Wing-based Carey Lodge care home marked its 10th anniversary in style on Care Home Open Day (Friday 28th June).

The national awareness day, now in its seventh year, celebrated the role of arts in care this year and encouraged homes to open their doors and show they are a part of the local community.

A party was held with 10 residents each releasing a balloon to mark the occasion. Twyford Art Group showcased artwork at the care home as part of the celebrations. Artists from the group have a special relationship with Carey Lodge, having fundraised and taken part in creative activities with residents over the years.

18 members of the team who have worked at Carey Lodge since it opened in 2009 were presented with a certificate, a fob watch and a hand-made gift from residents.

The day was particularly poignant for members of the team, residents and their families at the care home, as it prides itself on being rooted in the local community. Carey Lodge values intergenerational relationships with Little Acorns nursery and Cottesloe School, as visits from the children and young people always bring lots of smiles and joy to residents.

The care home hosts an annual scooter rally, which attracted more than 50 scooter enthusiasts this year. It also launched the pilot of the Trust’s extremely well received Bedside Buddies service, designed to support residents who are unable to participate in activities in the main communal areas. This involves 1-1 sessions with residents devoted to reminiscence, storytelling and interactive sessions, often with a creative theme.

Commenting on the anniversary, Clare Hedge, manager of Carey Lodge said:

It was wonderful to mark our 10th birthday with friends from our local community. The art exhibition was a lovely way to celebrate the theme from this year’s Care Home Open Day, especially given that creative expression is such a key part of our activity programme and so well loved by residents. We all had a great time and look forward to the next 10 years!