Everyone enjoyed the BBQ on Saturday and the weather finally came good! The hospitality team served a selection of BBQ favourites and drinks. Entertainment was provided by Anthony who was a hit with the visitors and residents of all ages, there was dancing and tap footing to the beat all afternoon.

Our wonderful carer Junu will be going on maternity leave soon and we could not let her go without a baby shower party with the team! she said "It was a complete surprise, I was so emotional everyone was so kind with all the presents, Oksana, our chef and Mandy made delicious cakes too"

From the colour of the balloons I'm sure you can guess Junu first baby will be a girl, we look forward to welcoming her to into our St Thomas family

Celebrations have been in full swing at St Thomas Care Home as one of its residents reaches her 104th birthday in style.

Nellie was joined by staff, relatives, and the Mayor of Basingstoke, Onnalee Cubitt as she received hundreds of cards and gifts. Tracy, activities coordinator contacted local pop up ‘That gallery’ in Festival Place, whose artist Fatima Pantoja painted Nellie from photograph and presented her with the portrait on her special day. A champagne reception was in the homes chapel and guests enjoyed a homemade birthday cake with afternoon tea prepared by the home’s chef Oksana.

Nellie was born in 1917 in the east end of London and worked as a machinist for a tailoring business where she met her husband Arthur. They had four children and the family has grown to now include 8 grandchildren and 8 great great children. Joining her at the party were some of her grandchildren which really made it a family event. A resident at St Thomas for nearly three years, she is adored by her family and staff.

Among those relatives attending was Nellie’s daughter Jean, who played host for the afternoon party. Speaking about her mother she said: “Nellie is and has been a fantastic mother to us all, she had a back bone during difficult times and was a tower of strength to all who knew her. A fantastic cook she was always baking for us, her meat and potato pie is legendry in the family!  We are all so happy to be with her on this very special day to say just how proud she makes us feel.”

We are delighted Grace and Nicola have received their prestigious 20 Year Service Awards in celebration of working at Barchester Healthcare for twenty years making it a total of 40 for the two members of the team!

Grace Ayaji, started at Barchester as a care assistant in June 2001 and has worked with residents and their relatives to ensure that their needs have been met over the years. On receiving the award Grace said:  “Thank you so much for this beautiful award for my 20 years’ service at St Thomas Care Home. I am extremely honoured to receive this award along with the flowers, pin and vouchers. The job has been wonderful being able to care for the elderly and their families. Thank you to all the staff both days and nights that have made it such a good team. I am proud and honoured to say that I have worked for St Thomas for the last 20 years.”

Nicola’s mother, Carol Butt is delighted with the difference St Thomas has made to her daughter, she commented: “Nicola was born with learning difficulties and special needs. She went through education until she was 23 years old. We worried about what was available for her as an adult.  Social Workers suggested Supported Work.  We knew it would have to be in a small working environment with the same people so they would be used to Nicola's ways when she got stressed. St Thomas gave her the opportunity to work in the kitchen. Nicola had a lady from Supported Work stay alongside her for a year. Janet Farrow the Head Chef at the time and her team in the kitchen helped Nicola and patient with her, she felt they were her friends and eventually she was able to work on her own.  She feels is one of the team not just in the kitchen and she enjoys going to the Christmas party with them”

Jane McFarlane, Employee Services Director at Barchester said: “I’m always pleased to hear stories about the long service of Barchester staff and am delighted two member of the team, Grace and Nicola achieved this milestone together. It is dedication like this that ensures our residents are provided with a happy place to live.”

Fatmata Cochrane, General Manager of St Thomas said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating 20 years of loyal service with Nicola and Grace. They have demonstrated their dedication and loyalty to this home and its residents year after year. I speak for all of us here at St Thomas when I say that I’m looking forward to many more years of working with Grace and Nicola!”

Residents wanted to thank all the wonderful staff at the home, whose hard work and dedication make a real difference to the lives of those living in their care.

Carers Week is an annual event to raise awareness of caring, highlighting the challenges carers face, and recognising the contribution they make to our residents, families and communities throughout the UK. The theme for Carers Week this year is ‘Making caring visible and valued’ - to shine a light on all those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to care for vulnerable people in our communities.

Staff were treated to afternoon tea with delicious cakes, all the team received thank you cards and chocolates from Barchester