Back at the end of 2009 we sent out Customer Care Survey Forms for Milkwood House. We were pleased to see that the majority of our relatives and kin were generally happy with the service we offer at the home, but we did note a lot of comments about poor access into the gardens. So we have reacted to these comments by installing a new external lift, which will allow all residents to enjoy the gardens.

As part of our continuing investment in our properties we have also carried out major refurbishments to the dining room and many of the rooms within the older part of the home. The programmed works also included a new sewerage treatment plant, which will be installed in August, and this will take the total spent on the home to over £100,000 this summer.

A lighter and brighter dining room for our residents

Manager Sylvia with resident's relatives

An initiative by Sylvia Williams and her team in Ganarew House has seen the first Dementia discussion meeting in the group. The idea was to invite family and friends of residents, or prospective residents, into the home and give a simple insight into how the team take time to get to know each individual, and how everyone is treated as an individual. A short presentation was followed by a question and answer session dealing with the onset of the condition and the problems encountered in looking after loved ones.

The feedback was that the meeting was not only informative, but allowed people to understand the condition and know that they weren’t alone after talking to others in the same predicament.

We will be following up in the Autumn with further meetings in all our homes.

Two years ago Taz was rescued from a dog compound in South Wales and brought down to Milkwood House to brighten up one of our residents who had requested a pet. Boy did he do his job well! The lady has now moved on but Taz remains with us as a friend to all at the home.

Taz the Terrier at Milkwood House

Residents at Castleford House, along with visitors and loved ones, have been making the most of the ‘Love Bus’ scheme.
Residents have been encouraged to make a choice about where they would like to go, often sparking a memory about places they once loved. There has been nothing but positive feedback from the residents themselves and their extended families. Staff have been inundated with great thanks from family members who have been captivated by the photographs of parents that look so happy together in places that hold special memories of a time gone by

Mr and Mrs Jolly enjoyed a trip to Lydney Docks followed by afternoon tea

On 13th August five residents from Milkwood House visited Staunton Country Park. The residents enjoyed feeding the animals, and the animals seemed to enjoy munching on the residents! At one point the goat began eating Joyce Egan’s cardigan which everyone found very amusing and a feisty llama spat at Shaun and Vi Johnson. Following the feeding frenzy the residents ambled through the gardens and admired the array of flowers in bloom. On leaving the country park the residents stopped for a pub lunch and sat outside by the river whilst they enjoyed their food. A great day was had by all.

Vi Johnson and Joyce Egan (a new resident) feed the sheep at Staunton