Monday October 24, 2022

IMAGES FREE TO USE

  • New community meeting space is another positive step forward after the COVID pandemic

Balhousie Antiquary residents and relatives have a valuable and fun new space at the popular Arbroath care home – their very own drop-in cafe.

Proving that Balhousie Care homes love to be part of the local community, Antiquary plans to use the cafe for events and monthly high teas, as well as a gathering place for residents and their families.

The Blether Cafe is named after Balhousie’s relatives’ email newsletter, launched as an extra communication channel between homes and their families during the first wave of the COVID pandemic and now more than 500 subscribers.

The cafe opens this week in a space of the home that was formerly used for storage. Staff and residents of Balhousie Antiquary held a party last week to celebrate the space, which signals another positive step forward after the effects of the pandemic.

Said Home Manager Sheryl Cruickshanks: “We’re all about community at Balhousie Antiquary, both in and out of the home. So having a physical meeting space in the home that our locals can use to gather, hold events, or just have a cuppa, is very exciting. We can’t wait to see The Blether Cafe up and running. Watch this space!”

For more information visit www.balhousiecare.co.uk

Photo caption: Residents (left to right) with staff members: Margaret Drummond, Sandy Gray, Mary Soutar and Mary Boylan with, in foreground, Gordon Alan.

< ENDS >

For media enquiries please contact Gillian Drummond on gillian.drummond@balhousiecare.co.uk or call 07365 884994.

Notes to Editors

About Balhousie Care Group

Balhousie Care Group was formed 30 years ago to fill a gap in quality residential care in North East Scotland. Today, with 26 homes in the area, it is one of the leading providers of care for the elderly in Scotland, providing care to almost 1000 residents.

Owned by AcalisCare, Balhousie Care prides itself on its person-centred approach to care. Putting people right at the forefront of everything they do; it’s inclusive of everyone. They capture this philosophy through the roll out of ‘Together We’re Great’, an initiative which recognises the skills, talents, attributes and support areas for each and every person involved in the organisation. Together We’re Great aims to value individuality and promote excellence across the organisation.

A Participation Charter – a first-of-its-kind in the care home sector – commits to residents getting a bigger say than ever in the care they receive, from writing care home policies to recruiting staff.

Balhousie Care Group is the recipient of numerous awards. These include three Scottish Care Awards, a 2021 Great British Care Award, a 2022 s1Jobs Shine Award, 2019 Growth Business of the Year at The Courier Business Awards and 2019 Growth Business of the Year in the Perthshire Chamber of Commerce STAR Awards.