care home Archives • Round & About Magazine

Discover a New Way of Living at Henley Manor’s Taster Day

Round & About

January 20, 2026January 20, 2026

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Start the New Year by exploring a fresh approach to care, comfort and community at Hallmark Henley Manor. Families, friends and anyone curious about luxury care home living are warmly invited to pop in for their Taster Day on Saturday 24th January. Stop by whenever is convenient between 10am – 1pm and enjoy a relaxed opportunity to discover what life in this award-winning home is really like.

Guests will have the chance to sit back, unwind and take in the surroundings while enjoying a selection of delicious nibbles prepared by the hospitality team. The event offers time to stroll through their beautiful and homely spaces, chat with friendly team members and experience the warm, vibrant atmosphere that residents enjoy every day.

Whether exploring care options for a loved one or simply looking to understand more about the lifestyle and support available, you may be pleasantly surprised by what you find.

“Our bighearted approach to care means you’ll always have the support you need to live your life to the fullest,” says James Morl, Customer Relationship Manager. “Our Taster Day is the perfect way to experience this for yourself—come along, see the home, meet the team and get a chance to see what life is really like here.”

RSVP today to reserve a place.
Contact James Morl, Customer Relationship Manager
Visit: hallmarkcarehomes.co.uk/henley-manor
Call: 01491 378 010
Find at: Hallmark Henley Manor, Mill Lane, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 4HD

A Warm Welcome Awaits Residents At Friends Place

Round & About

July 22, 2025July 22, 2025

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Round & About

Charity, Friends of the Elderly, opens new state-of-the-art Care Home – Friends Place – in Calcot, Reading

Friends of the Elderly, a charity supporting older people across England and Wales through residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as a grants programme for older people facing financial hardship, is delighted to announce the opening of its brand-new residential care home, Friends Place, in Calcot, Reading.

The opening of the new home reflects the charity’s long-standing commitment to providing high-quality care. Friends Place has been thoughtfully and carefully designed to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere where residents feel valued, secure, and supported.

“This is an exciting milestone for Friends of the Elderly,” said Mark Wilson, Interim Co-Chief Executive. “We’re proud to offer a warm, modern home where every detail has been designed with residents’ wellbeing in mind. Friends Place brings high-quality care and 30 new jobs to the local area – and we’re thrilled to now be part of the Calcot community.”

Friends Place offers residential, dementia, and respite care and is also home to a day care service. All care is delivered by a compassionate and experienced care team. Alina Gutu, the General Manager, has worked for the charity for several years, previously running The Lawn in Alton, which is rated ‘Good’ by The Care Quality Commission.

Friends Place includes a range of high-quality facilities such as a cinema, beauty salon, bar, garden room, landscaped grounds and multiple comfortable communal spaces.

“Friends Place is a home in every sense of the word,” said Alina, “We’ve worked hard to create a welcoming environment where people will feel safe, valued and connected.”

Residents can enjoy a busy calendar of activities, from garden parties and exercise classes to live entertainment and crafts, while dining is a highlight, with freshly prepared meals served in beautifully designed restaurant-style spaces.

“Friends Place is more than just a care home, it’s a place to belong,” continued Alina. “Our goal is to provide a warm, homely environment where residents feel safe, supported and part of the community.”

“With over 120 years of experience, Friends of the Elderly is proud to continue its mission of providing personalised, compassionate care that supports older people to live full and dignified lives,” added Mark.

To enquire about Friends Place please email Friendsplace@fote.org.uk or call 0118 207 8512.

A future proofed home

Round & About

May 4, 2022

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As we get older, our housing needs change. The family house can suddenly seem too big and expensive to manage, the stairs that bit trickier, and the efforts we have to go to maintain it all leave us little time or energy to do the things we want to spend time doing.

Downsizing for a better quality of life makes sense but bungalows are scarce and command such premium prices you’re unlikely to free up enough money to enjoy that dream retirement. Then there’s stamp duty, fees, the likelihood you’ll have to spend more money on whatever you buy to make it suitable to grow old in – all this means many end-up staying put.

The specialist developer of contemporary retirement properties, Birchgrove, offers modern and spacious apartments in Kent and Surrey. Each apartment is individually designed to maximise space and light and has the Birchgrove trademark of high-quality finishes so that the apartments are distinctly elegant.

All apartments are specifically designed for people in later life, featuring waist height appliances in the fully fitted kitchens for easy access and en-suite showers. All doors and corridors are wheelchair accessible for freedom of movement.

Residents have access to exclusive onsite amenities such as a restaurant, bar, club room, a communal terrace, exercise studio, landscaped gardens and greenhouse. Regular events and activities programme also contribute to the friendly community lifestyle, and for added peace of mind there is a concierge and 24 hour staff presence.

One thing that will strike you when you visit a Birchgrove retirement community, is how friendly the team are. Because the apartments are not for sale, you’ll find that the Advisors are not trying to sell you anything, rather they are there to help you consider your options and act as a guide for you whilst you make your own choices about how and where you want to live.

If you find yourself needing a little extra assistance, our tailored care support is offered through our homecare specialist partners who can personalise a care package for your individual requirements.

In addition, all apartments are fitted with a digital telecare console to offer residents assistance at the touch of a button. Residents can use the console to contact the concierge desk, look up what they want for dinner, book appointments and connect with their family and friends: as well as a discreet 24/7 emergency call service that can call for immediate assistance if needed.

If you would like to find out more about living at a Birchgrove retirement community, contact the team who will happily talk through the options and tailor something that works to support your individual needs. Call 020 3929 5599 or visit www.birchgrove.life

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Valerian Court: A home from home

Round & About

May 3, 2022April 19, 2022

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Valerian Court is a brand-new purpose-built luxury care home set to open its doors to welcome new residents in summer 2022

Offering the very best in person-centred care, Valerian Court will be offering all-inclusive residential, nursing, dementia and respite care, providing support and companionship when needed around the clock.

The care of the residents is of paramount importance and the dedicated and caring team ensure privacy, dignity and respect whilst fostering independence, confidence and wellness of each of the residents.

This elegant home has been designed with the residents in mind with no attention to detail being missed. From luxury en-suite bedrooms that are beautifully decorated to a café and an array of dining rooms where you can enjoy quality home-cooked nutritious food lovingly prepared by the team of resident chefs.

There are lounges available on every floor of the home that provide a perfect haven for some R&R or why not pop into the library or one of the quiet rooms to catch up on the newspaper or to read your favourite book.

Moving into a care home really does not mean that you have to miss out on all of your favourite things and with a hairdresser on site you never need to miss an appointment. There’s a café to enjoy a cup of tea and slice of homemade cake and we provide a warm welcome for your family and friends to come in and join you and to be a part of the Valerian Court community.

If watching movies is your thing then relax with some popcorn in the cinema room or why not join in with the extensive activities programme that offers arts and crafts sessions, exercise classes, music and entertainment to name just a few of the activities.

With balconies and a rooftop garden you can enjoy the summer whilst doing some gardening or why not sit back and watch the comings and goings of the Didcot community.

Providing a warm and inviting environment for the residents and their families is what the home prides itself on. Come and discover the lifestyle that Valerian Court has to offer by visiting our Marketing Suite which opens on 18th May.

Find out more at Valerian Court Care Home and email info@valeriancourtcare.co.uk