Over 80 Care UK care homes welcome the public for National Care Home Open Day

Company news

Jun 19, 2014

Care UK is inviting people to see what life is like in a care home as over 80 of its homes open their doors to the public in support of National Care Home Open Day.      

The aim of National Care Home Open Day is to enable people to visit their nearest care home in order to change misconceptions of the care environment.  The day also allows residents to reconnect with their community.   

As the UK’s leading health and social care provider with 113 care homes across the country, Care UK is embracing the Open Day, with over 80 homes organising various activities for residents and visiting public.

Strictly Come Dancing star Ian Waite will be getting residents and visitors to Winchcombe Place in Newbury doing the ‘cha cha cha’ and will also be on hand to sign photos and autographs.

In Stratford-Upon-Avon, Ambleside care home will host a summer seaside themed day, complete with donkey rides, sandcastle competitions, traditional Punch and Judy show and a magic show.

In time for the sporting event of the year, Blyford care home in Lowestoft is holding a “World Cup Countries” themed day with food and activities from around the world.  Visitors can find out more about the home and meet the team over a continental breakfast and carpet Boules from France, or a traditional English fish and chips lunch with bar skittles and darts at midday.  Rounding off the afternoon will be a Brazil-themed BBQ.     

Meanwhile residents of Kingsfield care home in Faversham will give speeches on what it’s like to be a resident at the home, whilst entertainment will be provided with a musical memory themed day.

As well as having a tour of the home, visitors to Care UK’s participating care homes can pick up complementary copies of Care UK’s first-person 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 with a loved one in a care home and make the most of their visits.   

Rosalyn Walker, home manager at Hadrian House, said: “With 113 care homes across the UK, Care UK has pledged its support to National Care Home Open Day; and on a local level, we are looking forward to welcoming members of the public to our home.    

“Some people do still have misconceptions about care homes, and it is therefore necessary to dispel any myths and to demystify everyday life in a care home.  We are very proud of our home and keen to take the opportunity to showcase everything the care home has to offer and the difference it makes to our residents’ lives.  We have set out to create a fun and entertaining programme of community-focused events, and we hope members of the public will join us for what promises to be a memorable day.”    

To find your nearest Care UK care home and for full details of the diverse programme of activities planned, please go to www.careuk.com.       

Care UK’s free guides are available to download from www.careuk.com/talkdementia or www.careuk.com/abc

To find out more about National Care Home Open Day, please go to www.nationalcarehomeopenday.org.uk