Somerset Care played host to a visitor from Australia last week who came to learn about the company’s award winning PETALS dementia care, quality assurance system and the Gold Standard Framework Award.
Beth Davidson-Park, Director of Strategy and Business Development, works for Southern Cross Care (South Australia and Northern Territories) alongside Somerset Care’s former CEO Andrew Larpent.
During Beth’s time with Somerset Care she visited two of its care homes, Croft House in Williton and Oak Trees in Bridgwater. At Croft House she was shown the Archie Project, a recently launched programme which aims to make Williton a dementia friendly community. Whilst on her visit Beth was also involved with judging the company’s dementia artwork competition in preparation for a 2013 calendar which will be released later in the year.
Speaking on Beth’s visit, Jane Lynch, Assistant Director of Residential Services, said, “Somerset Care is extremely proud of the services we provide to people living with dementia and those people nearing the end of their lives. It was a wonderful experience to share our PETALS dementia care and Gold Standard Framework with Beth, and we hope this helps her with developing the care Southern Cross Care deliver in Australia.”
Somerset Care are pleased to announce that this year’s Harry Patch Award has been presented to two of their home managers. The presentation was made at the Group’s annual Christmas Managers Meeting, which was held at the County Cricket Club on Thursday 15th December.
Somerset Care was delighted to welcome His Royal Higness the Duke of Kent KG to Croft House in Williton. Croft House is a recently built, 67-bedded residential home owned by the Somerset Care Group, and was completed in May 2011.
An Art Event to celebrate the opening of the newly built Croft House Care Home in Bridge Street, Williton, took place recently. A group of West Somerset artists had been invited to stage an exhibition of paintings, prints and ceramics in the newly built teaching rooms at Somerset Skills & Learning. The event, which was open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, began with a preview evening for local dignitaries. It was a huge success with many people attending, and eleven pieces of art were purchased and donated to the home, with additional private sales being made. Diane Allen, Manager of Croft House, said, “We are very grateful to the West Somerset artists who exhibited their work, and also to the individuals and organisations who so generously purchased artwork for Croft House. We now have some wonderful pieces for our residents, staff and visitors to enjoy.”