Ian Waite leads glittering grand launch for Newbury care home

Company news

Jun 25, 2014

Professional dancer, Ian Waite, best known for his involvement in BBC’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, led the celebrations at the glittering Grand Launch of Newbury’s newest care home, Winchcombe Place, which is situated on Maple Crescent in the town.

Ian Waite and the Care UK team at Winchcombe Place were joined by the care home’s residents and members of the local community, including pupils from the neighbouring Trinity School and The Winchcombe School, for a fun afternoon of music and dance. 

Trinity School’s Trinity Swing Band welcomed visitors to Winchcombe Place, before everyone was treated to a dazzling dance demonstration from Ian Waite.  Visitors then had the chance to show off their own fancy footwork when Ian took the lead in an audience participation Cha Cha Cha. 

Michelle Sides, home manager at Winchcombe Place, said: “The afternoon of Strictly-style sparkle was a fun way of marking the official opening of Winchcombe Place.  We were thrilled to have Ian Waite leading the proceedings at our Grand Launch, and it was fantastic to welcome along so many local people who helped to make the celebrations such a stand-out success.”

Ian Waite added: “It was a pleasure to meet the residents at Winchcombe Place and the team behind the home, and to help all involved in extending a warm welcome to the people of Newbury for the Grand Launch.  The live music and dancing brought everyone together across the generations, and there was a real party atmosphere which was a joy to be part of.”

The Grand Launch of Winchcombe Place coincided with Care UK’s support for National Care Home Open Day – an annual initiative which aims to dispel myths around the care environment, changing perceptions of care homes and connecting residents with their communities.

Visitors to Winchcombe Place were given the opportunity to pick up copies of Care UK’s free guides - ‘As Easy As ABC’ and the recently launched ‘Listen, Talk, Connect’.  The popular guides provide practical information and tips for those caring for loved ones living with dementia, as well as advice on how to communicate and make the most of their visits.  The free guides are also available to download from the Care UK website www.careuk.com/talkdementia.

Situated on Maple Crescent, Winchcombe Place provides a range of care services for older people, including residential and nursing care, specialist dementia care, short term respite care, and sensitive end of life care. 

For more information, please call Care UK’s customer relations manager at Winchcombe Place, Sacha Liddiard, on 07580 623904 or email Sacha.Liddiard@careuk.com.

www.careuk.com/winchcombe-place

Image captions

Image 1: Ian Waite; Sacha Liddiard, Care UK; Fliss Sullivan, Care UK; Lucio Falino, Care UK
Image 2: Hilary Beckingham, daughter; Ian Waite; Sarah Beckingham (granddaughter); Michelle Sides, Care UK; Sacha Liddiard, Care UK (Front Row): home resident Leslie Howman who was celebrating his 90th birthday at the weekend.
Image 3: Ian Waite and home manager Michelle Sides
Image 4: Ian Waite leads the Cha Cha Cha