Introducing Care South
We are a not-for-profit charity running care homes, care at home, and assisted living communities across the south of England.
We offer professional, compassionate support tailored to the needs of each individual, whether that means roundthe-clock assistance, respite care, or help at home. Guided by our HEART values—Honesty, Excellence, Approach, Respect and Teamwork—we are committed to going above and beyond to ensure the wellbeing of our residents and clients.
We invite you to visit our homes and see firsthand why residents, their families and friends rate us so highly.
At Care South, we place our residents and care at home clients at the heart of everything we do. Our ethos of Food, Fun, and Friendship encourages an enriched lifestyle that fosters new experiences, social connections, and tailored dining preferences. Each resident’s care plan is bespoke, and we continuously seek their feedback to ensure they lead happy, fulfilling lives.
Welcome from Simon Bird the Chief Executive Officer of Care South
Welcome to our latest edition of Care South Insights. Across the pages, you will read about our fantastic new care home, Marjorie House, which opened to new residents in September last year. You will also be able to read about what one of our residents, June, enjoys most about living at Marjorie House.
This is a guide for local communities and visitors to learn about some of the great events and activities happening in our care homes, from circus skills workshops to gardening clubs.
There are also some helpful features including frequently asked questions, how to choose a care home, and paying for care home fees.
You’re invited to join us for Welcome Wednesdays which take place in all our care homes every week from 2pm to 4pm. You will meet our friendly care home teams while enjoying afternoon tea, with the opportunity to have an informal look around the home. Please come along to our next event, if you can!
As you peruse this magazine, if you have any questions about our care homes and the services we provide, please give our team a call. You will find the contact details on the back page.
In the meantime, I hope we have given you a small ‘Insight’ into life in our Care South communities.
What is care?
At the heart of our care homes are dedicated teams committed to helping residents lead fulfilling lives. Residents thrive in a safe, respectful environment with 24hour care, enabling them to maintain their independence while knowing support is always available.
We offer tailored care to meet each individual’s personal needs, fostering joy, connection, and purpose. With delicious meals, engaging activities, and warm companionship, life at Care South is all about Food, Fun and Friendship.
Our teams provide residential, nursing, and dementia care, with compassion and respect at all times. Guided by our HEART values, we ensure every resident feels valued, supported, and truly at home, receiving the care they need to live a meaningful and enriched life.
Wishes can come true!
Do you have a lifelong passion you’d love to keep pursuing? With the support of our care home team, you can!
Whatever sparks your interest, our dedicated activities teams are here to make it happen. Whether it’s flower arranging, crafts, live music, board games, baking, or football, you’ll find like-minded residents to share your hobbies with and a vibrant activity programme to explore both new and familiar interests.
We believe every resident deserves to enjoy their unique passions and experiences. For example, turn to pages 22–23 to read about Ann’s delightful horse and carriage ride, Jerry’s return to his old cricket club, and Tom’s visit to his former shooting club. With our support, you can continue living an extraordinary life filled with the activities you love most.
From assistance with meals, bathing, dressing and personal care to giving medication, care plans and monitoring health and wellbeing, our role is to provide a continuity of care for you or a loved one, whenever a helping hand is needed. Whether staying for respite care or on a permanent basis, the same high standard of care and support will be given by our devoted teams.
Fern Brook Lodge residents go back to the 60s
Fern Brook Lodge care home residents headed back to the 60s for one night only as they enjoyed their own festival.
Tracy Weeks and Cara Shearwood (Care Assistants) organised the 60s festival for the residents.
Performers on the bill included Danny Jukebox, Lee Knott, Tasha Gray (Care Assistant) and Gillingham Imperial Silver Band featuring Taylor Crowther (Senior Care Assistant).
They performed a range of songs from yesteryear including Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra, Stand by Me by Ben E. King, and What’s New Pussy Cat? by Tom Jones.
Margaret, who lives at Fern Brook Lodge, said: “It was a very enjoyable afternoon. My favourite song is My Way by Frank Sinatra, which Danny Jukebox sang. It was the first time we’ve had that 60s festival event, and I’d definitely like to do it again.”
Music-based therapy is proven to aid social engagement and activity among people living with dementia. It helps to build social connections and boost mood. All of our homes focus on providing music-based activities for the residents to enjoy.
Care South’s Dementia Care Coaches
All of our care homes and care at home offices have Dementia Care Coaches.
Representatives from each care home and care at home office regularly complete intensive training programmes led by Karen Hodges, Group Dementia Lead for Care South. These trained coaches enhance care practices, support the wellbeing of residents with dementia, and provide additional assistance to their families and loved ones.
Maggie Searle, Director of HR, said: “We are incredibly proud of our Dementia Care Coaches and the positive impact they have on residents, their families, and our care teams. This initiative reflects our commitment to compassionate, person-centred care, ensuring residents continue to live with dignity and respect. By continuing to equip staff with specialist knowledge, we are strengthening the support we offer across our care homes and care at home teams.”
This programme reinforces our dedication to delivering the highest standard of care, ensuring that residents with dementia and their families receive the guidance and support they need.
Care South at Home services
If you or a loved one wish to stay independent in the comfort of your own home, care at home might be the perfect solution.
Our Care South at Home team can provide flexible, personalised care to meet a range of care needs. They can help with respite care or continual daily support from help around the home to more complex care.
Care services at home include:
• Companionship
• Personal care
• Stay at home assistive technology
• Housekeeping and home help
• Collecting prescriptions and shopping
• Active recovery, reablement and rehabilitation
• Mobility, adaptations and aids
• Administration of medicines
• Complex care including dementia and end-of-life care
Meet our clients Margaret
Margaret thrives in her own home with the Care South at Home team visiting four times a day. The support Margaret receives spans from getting her day started with personal care and the preparation of her breakfast, companionship visits at lunchtime, through to helping her get ready for bed at night.
She said: “I can’t speak more highly of Care South at Home’s carers. They’re absolute diamonds.
She added: “In the morning, they help me to get up, washed, and dressed. They prepare my breakfast and my morning cup of tea. They open all the curtains and even make my bed for me before they leave.
“At lunchtime, they prepare my lunch, make me a cup of tea, and do the washing up and then we have a chat. In the evening, they help me get ready for bed and switch off the lights as they go. I really don’t know what I’d do without them.”
Our ‘fabulous’ new Marjorie House care home is now open
The Mayor of Poole helped to cut the ribbon on our new residential care home near Sandbanks where residents now enjoy views over Poole Harbour towards Brownsea Island.
Scores of people turned out to see Cllr Pete Miles officially open Marjorie House, on Crichel Mount Road, alongside Chris Kean, Chair of Care South, and Simon Bird, CEO.
Afterwards, guests enjoyed drinks and canapés as they took a tour of the home to see 50 ensuite, fully-furnished bedrooms in a variety of sizes, styles with beautiful views across Poole Harbour towards Brownsea Island. Marjorie House has been welcoming new residents since September last year.
Cllr Pete Miles, the Mayor of Poole, said: “Marjorie House is just fabulous. It’s really nice. I love the concept and the Art Deco style of the building, which is in-keeping with the style of homes in Sandbanks. It’s a wonderful care home and it is a very special place for the residents to live in.”
Each of the three floors in Marjorie House features a dining space, dedicated activity area, lounge overlooking Brownsea Island as well as a smaller private lounge. The first floor also includes a bar area, Captain’s Club, for our residents to enjoy drinks together, and there is a hair and beauty salon for some pampering and relaxation. Residents have a choice of places to relax and enjoy the views from the balcony, terraced gardens and a landscaped courtyard. There is even a small putting green.
Marjorie House
Simon Bird, CEO of Care South, said: “I am immensely proud of our stunning new care home, Marjorie House. It is in an incredible location, providing care for people in the local community. Our aim is and has always been to create a comfortable home for residents in later life and our ethos is all about Food, Fun and Friendship to ensure that residents continue to live happy, fulfilled lives in our care.
“Care South is a very proud partner with Lewis-Manning Hospice Care. Marjorie House is named after the late Marjorie Lewis-Manning who founded their amazing charity on this site many years ago, and Care South is so proud to continue supporting Marjorie’s vision of providing care to the community from this site.”
Sebastian Wincelewski, Home Manager for Marjorie House, said: “We were absolutely delighted to welcome the Mayor of Poole to cut the ribbon on our new residential care home. We had such a fantastic turnout for the event, which marked the countdown to the first residents moving in and this becoming their home where they are supported by our kind, compassionate team.”
Meet the residents June at Marjorie House
June was one of the first residents to move into Marjorie House when it opened last year. Formerly living in Poole and briefly staying in a London care home, June wanted to return to the stunning views she used to enjoy, coupled with round-the-clock support provided by the care home team.
June said: “It’s the nicest place I could imagine. I sit in my chair on the balcony overlooking Poole Harbour, and I’m in heaven. The atmosphere here is joyous.”
She praised the dedicated staff, highlighting their quick response and teamwork, saying “Nothing is too much trouble for them. They’re very good.”
June enjoys every meal at Marjorie House. “Here, I’m well-fed with nutritionally-balanced, beautifully presented meals. Breakfast often looks like a flower, and it’s delicious,” she said.
Since her arrival, June has also rediscovered her creative talents. Inspired by a conversation with one of the care home’s chefs, Leslie, she began painting and writing rhyming poetry. “At last, I’m getting my creativity back,” she added.
Another great example of Food, Fun and Friendship at Care South.
Call the Marjorie House team to find out more on 01202 148221
Welcome Wednesdays
2pm - 4pm
Join us for Welcome Wednesdays at any of our care homes across the south of England, happening every Wednesday! Enjoy complimentary homemade cakes and a selection of hot and cold drinks. Come and experience our warm community atmosphere.
Everyone is welcome! No RSVP needed.
Contact us for more information on: 01202 712410
Choosing the right care home
Finding the right care home for you or your loved one can feel overwhelming. Here’s a quick fivestep guide to simplify the process:
Step 1 – What are your needs?
Determine the care you or your loved one needs. Is help needed with daily tasks like eating and bathing or specialised care for conditions like dementia? At Care South, we provide residential, dementia, nursing, and respite care tailored to individual needs.
Step 2 – Research and shortlist
Research potential care homes online and seek recommendations from friends, family, or healthcare professionals. Contact homes to ask about costs, services, and availability.
Step 3 – Visit the homes
Visit shortlisted care homes to meet the teams and see the facilities. Observe how staff interact with residents, ask about meal plans and activities, and discuss specific care requirements to ensure the home is a good fit. Make sure you meet the manager - your relationship with them is so important in the care of you or your loved one.
Step 4 – Schedule an assessment
Once you have chosen the right home, you can ask for an assessment to be carried out. Care homes will always carry out an assessment prior to a resident being admitted to ensure that they can meet the individual needs of you or your loved one. This often takes place face-to-face but can be done over the phone, if preferred.
Step 5 – Plan the move
Work with the care home team to ensure a smooth transition. Bring familiar items to help you or your loved one to feel comfortable in their new surroundings.
Speak to our friendly team about how we can support the needs of you or your loved one
Spring and summer gardening in our care homes
The joy of gardening is universal and has no age limit, which is why all our care homes have a garden for residents to continue pursuing their passion.
From planting seeds and bulbs to harvesting fruit and vegetables, our care home gardens provide a great source of joy to the residents all year round. Each home’s activities team organises a range of clubs and sessions to bring residents together to share their love of gardening while enabling them to stay happy, healthy and active.
Gardening clubs
Many residents enjoy being part of their own gardening clubs where they get together to grow their own flowers, fruit and vegetables in colourful pots and planters. We have a team of gardeners who do all the general maintenance of our gardens, which means that residents can spend their time doing the bits they enjoy and not the gardening chores, like weeding and cutting the grass.
Gardening has a host of mental and physical benefits for everyone but it’s particularly beneficial as we get older. These include:
• Social opportunities for residents to connect with eachother over shared interests
• Sense of accomplishment - the wonderful feeling of successfully growing plants, flowers, fruit and vegetables provides a huge boost to self-esteem and confidence
• Exercise - walking around the garden, digging the soil, sowing seeds, and watering plants
• Improved mobility - gentle bending, reaching and stretching can help to improve flexibility and mobility
• Getting outdoors in the fresh air and sunlight boosts vitamin D levels helping to maintain healthy bones as well as being a great mood-booster
Sensory spaces
Many of our care home gardens have been designed to offer a sensory space for people living with dementia or sensory impairment. Scents from sweet peas, lavender and roses can stimulate memories. Touch can be stimulated through tree barks and grasses, and residents can listen to a host of noises from birds, bees and other wildlife visiting the gardens.
Accessible for everyone
The gardens feature wide, flat walkways and raised flower beds to make them accessible to everyone, with plenty of outdoor seating areas and benches to enjoy some quiet time. They also serve as the perfect setting for residents to attend a host of garden parties and barbecues and to make the most of the sunnier weather, with friends and family always encouraged to join in the fun.
Foodie fun in the care homes
Elizabeth House residents had a lot of fun trying a range of ice cream flavours during a tasting session. Michael enjoyed the pistachio flavour while Pat and Sheila chose rum and raisin.
Dorset House residents made shortbread and decorated rich tea biscuits with children from Muddy Boots Nursery. Together they rolled out the shortbread mixture and then cut out the shapes ready for the chefs to bake in the oven.
Reflecting on our ethos of ‘Food, Fun and Friendship’, we have a real focus on providing a range of nutritious, fresh food on our menus for residents to enjoy. Our chefs chat to residents to find out about their likes and dislikes and tailor the menus accordingly.
Residents also enjoy getting hands-on with making some lovely treats. Here’s a flavour of what they have been up to recently...
Wickmeads residents enjoyed baking cupcakes for other residents and the care home team. They also reminisced about making cakes as children.
Buxton House residents held a bake sale and pyjama day in aid of Children in Need. A host of cakes were on sale made by residents and staff including cupcakes and muffins.
Castle Dene residents marked International Men’s Day with a fish and chip lunch from their local takeaway, followed by a chat and sing along to some of their favourite songs.
St Ives House residents got involved with making Christmas cakes on ‘Stir it up’ Sunday. Every resident had the chance to make a wish as they stirred the mixture before it went into the oven to be baked.
BEAUCHAMP HOUSE
COUNTRY HOUSE CARE
Mayor of Taunton cuts the ribbon on newly-refurbished Beauchamp House
The Mayor of Taunton cut the ribbon to mark the completion of two and a half years of loving and painstaking refurbishment works on our beautiful Grade II Listed Beauchamp House.
Residents, relatives, and the care home team looked on as Cllr Vanessa Garside led the ceremony, alongside Simon Bird, CEO, and Chris Kean, Chair of Care South. The care home’s ‘most experienced’ resident, Barbara, who turns 100 later this year, and Debbie Lane, Home Manager for Beauchamp House, also assisted with the ribbon cutting.
Afterwards, Cllr Garside and Mayor’s escort, Doctor Chief Mansour Jumaa, took a tour of the newly refurbished bedrooms and communal spaces which include an onsite cafe, lounges, a library, dining rooms, and even a hair and beauty salon. They also looked around the extensive gardens of the home, which include a patio with raised flower beds for residents, and a pavilion facility shared with the assisted living residents of the neighbouring Beauchamp Gardens.
Following her tour, Cllr Garside said: “I think it’s probably the best care home I have visited since I started my Mayoral year. The renovations are splendid and the rooms have been beautifully refurbished. It’s like being in a posh hotel with the best facilities. I think that the home offers a good quality of life to the residents.”
The Mayor’s escort, Doctor Chief Mansour Jumaa, said: “I’m envious of the residents who live at Beauchamp House. I think all care homes should be like this. We have been to several care homes and this is in a class of its own.”
“I am delighted to celebrate the completion of the refurbishment works on Beauchamp House, which will enable our residents to receive high-quality care in this historic Grade II listed building for many years to come. I’m also immensely proud of the whole team at Beauchamp House, who have continued to provide exceptional care to the residents throughout the whole refurbishment process.”
Simon Bird, CEO of Care South
Making moments matter:
Activities across our homes
No two days are ever the same in our care homes with a variety of activities and events taking place seven days a week. Our residents particularly enjoy crafts, live music and animal visits, but they also try a whole host of other hobbies...
Buxton House residents put on a medal- worthy performance at their own miniOlympics
Beauchamp House residents raised £144 for Age UK Somerset at their Alpacas, Tea & Tombola event
Fern Brook Lodge residents cuddled some cute guinea pigs and rabbits from Hooves, Hounds and Hutches
Elizabeth House residents celebrated The National Day of Arts in Care Homes with painting, colouring and crafts
Fairlawn residents welcomed Louis the Labradoodle from Caring Canines
Dorset House residents ate fish and chips during a trip to the seaside in Swanage
Alexandra House residents played a variety of games, including table football, at one of their Welcome Wednesday sessions
Castle Dene’s Men’s Club zoomed over to their local Harley Davidson motorbike dealership for lunch
Fremington Manor residents had fun taking part in our gingerbread house decorating competition
Wickmeads residents used swimming pool noodles and beach balls in a fun session with Antony from G Fitness
Sussexdown residents made a flying visit to Shoreham Airport to watch planes taking off and landing
Kenwith Castle residents listened to soothing music from Emmanuel the saxophonist followed by tea and cake
Talbot View residents got creative while painting wooden bird boxes
Marjorie House residents and their friends drank tea and ate cake at their Macmillan Coffee Morning
Maiden Castle House residents made clay birds with the help of Deborah from Creative Clay for All
St Ives House residents soaked up the sunshine while playing croquet on the lawn
Residents at Kenwith Castle in Devon were delighted to see a miniature Shetland pony trotting into the care home.
Rusty from Star Acre Farm came to meet residents in the lounges and in their individual rooms. Their faces lit up as Rusty travelled from room to room. Many residents reflected on their own horse-riding days, including Rosemary, who was a very confident rider and used to live on a farm.
Kenwith Castle also enjoys visits from Bella the dog from Pets as Therapy, who comes in to see residents and to have a fuss while sitting on their laps.
Animal therapy offers a host of benefits for older people including decreasing blood pressure, boosting their emotional wellbeing, improving their physical health and facilitating social interaction. All Care South homes actively encourage visiting animals and pets.
Mini horse trots into Kenwith Castle Castle Dene residents have fun mastering circus skills
Residents at one of our Bournemouth care homes had fun juggling balls and spinning plates as part of a circus skills workshop.
Staff and residents at Castle Dene welcomed Jasmin Edwards, Associate Artist for the Arts by the Sea Festival 2024, to perform a host of tricks, before the residents were invited to have a go.
The circus performer and multi-hoop specialist handed out coloured scarves, spinning plates and sticks, juggling balls and flower sticks for residents to try a new skill.
Kerry said: “I enjoyed all of it as I’ve never done any of it before. It was very interesting.”
Jasmin said: “It was so rewarding to see residents’ eyes light up as they tried something that they didn’t think they’d be able to do. It’s lovely to encourage their creativity, confidence and joy through some simple, fun activities that made them laugh and gave them a sense of accomplishment.”
“I
definitely enjoyed it. It was good fun. I enjoyed throwing the juggling balls as I used to be able to juggle.”
Betty, Resident
Paying care home fees
Over 400,000 people live in care homes across the UK. Around half are self-funded, while the rest receive partial or full funding from local authorities or the NHS.
How are care home fees funded?
Care home fees are covered in three main ways:
Self-funding
The resident, their family, or friends pay all fees. Our team are here to help with any questions that you may have about self-funding.
Local authority
Local authorities may fund all or part of the fees. Residents or their families may also pay a ‘top-up fee’ if the home’s costs exceed the authority’s contribution.
NHS
In certain cases, the NHS provides funding for individuals with significant healthcare needs.
Eligibility for local authority funding
Local authorities determine eligibility through a two-step process:
Needs assessment
Evaluates whether the individual has ‘eligible needs.’
Financial assessment
Reviews income, savings, and assets. People with assets below £23,250 may qualify for full or partial funding. However, this may limit the choice of care homes to those contracted with the authority.
Top-up fees
A top-up fee is required when the cost of a preferred care home exceeds the local authority’s funding cap. Family or friends may pay the difference to secure a home with better facilities or amenities.
NHS funding
The NHS offers two primary funding options:
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
Covers full care home costs for individuals with significant ongoing healthcare needs, such as those resulting from major illness, disability, or injury. Eligibility is determined through a detailed assessment by the NHS. This support is not means-tested.
NHS-funded nursing care
Pays for nursing home fees for individuals assessed as requiring nursing care.
Both funding forms have strict eligibility criteria, and many applicants do not qualify, leaving self-funding or local authority funding as alternatives.
These
the communitySupporting
are just some examples of the homes engaging with the local communities in which they are based...
Dorset House residents complete 100 laps of the garden for Children in Need
Residents at our Hamworthy care home completed 100 laps of the care home garden to raise money for BBC Children in Need.
They were thrilled to be joined by children from Muddy Boots Nursery in Hamworthy who were all wearing Pudsey Bear ears.
The nursery children visit Dorset House every two weeks to sing songs, play parachute games, take part in gardening and other activities with our residents as part of the care home’s links with the local community.
Pictures of Pudsey Bear, the Children in Need mascot, were hidden around the garden for the children and residents to find during their laps. They also sang a range
of songs together including the Wheels on the Bus and Wind the Bobbin Up.
The residents and children even appeared on BBC1’s South Today’s TV coverage of Children In Need, where they were seen singing and dancing as they completed the challenge together.
Maiden Castle House team trek 26 miles for Alzheimer’s Society
The team from our Dorchester care home made a marathon effort to raise £1,250 for Alzheimer’s Society.
The team trekked 26 miles from Charmouth to Weymouth in aid of the UK’s leading dementia charity.
Statistics published by Alzheimer’s Society show that more than 1.4million people are expected to be living with dementia by 2040, and one in three people born in the UK today will be diagnosed with dementia in their lifetime.
Ash Smith, Home Manager for Maiden Castle House, said: “We know how challenging it can be for our residents and their loved ones even before an official diagnosis is made, so we wanted to give back to Alzheimer’s Society who support people every step of the way.”
Claire Frost, Regional Fundraiser for Alzheimer’s Society, said: “We are extremely grateful for the generous donation from Maiden Castle House, and for their amazing efforts in completing the 26-mile walk.”
Fran and Margot walk 3km for charity
Fran and Margot, who both live at Elizabeth House care home, took on the 3km route at the University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity’s Walk for Wards. Care South were proud to support the event at Upton Country Park.
To start off the fun, Fran and Margot joined in with a warm-up to music, before taking on the trail. Afterwards, they danced to live music from the band, Late Shift, with support from the Elizabeth House care home team. In total, more than 20 people made up the Care South team that took part in the event.
Fran said: “I really like going for a walk in the sunshine, especially at Upton Country Park. I like to keep fit, so I was thrilled to bits when the Elizabeth House team asked me if I wanted to do the walk. I loved it.”
Care homes turn out to support candles events
Teams from Dorset House, Elizabeth House and Marjorie House attended Candles on the Lake which took place in Poole Park organised by LewisManning Hospice Care.
Care South residents and members of the public were invited to write a personal message on a candle in memory of a loved one before it was placed on the lake to create a magical display of lights.
Elsewhere, residents from St Ives House in Ringwood attended Candles on the Green in Wimborne Minster, while Wickmeads residents participated in Candles at the Priory in Christchurch.
Care South are proud to partner with Lewis-Manning Hospice Care which provides care and support to people living with life-limiting illnesses across East Dorset, Poole and Purbeck.
engagement Community
These are just some examples of the homes engaging with the local communities in which they are based...
Elizabeth House residents live on Hot Radio
We were thrilled to welcome the breakfast radio presenters, Coco and Sparky, to broadcast live from Elizabeth House in Poole.
Coco and Sparky walked around the home and chatted to residents and staff, sharing stories about our ‘Make a Wish’ initiative which benefits residents across Care South. They also engaged with the interactive Tiny Tablets, which can be found in each of our homes.
These large touchscreens feature a range of apps and games that promote engagement individually and with other residents, boosting their cognitive and physical activity. They can even be wheeled into residents’ rooms for video calls with loved ones.
St Ives House residents welcome babies and children
Residents at St Ives House in Ringwood were delighted to welcome in mothers and babies from Tiny Talk Baby Signing.
They enjoyed a range of games and songs while teaching children and babies how to use sign language to communicate with others.
Intergenerational relationships provide a host of benefits including encouraging communication and social skills, increasing confidence and self-esteem, and enhancing empathy, care and kindness while promoting inclusivity.
They also learned about the mini horses that visit the home and heard about AFC Bournemouth’s weekly seated football sessions for the residents.
Elizabeth House’s residents and care home team were invited to be part of the radio station’s ‘Friday Frolics’ feature which sees the presenters broadcast from a different location out in the community each week.
Meet the Manager
Sara at Fremington Manor
Sara
Maynard
chats through some of your frequently asked questions about the support provided in our care homes.
What activities do you offer at the care home?
We have a dedicated team running activities seven days a week. When a resident first moves into the home, our activities team will chat with them about their likes, dislikes and interests, which we will try and facilitate. At Fremington Manor, we have a range of activities including children coming in from nurseries and scout groups, local choirs and singers, and the church comes in to hold a service. Our residents love playing bowls, which can get quite competitive, and they also particularly enjoy lots of arts and crafts, so our activities team put a focus on that.
How do you help residents to maintain their independence?
For many residents, it’s important to maintain a level of independence, so we work with them to provide that support. This includes enabling them to make their own decisions, such as choosing their breakfast, deciding what clothing to wear, and picking which activities they’d like to do. We encourage them to move around and do as much as they want, with a helping hand available at all times to ensure that this is done safely.
How often do residents come in for respite care?
Many of our residents initially come in for respite care and then fall in love with the care home and the team and they decide to stay permanently. We have people coming in for respite for different lengths of time from around two weeks to a month and that gives them the time to either make the decision about whether they require permanent care or just need a good rest. We have a lot of success with people who come in from hospital and we work with the community physios and occupational therapists to rehabilitate them so that they can return to their own home, if they wish and are able to.
Do you welcome visitors?
Our community is very important to us at Fremington Manor and that includes the relatives and local community groups, as well as lots of our doggy visitors. We are a very dog-friendly care home, which the residents love. Visitors are always welcome in the home, and we encourage people to come and visit their loved ones as much as they’d like. We are happy to welcome them in for a meal with their relatives, as it’s good for morale and helps to make it feel like a ‘home away from home.’
Making wishes
Tom’s clay pigeon shooting wish
Tom, who lives at Dorset House, visited Purbeck Shooting School with his granddaughter, Tilly, and the care home team. Tom has had a life-long passion for clay pigeon shooting, having previously visited Purbeck Shooting School on a weekly basis before needing to give up his gun licence when he was diagnosed with dementia.
Alongside instructor Trevor from Purbeck Shooting School, Tom was able to safely use a shotgun to shoot some clays. Afterwards, he chatted to members of the shooting school about how he aimed and the techniques he used to follow the clays and be on target. Tom also spoke to one club member about the different guns they own and took a closer look at the ornate details on the guns.
Tom said: “It was absolutely brilliant. One of the best days I have ever had. I hope that I can go back there again. I think with more practice, I will be back to my old aim.”
Brenda rides a horse
Brenda, who lives at St Ives House, wanted to go horse riding for her 90th birthday wish. She last rode a horse aged 75 and was thrilled to enjoy the experience again.
The team supported her with a visit to RAC Saddle Club in Bovington to fulfill her special wish. Brenda had kept horses all her life and had many fond memories of riding horses in the New Forest with her friends.
Brenda was amazed at the size of Jack, a 15-hand tall cob, who she described as a ‘gentle giant’ and a ‘true gentleman’.
At Care South, we love to safely make the special wishes of the residents come true to enable them
come true… all year round!
Ann’s horse and carriage ride
Ann, who lives at Alexandra House, visited Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park in Verwood for her special 80th birthday wish.
Ann wanted to ride in a horse and carriage for her special birthday. She was joined by her friend, Liz, some of the care home team and some other residents for the visit. After feeding some of the heavy horses which live in the stables, Ann was given the chance to meet Uno the heavy horse before taking a ride around the farm in the carriage that he pulls.
“It was lovely and Uno was gorgeous. I’m definitely coming back to visit again. I loved the experience. Alexandra House is a lovely care home, and the team always look after me so well, so this was a lovely treat for me.”
Gerry is honorary ‘12th man’
at cricket
Cricket fan, Gerry, who lives at Buxton House, was invited to watch a home match at Weymouth Cricket Club as part of his special wish to visit his old cricket team.
Gerry played for Weymouth Cricket club from the late 1950s to the late 1970s as a wicket-keeper.
Before the match started, Gerry met the Weymouth Cricket Club team, tried on some wicket-keeper’s gloves, and was presented with a cap emblazoned with his initials. Gerry was also listed as the team’s honorary ‘12th player’ in the match programme.
Gerry said: “I would never dream that I would get to do this. I’ve had a lovely time. I want to come back here every week.”
Andy Anderson, who is part of the committee team at Weymouth Cricket Club, said it was ‘a real honour’ to welcome Gerry to the club and to be able to present him with a cap.
to enjoy their own hobbies and interests, which they may not be able to do without our support
The Care South Stars Awards
Each year, our dedicated teams come together to celebrate the vital role they play in enriching the lives of residents in our care homes and clients supported by our care at home offices.
We invite residents, relatives, and colleagues across the organisation to nominate outstanding individuals and teams who go above and beyond to deliver exceptional care with unwavering dedication and commitment.
The teams host parties in the care homes to enable the residents to celebrate the finalists being announced. The winners then receive their trophies at a special awards ceremony in July at AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium.
This inspiring event provides a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the teams’ remarkable accomplishments and recognise their passion for making every day meaningful for our residents and care at home clients.
Watch last year’s Stars Awards ceremony
The 100+ Club at Care South
Did you know that we have over 20 centenarians in our care homes? At Care South, we celebrate every resident’s birthday exactly how they’d like to spend it, but we make an extra special effort for big birthdays.
Edna (pictured top), who lives at St Ives House, enjoyed a party in the care home’s bistro where she was joined by her friends and family from across the country. Edna is the second centenarian to mark a big birthday at St Ives House with Nin set to celebrate her 108th birthday in April this year.
Eileen (pictured right), an Alexandra House resident, has had a lifelong love of singing and dancing. She wanted to celebrate her 103rd birthday by watching some ballet. The care home welcomed two local dancing schools, Gemini Elite Performers Academy and Poole Academy of Dance, to entertain Eileen, her daughter, Angela, and the other residents.
We look forward to celebrating many more big birthdays throughout the year!
Our valuesat the HEART of everything we do
Honesty
Always being open, truthful, consistent, and taking ownership of our own actions.
Excellence
Being determined to be the best we can be, and delivering quality care.
Approach
Treating everyone as an individual and focusing on their individual strengths and needs.
Respect
Recognising that everyone comes from a diverse background, with a variety of values and beliefs.
Teamwork
Working together to get things done, sharing information and supporting each other, understanding that everyone has a contribution to make.
Christmas at Care South
At Care South, we love celebrating Christmas and making it special for our residents. Our calendars are filled with lots of events to ensure that nobody misses out on the Food, Fun and Friendship.
Last Christmas was no different - here’s a taster of what the homes and care at home offices did to share some festive spirit:
The residents always look forward to Elf Day which saw the teams across all our homes don elf costumes in aid of Alzheimer’s Society. Last year we raised £1,000 for the good cause!
Our Dorset-based care homes attended our annual Christmas coffee morning at AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium. Residents enjoyed hot drinks and mince pies, with live music from Bee Chumley, and carols by children from Pokesdown Primary School.
It’s not just inside our care homes that got a sprinkling of festive magic – We also lit up the gardens too with Christmas trees and reindeer, which proved popular with visiting families and friends.
With mixing bowls and pots of sprinkles ready, our homes compete to make the best gingerbread house, aided by our catering teams. Alexandra House in Parkstone were the worthy winners in last year’s competition.
Our Christmas fayres were a great way for the community to visit each of our care homes and enjoy the festive atmosphere with residents. These events were supported by local stallholders, with fun and games for children to play. Residents also made items to sell at the fayres.
As well as a personal gift for each resident in our care homes, the care at home teams made sure that their clients also received a festive present, as did all our assisted living residents.
Care South Community Fund
Since launching four years ago, our Community Fund (formerly known as the Chairman’s 2020 Fund) has made donations to many great charities, groups and organisations that benefit our care homes, residents, staff and care at home clients.
Here are the latest presentations that have been made:
The Kenwith Castle care home team presented £1,000 to Holy Trinity Church, which hosts a weekly service as well as participating in the home’s annual Candles on the Lake event. Care South’s donation helped the church’s fundraising target to reach the half-way point enabling work to start on replacing the church roof.
The Maiden Castle House team gave £2,000 to Cycling Without Age Weymouth. The volunteer-run group offers trishaw rides for older people and those with limited mobility. Care South’s contribution will help towards funding a second trishaw to support more passengers.
The Dorset House team were pleased to give £1,000 to The Friends of Dolphin, a group providing free, accessible boat trips around Poole Harbour for elderly and disabled people. The boat has a volunteer-led crew, with an experienced skipper at the helm. The charity is currently fundraising for a new boat.
The Dorset House team were on hand to give £1,000 to RAC Saddle Club in Bovington, which provides horse riding training and equine therapy for rehabilitation. Dorset House and St Ives House residents have visited the stables to meet and ride horses.
The St Ives House team presented £500 to Ringwood Carers Group, which supports people who care for a loved one on an unpaid basis through monthly meetings. Care South’s donation helps the group to reach more people, as well as St Ives House welcoming members into the bistro for events.
The Castle Dene team helped to hand over £1,170 to Truth Be Told, an organisation offering interactive storytelling sessions for residents in partnership with Coastline Church. The sessions, which are open to local families and children, feature a new theme with props to spark the residents’ imagination.
For more information, go to care-south.co.uk/community-fund
Holy Trinity Church in Westward Ho!
The Friends of Dolphin
Cycling Without Age Weymouth
RAC Saddle Club
Truth Be Told
Ringwood Carers Group
21 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Throop Road, Bournemouth BH8 0DB 01202 394000 hcbournemouth@care-south.co.uk
22 Somerset South Street, Crewkerne TA18 8AB 01460 270500 hccrewkerne@care-south.co.uk
23 West Dorset Poundbury, Dorchester DT1 3EN 01305 233103 westdorset@care-south.co.uk
Marjorie House 1 Crichel Mount Road, Poole, BH14 8LT
