he shares two children, Robert and Anna, and two grandchildren, Henry and Maya.
The visit was part of Care UK’s Wishing Tree initiative, which encourages residents to put their dreams forward, allowing them to reconnect with a past hobby or try something completely new. From flying a plane to enjoying a fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small for the team to try to grant.
Charlie Parker, Home Manager at Montagu Hall, said: “We know how much playing for Denaby means to Bob, so being invited to the final was incredibly special for him. As soon as we heard about the opportunity, we knew he had to be there.
“It was a real privilege to accompany Bob on the day and see just how much it meant to him. Watching him cheer on the team – with such a huge smile on his face – was truly priceless.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Montagu Cup Federation for making the day so memorable for Bob and giving him an experience he’ll treasure.”
Montagu Hall provides full-time residential and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to lead active and fulfilling lives, while also promoting independence, the home incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies, including a cinema, hair and beauty salon and café.
Care Home of the Month, Hendon Hall: Signature Senior Lifestyle
Hendon Hall has a unique legacy, including hosting the England World Cup-winning squad in 1966. How do you bring that history to life for residents and visitors today?
Hendon Hall has such an incredible history, and it’s something we’re genuinely proud of. The connection to the 1966 England World Cup squad is always a great talking point and gives the home a real sense of identity and character. Many of our residents remember that era themselves, so it often sparks lovely conversations, memories, and shared stories. We like to celebrate that heritage naturally through storytelling, photographs, and themed moments at big sporting events, helping residents and visitors feel connected to the building's history and the wider community around it.
Operating within a Grade II listed property, how have you balanced preserving the building’s character with delivering a modern, luxury care environment?
That balance has been really important to us because the character of Hendon Hall is part of what makes it so special. The building has so much warmth and personality, and we wanted to preserve that while still creating an environment that feels comfortable, luxurious, and well-suited to modern care. Residents benefit from beautifully designed spaces, elegant lounges and high-quality facilities, but it still feels like a home rather than an institution. We’ve worked hard to ensure the home supports accessibility, well-being, and everyday comfort while respecting the history and charm of the building itself.
Signature is known for its hospitality-led approach. What does “hotel-style living” look like in practice at Hendon Hall, and how does it enhance resident wellbeing?
For us, hospitality is really about how people feel when they live here. We want residents to feel relaxed, valued and able to enjoy life in a way that still feels personal to them. That means restaurant-quality dining, beautifully presented spaces, engaging activities and a team who genuinely know the residents as individuals. It’s not just about care needs, it’s about lifestyle, independence and continuing to enjoy the little things that matter. Whether that’s enjoying a glass of wine with friends, spending time in the gardens or joining one of our events, it all plays a huge part in overall wellbeing.
With residential, nursing, dementia, and respite care all offered, how do you maintain consistent quality while tailoring care to very different needs?
Everything starts with the individual. Although residents may require different types of support, everyone deserves the same level of warmth, dignity and personalised care. Our teams work incredibly closely together, and there’s a real shared culture throughout the home around quality and consistency. At the same time, we know no two residents are the same, so care plans, routines, activities and support are always tailored around the person, their preferences and what matters most to them. That’s what helps us create a consistent experience while still making care feel personal.
From landscaped gardens to communal lounges, which features of the home do residents engage with most, and how were these spaces designed with their needs in mind?
The gardens are a huge favourite with residents and families, especially during the warmer months. We’ve put a real focus on making these spaces that can be enjoyed across generations, and one of the things that’s gone down incredibly well is introducing activities for grandchildren to enjoy with their grandparents. It’s created some really lovely moments for families and brings so much energy into the home. Inside, our lounges and communal areas are designed to feel comfortable, social and welcoming rather than clinical. A lot of thought goes into how residents naturally use the spaces day to day, making sure they support independence, conversation and relaxation.
What is it about your team at Hendon Hall that consistently elevates the resident experience and sets the home apart from competitors?
Honestly, it’s the people. The team at Hendon Hall genuinely care and that comes through in everything they do. There’s a real warmth within the home, and residents become part of an extended family. It’s often the small things that make the biggest difference, remembering how someone likes their tea, knowing what makes them smile or taking extra time to support a family member who might be finding the transition difficult. That human side of care is what really sets the home apart and creates the atmosphere people feel when they walk through the door.
Billingham Care Home Recognised for Dementia-Friendly Commitment at Local Awards Ceremony
Residents and colleagues from Green Lodge Care Home in Billingham celebrated a proud moment at a special awards ceremony at Yarm School last week after the home received a Dementia Accreditation Award recognising its commitment to dementia-friendly care and support.
Five residents attended the event alongside care colleagues and enjoyed meeting representatives from organisations across the borough working to create more inclusive and supportive environments for people living with dementia.
The award was presented through Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Dementia Friendly Plus initiative, which supports organisations in becoming more dementia aware through training and community engagement.
As part of the accreditation process, the Green Lodge team undertook specialist dementia-friendly training sessions led by Lesley Tart, Community Link Worker and completed the programme requirements set by the council.
Resident James McHugh was especially proud to help Home Manager Kelly Levick and General Manager Vicky Hall accept the award from the mayor during the ceremony.
The event highlighted the importance of creating supportive and inclusive environments for people living with dementia while giving residents and colleagues the opportunity to mark the home’s achievement together.
Kelly said:
“We’re incredibly proud to have received this Dementia Accreditation Award. The whole team has worked hard throughout the accreditation process, and it was wonderful to share the occasion with our residents.
“James was absolutely delighted to help accept the award alongside Kelly, Vicky and the Mayor. It was a proud moment for everyone involved.”
The award reflects Green Lodge Care Home’s ongoing commitment to delivering compassionate, person-centred care and ensuring residents living with dementia feel supported, valued and empowered every day.
Green Lodge Care Home is part of Orchard Healthcare Group, which operates 23 care homes across the Midlands and the North of England. Orchard is committed to creating meaningful experiences that support residents to live life to the fullest.
It offers residential care, short-term respite care and residential dementia care and holds a ‘Good’ rating with the Care Quality Commission. For more information about the home visit: Green Lodge | Care Home in Stockton-on-Tees
For more information on Orchard Healthcare Group, call 01423 859859 or visit: Care Homes in the UK | Orchard Healthcare Group. The group has also achieved a five-star food rating at every home across its portfolio.
Taunton Care Home to Feature Latest Care and Renewable Energy Technology
Sherwell Manor, a new care home in Taunton operated by Crystal Care Collection, is set to open this summer and has been thoughtfully designed with high quality care and sustainable living at its heart.
The home will offer residential, dementia, and respite care for up to 66 residents. As well as en-suite wet rooms and bespoke fitted furniture, each bedroom will benefit from Sensio RoomMate, an innovate acoustic safety monitor so that future residents feel confident and independent in their new home.
Sherwell Manor’s renewable energy technology will include:
- Photovoltaic solar panel arrays generate a substantial share of the home’s electricity needs.
- Advanced battery storage systems optimize energy use, significantly lowering the home’s carbon footprint.
- Sustainable building materials carefully selected for their minimal environmental impact and thermal efficiency.
- Ground source heat pump technology harnessing the earth’s natural heat to further reduce emissions.
- LED, movement sensor lighting that uses less energy and produces minimal heat.
- Water-saving measures are integrated throughout the home, ensuring efficiency without compromising comfort or quality.
Marie George, the General Manager at Sherwell Manor, said, “By combining high-quality care with innovative technology and sustainable design, we can support both the wellbeing of our residents and our responsibility to the environment.
“The inclusion of Sensio RoomMate technology within every bedroom is an important part of this vision, helping to promote independence and dignity for residents while giving families additional reassurance.”
Crystal Care Collection’s all‑inclusive, ‘Crystal Clear’ fee at Sherwell Manor means one fixed weekly price covers everything from 24‑hour care, freshly prepared meals and housekeeping to hairdressing, chiropody, days out and a packed calendar of activities.
There are no hidden extras or surprise bills, so residents can simply enjoy life, and families have complete peace of mind about the cost of care no matter the needs of the resident.
Major Healthcare Joint Venture Signals New Era for Later Life Living in Medway
Montpelier Estates and Hervines Group Partner on Flagship Chatham Waters Care Home to Set New Benchmark for Care
Award-winning specialists in healthcare development and care home operations have formed an official, strategic partnership to develop and manage the much-anticipated Chatham Waters Care Home, a new luxury care home opening in Medway, Kent this Summer 2026.
The joint venture brings together Montpelier Estates, a specialist healthcare developer with more than 20 years’ experience, and Hervines Group, whose directors are long-established, high-quality care home operators with a strong track record in delivering person-centred care services. With more than 25 completed care homes across the UK in locations including London, Manchester and Coventry by Montpelier Estates, this new joint venture with Hervines Group has been formed with both development and operational expertise in mind to better meet the needs of future residents, families, and care teams.
The Chatham Waters Care Home that is currently under construction, will be a flagship development for the new joint venture partnership. Once complete, the multi-million-pound care home will offer residential, dementia and respite care in a purpose-built setting with waterside views, ensuite rooms, a dementia-friendly bistro, cinema, gym, sanctuary, salon, library, and sensory rooftop garden. The home has been designed to combine clinical excellence with comfort, clarity, and emotional wellbeing, with a strong emphasis on dignity, connection, and transparent pricing. The purpose-built care home will sit at the centre of the emerging ‘Chatham Waters’ neighbourhood - a major mixed‑use regeneration project in Medway, led by Peel Waters, transforming former docklands into a new waterside district.
“We are thrilled to be opening such an exciting Care Home in the heart of Chatham Waters with Montpelier Estates as our joint venture partner. We really look forward to delivering our vision to create a true sanctuary where people feel safe, valued, and at home.”
“This project has been much more than delivering a care home; it is heart-warming to become a part of the fabric of the whole community and partnering with Hervines to develop and operate the best possible care home together has enabled this. We really look forward to welcoming the first residents later this summer.”
Montpelier Estates is known for designing outstanding healthcare environments that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, while Hervines Group offers significant operational expertise and service innovation in the social care sector. Together, the two organisations are aiming to set a new benchmark for later-life living in Medway.
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.
BARCHESTER’S CELEBRATES COMPLETION OF WOKING CARE HOME
The Mayor of Woking, Councillor Amanda Boote, has celebrated the completion of Barchester Healthcare’s new luxury care home in Woking, Weystone Manor, in front of invited guests from the local community.
Pictured here cutting the ribbon left to right are: Barchester’s CEO, Dr Pete Calveley, General Manager, Abdul Rifai, Cllr Amanda Boote, Senior Regional Director, Jo Fitzgerald and Managing Director for the South West, Duncan Edwards.
Barchester’s CEO, Dr Pete Calveley, and General Manager, Abdul Rifai, hosted the event and invited guests to view the stunning new 62 bed care home, along with its beautiful landscaped gardens. The home has been designed with residents’ comfort in mind and the team at Weystone Manor will offer residential support, respite stays and dementia care, all delivered by a dedicated and passionate team of trained professionals.
At Barchester, everything revolves around the residents. From the person-centred care, to the dining experience and hospitality which is tailored to residents’ tastes and preferences, and the programme of life enrichment activities which offer choice that supports resident well-being across mind, body and soul. Each resident is an individual, and so too is the care that Barchester provides, and resident choice plays a really big part in that.
General Manager, Abdul Rifai, commented: “We are delighted our home is now completed, our residents are at the heart of everything we do at Weystone Manor, and we look forward to welcoming them and their families, and becoming an active part of the local community.
“We take pride in really getting to know each of our residents to provide tailored care and support, ensuring dignity and choice in every aspect of daily life.”
Councillor Amanda Boote, Mayor of Woking said: “I was delighted to be invited to unveil a plaque and to formally cut the ribbon to mark the completion of the new Weystone Manor Care Home. It was a true honour to visit this wonderful new facility, which represents not just bricks and mortar, but a commitment to dignity, compassion, and community for our older residents.
“Weystone Manor will be a place where people are cared for with warmth, respect, and professionalism, and I am proud to see such an important investment in the wellbeing of our town. On behalf of myself and the borough, I wish Abdul Rifai, the General Manager, and the staff and residents, every happiness and success as this new chapter begins.
“I was truly touched by the passion of both the staff and the management team on the day, as well as the amazing thought and insight that have gone into creating such a wonderful residence.”
Barchester’s CEO, Dr Pete Calveley, added: “Weystone Manor is going to be a wonderful home, Abdul and his team here will offer personalised care for the people of Woking and the surrounding area in this lovely setting. We’re thrilled to add Weystone Manor to our Barchester family of quality care homes and hospitals.”
