A REDDITCH care home is set to celebrate the grand opening of its new on-site pub.
Residents at Bowood Court and Mews can now enjoy a tipple down at their ‘local’, after the care home transformed its leisure and wellbeing facilities to include a traditional English Pub and Beer Garden, where the authentic pub atmosphere comes to life.
Named by the residents, ‘The Queen Elizabeth Arms’ provides a familiar space for residents to meet and socialise with each other or with families and friends at any time, while taking part in the home’s regular scheduled activities.
To mark this year’s ‘Care Home Open Week’ the residents, their families and friends, joined by the home’s local community, will celebrate the official grand opening a week on Monday, June 26, with a glass of bubbly, a pub-themed buffet and pub quizzes and games.
The home will also be using the space to build closer links with the local community by opening their dominos tournaments up to other care homes in the surrounding area.
Home manager Cindy Hawkins said: “We have so many residents, some living with dementia who have past connection to their local pubs, from landlords and ladies, to barmaids and brewery team.
“Initially, we wanted to create a new environment for residents to enjoy, which would give them a change of scenery and a place to meet in any season.
“The pub is proving a fantastic addition to our home and has become a real focal point for everyone.
“We’re really pleased with the positive feedback we’ve had.”
Resident Margaret Gedge said: “It brings me back to my time as a barmaid – the echoes of laughter, clinking glasses, and heartfelt conversations still resound within me and it is so nice to be able to relive it here with my fellow residents.
“We have such good times, sitting around having a drink and a chat, while playing dominos and cards.”
