Ellesmere's royal opening
Date: 19/11/2008
HRH Countess of Wessex Opens Innovative New Care UK Residential Home in Chelsea
An innovative new care home, run by Care UK, has been officially opened by HRH The Countess of Wessex in Chelsea. Ellesmere House works in partnership with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to provide residential care for older people, and offers a unique approach to care, which enables residents to stay as active and independent as possible.
The innovative approach taken by staff at Ellesmere House is called Activity Based Care (ABC) and is simply a move away from residential care as 'doing for' towards a more creative, adaptable and beneficial 'doing with' approach. Each resident is supported to succeed with extra help during a huge range of daily tasks, often reflecting their own life history or work experiences, from maintaining a flower garden to helping with jobs they would normally do in their own home.
Ellesmere House is a beautiful environment, with a lot of bright open spaces, and the state of the art building includes courtyards and contemplation gardens, with opportunities for residents to enjoy their own space, as well as lounges and recreational areas for group activities.
The team at Ellesmere House includes hostesses, who provide a concierge service including organising hair appointments or trips to the theatre, but will also help residents with organising birthday or Christmas presents for friends and relatives, and will simply spend time with the residents, chatting, playing board games, reading or flower arranging and many other activities
Ellesmere House was recently awarded a two star rating from the Commission for Social Care Inspection, the highest rating a new home can receive on its first inspection, when it received an unannounced inspection earlier this year. Inspectors spoke to residents who commented that the home was “like a 5 star hotel with care thrown in”.
Tony Hosking, Managing Director of Residential Care Services at Care UK said:
"Care UK are extremely proud that our care home, Ellesmere House, is being officially opened by HRH the Countess of Wessex, and we have enjoyed showing her round the exciting new facilities which our residents enjoy. Care UK’s Activity Based Care approach means that residents stay independent and active for longer, enabling them to lead fulfilling lives."
Therese Laurent, home manager at Ellesmere House, said:
"I am delighted that the Countess of Wessex took the time to visit Ellesmere House to talk to residents and staff and to officially open the home. Our staff works hard to ensure that residents receive the individual care and attention they need, and it is very exciting to have a VIP to officially open the home."
Cllr Fiona Buxton, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said:
"We are thrilled with the outcome of the council’s partnership with Care UK and that Ellesmere House has been so successful in the few months that it has been operating. We look forward to the good work of the staff there continuing, to provide the highest standards of care to residents."
