Open house at Gillaroo Lodge

Gillaroo Lodge director Liz Rowan explained: “We were invited some months ago to participate in this new nationwide event. The idea was to make homes accessible to the local community to show just how much good care is offered in nursing homes all over the United Kingdom.

“Too often we hear the negative experiences, so we were delighted to be able to open our doors and show what we believe good care looks like.

“Our senior management team of nurse manager Nicki McCrudden, cook manager Jenny McMurray and administration manager Ellen Worthington have in total nearly 60 years’ experience of delivering care in Gillaroo Lodge, so they were delighted to rise to the challenge of organising events for the day and making sure lots of people were invited to see what it is like for those who live and those who work in Gillaroo Lodge.

“Other staff also joined in with making our first open day a day to remember. In the morning, we had a demonstration of traditional bread-making.

“Invited guest Adrian McCrudden ably demonstrated his skills in making Irish griddle breads and care assistant Maddie Matthews made sweet delicacies from her native continent of Africa.

“Nurse Sussamma Kuriakose also participated in the international flavour of the day by making an Indian curry and bread to serve with it. They were all delicious.

“In the afternoon, the international theme was further continued when Scottish nurse Shona Tamar joined in the live singalong and taught the residents some traditional Scottish songs.”

Visitors were also able to make the most of the good weather and enjoy exploring the home’s award-winning gardens, including the new sensory garden and vegetable garden tended by one of the residents.

The day concluded with a fabulous afternoon tea with lots of home-baked goodies, particular thanks to Jenny and Nicki for their delicious scones and cakes and administration manager Ellen Worthington received a surprise gift of a Tiffany necklace in recognition of her 20 years’ of service in Gillaroo Lodge.

Gillaroo Lodge has a number of long-serving members of staff.

A total of 18 have received an award for 10 years’ service. Ellen is the seventh to be presented with an award after 20 years.