Dorothy was joined by staff, relatives, friends and other residents as she received a telegram from the Queen in recognition of her landmark birthday. A reception was held at the home and residents enjoyed a special birthday cake made by the home’s chef Martin Brown.

Dorothy lived in Oxfordshire before coming to Tyspane, where she is enjoying a new chapter of her life living closer to her family especially her great grandchildren. The birthday girl attributed her long life to always working hard and eating good food.

Among those relatives attending was Dorothy’s daughter-in-law, Linda, and granddaughter, Melanie, who were able to visit Dorothy safely in Tyspane’s visitors pod.  

We’re delighted to be celebrating a truly remarkable woman as she reaches this amazing milestone. Dorothy is such a popular resident who always has an interesting tale to tell, and we look forward to hearing many more as she breaks into her next century.

Residents are overjoyed as Tyspane has implemented a visiting suite for residents to continue to spend time with their loved ones for the autumn and winter seasons in addition to the outdoor visiting that has been on offer for those able for many months.

Balancing resident well-being and safety is at the forefront of Barchester's thinking as we understand how important it is for residents and their family and friends to be able to spend time together in the safest way possible.

There has been much careful planning and preparation for this moment. It was welcome news for their residents and family and friends as we enter the colder season meaning catch-ups can continue to take place, instead of, or in addition to, outdoor visiting already offered for those able.

The visiting suite has been designed with both comfort and safety in mind, and has been recently adapted from a room which is accessible internally by residents and externally by visitors. The room is similar to a living room with comfortable furnishings and heated to create a welcoming and warm environment for residents to continue to spend time with their loved ones in the upcoming months. The room has an intercom system fitted so residents can clearly communicate, and engage in conversation, whilst being able to see their friends and family through a Perspex glass divider fitted for safety to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Infection control protocols and safe social distancing are in place for every visit, including a hand sanitizer station before entry. Cleaning at Tyspane care home will take place after each visit to ensure chairs, seats, hard surfaces including windowsills, and the Perspex glass divider are wiped down appropriately.

The feedback from families to date has meant that the majority of people would accept unusual arrangements if it meant being able to see their loved ones while also keeping themselves safe, as a temporary measure. Barchester Healthcare hope to allow visits again as normal once it is safe to do so following government guidance.

Residents at Tyspane came together to celebrate Halloween with a traditional pumpkin carving session. Lots of residents got involved creating spooky pumpkins for the big day.

We have all had a great time celebrating Halloween at the home. Residents and staff enjoyed dressing up in Halloween costumes and decorating the home.

Residents and staff at Tyspane Care Centre in Braunton put the ‘fun’ into ‘fundraising’ with a charity coffee morning, bake sale and a raffle to raise money for Macmillan Nurses.

 Aime Bown, General Manager at Tyspane said: “We love to fundraise for charities throughout the year for different causes, residents and friends of the home were not able to gather together this year but everyone did what they could donating cakes and raffle prizes. Macmillan is a cause very close to the hearts of all our staff and residents, so we feel really proud to have been able to raise this money. Thank you to everyone who donated!”