Good News Stories
Lighting Up the Sky and the Community at a North Devon Nursing Home
By the time the first firework burst above the trees at Heanton Nursing Home, the grounds were filled with families, children in bright coats and people arriving with umbrellas. There was laughter, conversation and that unmistakable sense of community.
Residents (who they fondly refer to as family members) were wrapped in blankets and supported outside so they could be part of it all. Seeing them among the crowd, smiling as the fireworks lit up the sky, was one of the highlights of the evening. Many visitors commented on how special it was to see everyone, young and old, sharing the night side by side.
The BBQ ran non-stop, with people queueing for hot food made on-site using locally sourced meats from Reeds Butchers in Braunton, the same butcher that provides the meals enjoyed in the home every day. “You can taste when something’s local,” one visitor said.
Several people mentioned they hadn’t planned to do anything for Bonfire Night this year but decided to come along after seeing Heanton’s invitation. What might have been an ordinary evening at home instead became a night filled with laughter and conversation. Local councillor Graham Bell attended with his family and spoke with team members and visitors throughout the evening, sharing that sense of community that filled the grounds.
By the end of the night, £226 had been raised, which will go directly towards making Christmas special for the family members who call Heanton home. As people began to leave, almost everyone said the same thing, that they hoped this would happen again next year.
Although Heanton is known in the community as a complex nursing home, evenings like this show there’s so much more to it than that. It is a home full of life, laughter and connection, a place where family members are supported to take part, and where the community is always welcome to join in.
It’s a reminder that complex care doesn’t mean life has to be lived apart.
To read more about the events and people at Heanton- News & Blogs - Heanton Nursing Home - Devon Nursing Home
Neighbours Supporting Neighbours: Nursing Home Lends a Hand After Monmouth Floods
The recent floods across Monmouth brought sudden devastation to many local families, with roads, homes and community spaces affected over the weekend. While Gibraltar Nursing Home was fortunate to escape the worst of the damage due to its location, the team quickly learned six team members and their families were directly impacted by the floods, alongside countless others in the town.
One team member, along with their partner and their one-day-old baby, were among those who had to take shelter at the leisure centre. As soon as the home became aware, they collected the family and set them up with temporary housing within the Gibraltar Care Village, so they had somewhere safe and warm to stay.
Local councillor Martin Sweeney publicly acknowledged the support on Facebook, writing: “I’d heard that an employer was helping and really glad they’re safe and well. There are plenty of donated clothes, nappies etc at the Methodist Hall if needed and there have been some lovely offers of help with food.”
Wanting to do more for those around them, the home made a run to the local supermarket, filling their car with food supplies and donating everything to the Monmouth Methodist Church. These items have since been passed to the Monmouth and District Foodbank, where packages are already prepared for anyone needing extra support.
Over the past few days, the home has also offered the use of their wheelchair-accessible minibus, in case anyone is struggling with transportation.
Home Manager Verity Walmsley said, “Our thoughts are with those affected by the terrible events that Monmouth and the surrounding areas faced over the weekend. Please remember: if there is anything we can do as a home to support any of you, do not hesitate to reach out.”
She added, “The generosity shown by the Monmouth community has been truly overwhelming to witness. The Monmouth Mutual Aid and Assistance Group have been amazing, and everyone’s efforts to prepare food for those who are not able has been incredibly touching.”
The Methodist Church is currently inundated with donations - clothes, shoes, toys, baby items, toiletries and more. Anyone in need is encouraged to visit and collect whatever they require. All items are free, and volunteers are welcoming anyone who needs a hand.
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