Southampton’s new care home celebrates milestone with a special guest

Team members at Southampton’s newest care home were joined by the local community and a special guest to commemorate the home’s latest construction milestone. 

Care UK’s The Wickets, on Banister Road, was joined by the Sheriff of Southampton, Councillor Pat Evemy for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially declare the home’s show suite open.

To mark the occasion, the home’s newly appointed senior team, Home Manager Pooja Dhoot and Customer Relations Manager Nikki Toomer, also welcomed the community for a special event, complete with champagne, tea and cake. Guests in attendance were also given the opportunity to tour the new show suite to see what life will be like at the new care home. 

On the day, the new care home presented the £500 community donation to Caraway charity, who offer wellbeing and dementia support to older people in Southampton. 

Opening in the heart of Southampton in February 2026, The Wickets which will provide residential, nursing and dementia care for up to 80 older people, has been designed with residents' comfort and care in mind, and will also feature its own cinema and hair salon. 

The show suite is now open to all visitors, future family members and prospective residents for them to get a first look at what life is like at Care UK’s The Wickets.

Pooja Dhoot, Home Manager at The Wickets, said: “With the opening of our show suite, we are now one step closer to opening our doors. It was great to celebrate such a special milestone with the community and seeing their reactions as we unveiled our new spaces; it made all the hard work worthwhile. 

“Our neighbours have been so warm and welcoming, and we loved meeting so many local people – we already feel like part of the community!

“We were delighted to be joined by our special guests and would like to extend a big thank you to Councillor Pat Evemy for cutting the ribbon. It truly was a day to remember, and we can’t wait to invite everyone back for our Grand Launch in February!”

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilling lives, while also promoting independence, The Wickets will provide full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. The home will incorporate space for hobby and leisure activities and include its own cinema, hair and beauty salon and pub.