Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk marks opening of Care UK’s tenth and final care home

Home news

Apr 28, 2016

The Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk, Lady Clare Euston, has joined residents and Care UK colleagues in Bury St Edmunds today as they celebrate the official opening of Glastonbury Court, the tenth and final care home to be opened by Care UK in Suffolk.

Lady Euston unveiled a commemorative plaque at Glastonbury Court, on Glastonbury Road, alongside Councillor Beccy Hopfensperger, Suffolk County Council cabinet member for adult care, and one of the new residents at the home.

The official opening was not only a special occasion for Bury St Edmunds, with Glastonbury Court being Care UK’s second new care home for the town, but also a celebration of the completion of Care UK’s £60 million Suffolk development project in partnership with Suffolk County Council.

Andrew Knight, managing director of Residential Care Services, Care UK, said: “We are delighted to officially open Glastonbury Court and we’re very pleased to celebrate this occasion with so many people who have been part of the project. I would like to say thank you to Suffolk County Council for working so effectively with us in the development and opening of each of our 10 new homes.”

Since 2012, Care UK’s Suffolk development project has seen 10 new care homes and 10 day care centres built across the county, each with modern and spacious facilities that will meet the residential, nursing and dementia care needs of older people in Suffolk now and in the future. Glastonbury Court in Bury St Edmunds was the tenth and final care home to open as part of the project.

Councillor Beccy Hopfensperger, Suffolk County Council cabinet member for adult care, said: “It is fantastic to see Glastonbury Court officially open. Everything about the care provided at Glastonbury Court is personalised to the residents’ needs, which is crucial because providing good quality care is important to us, as commissioners, and our customers. I am pleased that Glastonbury Court has opened in Bury St Edmunds as it offers a brand new, welcoming and homely environment with plenty of activities on offer.”

Castleoak have been Care UK’s construction partner throughout the development project. Phil Andrews, project director at Castleoak, said: “As Care UK’s construction partner, we’re proud to have successfully completed this ambitious new build programme. Thanks to the hard work and commitment of colleagues across Castleoak and Care UK, we have delivered quality living space for older people across Suffolk.”

The opening event at Glastonbury Court was attended by local councillors, community groups and health care representatives as well as members of the public who enjoyed an open afternoon with guided tours of the facilities, free refreshments prepared by the Glastonbury Court chef and musical entertainment. As well as the commemorative plaque unveiling by Lady Euston, attendees also enjoyed a celebratory film that looked back on the project and how residents are now enjoying life at each of the new homes. 

As a lasting celebration to mark the success of the project, Care UK will be commissioning a sculpture artist to create a permanent outdoor centrepiece at Glastonbury Court, which will be enjoyed by residents, colleagues and visitors for years to come. To find out more and to download the brief for Care UK’s Suffolk sculpture commission, visit careuk.com/suffolk-sculpture.

For more information about Care UK’s Suffolk development project and the ten Suffolk care homes and day care centres visit careuk.com/suffolk.