What is is really like to live with dementia? The team at Grasmere Care Home had a first-hand, immersive experience.
Grasmere Care Home ran its very first immersive dementia training session in July. Staff experienced some of the sensory and physical challenges associated with dementia. They had to complete a series of activities while wearing vision-impairing goggles, listening to loud background noise while wearing ear defenders to muffle voices, while also wearing gloves. They even had gravel placed in their shoes to create physical discomfort and distraction.
All of this was to simulate some of the sensory and physical challenges that a person living with dementia may experience while completing simple tasks.
The training session was powerful and the feedback was incredibly moving. Many staff shared that they felt anxious, overwhelmed, frustrated, and even panicked while trying to complete the activities. It was a real eye-opener and helped them gain a deeper understanding of how confusing and exhausting everyday situations can feel for someone living with dementia.
Grasmere Care Home is proudly part of the Southcare Homes Group, and one of our key company values is empathy. This new method of training allowed us to further develop this incredible quality. By building empathy and understanding, it helps our care professionals adapt their approach, improve communication, reduce distress, and provide more compassionate, person-led care.
A huge thank you to everyone at Grasmere Care Home for embracing the experience with such openness and enthusiasm. Together, we’re making a real difference in dementia care.
Highbury House Nursing Home had the joy of hosting a rootin’ tootin’ summer party for all residents and their loved ones. The weather was perfect and our cowboy hats were certainly needed!
The event was made even more special with the attendance of the Mayor of Brighton & Hove – Councillor Theresa Fowler – and Local Labour MP for Brighton, Kempton and Peacehaven – Chris Ward. Both had a wonderful time getting to know residents and talking to staff. Mr Ward’s family also joined him, and residents loved all the new, smiling faces.
We had a hoot singing together – ranging from American classics like Johnny Cash and Elton John. Mayor Fowler also sang a song for us which was a real treat for everyone! We all enjoyed a sunny afternoon with ice cream and plenty of tasty, themed dishes. Thank you also to The Little Hoof Company who brought along a pair of Shetland ponies – Digby and Doug! Residents loved the sensory experience from these friendly, cute creatures.
“Events like these are great!” says Cllr Fowler. “It’s been so lovely to be here and watch the enjoyment of all the residents. The horses have brought tears of happiness to some as they’ve fondly reminisced past memories. And the singing has been fantastic.”
Thank you to everyone that attended our summer party, and we look forward to welcoming you back soon.
The World Cup has just been won, but the Tartan Army are still celebrating! Scotland made it into the World Cup for the first time since 1998 this year! And Jacqui, Healthcare Assistant at Highbury House, proudly joined the Tartan Army in Boston to support them.
“After 28 years of not qualifying for the World Cup as soon as we had beaten Denmark I knew that I was going! I wasn’t sure about my partner (who’s English), but I told him he was welcome… if not, I was going on my own!😃”
Jacqui and her partner made the trip together and spent a week in Boston to support Scotland along with the Tartan Army. The mayhem started as soon as they arrived. Not all of it Scottish, though…
“We arrived early afternoon, checked into our hotel then went outside and the sky suddenly went black! We were told that there was a tornado warning in place, so we just stayed in the hotel.”
Neil McCann (an Ex Scottish player) was also staying at the same hotel. Jacqui also ended up at a bar where they met Ex Scottish footballer James McFadden!
“We asked him to sign our flag. I decorated the Saltire with glitter and put ‘Kings Arms Brighton On Tour’ on it.”
The Tartan Army Scottish supporters are widely known for their powerful, lively presence at home and away games. Jacqui and the rest of the supporters showed how true that was.
“On our way to train station to get train out to Gillette stadium, the pipers pipped us to the train. The singing was tremendous! The party had started!”
Of course, the fans couldn’t resist the classic tradition of leaving a few traffic cones on statues.
At the stadium we met a lot of different nationalities and the atmosphere was buzzing! Everyone around us joined in with the Tartan Army! All the service staff at the train station and at the stadium were amazing, singing, laughing, cheering us on. The game was good. Poor refereeing but it didn’t dampen our spirits. We still left the stadium singing and dancing!”
The liveliness carried on through the evening with most of the Tartan Army ending up in the same pub together, having a fun, memorable night singing Scottish songs. Which included, of course, “No Scotland, No Party.”
The Tartan Army also raised a lot of money for local charities. To keep costs down, they hired a fleet of school buses for fans to go and watch the game. They got a rebate back on their initial payment and donated it to local charities. They also cleaned up the fans zones (the area for those who couldn’t get a ticket).
Despite Scotland being knocked out the World Cup, the achievement will be remembered and the support from devoted fans such as Jacqui won’t be forgotten.
Southcare Homes Group got into the swing of springtime back in February, celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Day. It’s always lovely to make people smile and it’s beneficial to our mental health, too, when we give to others. Our homes took the opportunity to give back to their community, and here are some highlights.
Our nursing home in Bexhill, Heatherdene, dropped off a personal thank-you card and box of chocolates to the Rose and Crown in Bexhill, a local pub often visited by residents.
The Rose and Crown said how nice it was that the residents have taken the time to consider them: ‘Thank you all so much, we’re so pleased, we work so hard every day to make sure our customers have a great visit.’
Highbury House, in Rottingdean, also visited some local establishments in their community, delivering small gifts and thank-you notes. They stopped off at their local Post Office and Christopher Stringers Funeral Directors. It was lovely to see how such a small token put a smile on their faces.
The home manager of our residential home in Ringmer, Stacey, decided to surprise the staff and residents atLime Tree Housewith a random act of kindness. Stacey spent time handing out decorated cookies with an individual, heartfelt message from her to everyone. Stacey said, “kindness is love made visible – people will never forget how you make them feel.”
And that’s so true. It can make such a difference when we put our love and care into action – even in small ways. And everyone in the Southcare family strives to do that each day.
Southcare Homes Group is proud to announce that our founder, Mrs Zeenat Nanji, is a finalist in this year’s WAGS Awards. Zeenat was nominated for the Lifetime Achievement Award (Residential) Category. WAGS stands for Women Achieving Greatness in Social Care. According to the WAGS website, over 85% of the care workforce is female. And the WAGS Awards programme is a way to celebrate the hardworking, dedicated women that work tirelessly in this sector. Women working in care often juggling their work and family life. Read on to find out why Zeenat Nanji is well deserving to be a WAGS Lifetime Achievement finalist for 2025.
A Lifetime in Care
Mrs Nanji has had a career in care for over 50 years! It began in a hospital in Charing Cross and later turned into a successful career as a midwife. Since 1986, Zeenat transitioned into health and social care. From there, she has dedicated her life to supporting and empowering the elderly.
Zeenat is a compassionate leader and advocate for quality care. She has acquired seven care homes over the years and has built each one on her values of dignity, respect, and kindness. She has worked on numerous projects to improve the lives of residents while mentoring and training her staff to uphold the highest standards in collaboration with the Care Quality Commission.
Zeenat worked closely with Brain+ CEO, Devika Wood, to roll this program out within two of her homes. She completed the training herself and continues to support her teams at Grasmere Rest Home and Lime Tree House. Zeenat still has an active role in the group. She manages and conducts training sessions for care staff in all five for her homes.
Alongside her professional achievements, Zeenat is a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her dedication, resilience, and compassion continue to inspire those around her. She is a true role model in her field and worthy to be a WAGS Awards Finalist.
She is also an avid and talented golfer, having been club Captain at Leatherhead Golf Club. Zeenat has a love of theatre, enjoys spending time in Portugal and loves being with her family.
She is an inspiration to everyone at Southcare Homes Group and has made our group what it is today – a group of care homes with strong family values and a determination to provide high-quality, compassionate care. We are so happy she has been nominated to be a WAGS Lifetime Achievement Finalist! We all wish her every success when she attends the awards night tomorrow!
Southcare Homes Group hosted their very first Recognition & Awards Night last week and it was such a success!
Veronika Markova receiving Healthcare Assistant of the Year Award, sponsored by Beaucare. Pictured with Emily Lamb, Head of Customer Experience and Partnerships at Beaucare, and Southcare Homes Proprietor, Karim Nanji.
Around 100 members of the Southcare Homes team were able to attend and we’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who held the fort at our homes and were working on this night, looking after our dear residents – it means so much.
A luxurious night to remember at DoubleTree by Brighton Hilton Metropole
The evening was held at The DoubleTree Hotel by Brighton Hilton Metropole along Brighton’s sparkling seafront. And the sparkles didn’t stop there! Everyone dressed to impress in colourful dresses, fine suits, and shared a warm welcome at the luxurious drinks reception.
Later, we went into the exquisite main dining hall, complete with ten beautifully laid tables, a large stage, chandeliers from the ceiling, and a dancefloor for later. The awards ceremony began with three awards, each presented by one of sponsors who did a great job in making it feel like the Oscars. Following the two course meal, there was more passionate cheering from the audience as more awards for received, and the team spirit throughout the whole evening was fantastic!
The Awards
Here are our list of winners for the Southcare Homes Group Recognition & Awards Night 2025:
Care Home Support Team Member of the Year – Georgina Marsh, who has various roles at Highbury House, Rottingdean
Community Engagement Champion of the Year – Anthony Noad, Activities Coordinator, Grasmere, Sutton
Central Support Staff Member of the Year – Amber Gibson, Marketing Executive & Lisa Massey, Group Finance Assistant
Newcomer of the Year – Holly Hale, Healthcare Assistant, Lime Tree House, Ringmer
Health Care Assistant of the Year – Veronika Markova, HCA, Heatherdene, Bexhill
Nurse of the Year – Precilla D’Souza, Registered Nurse, Freshford Cottage, Seaford
Leader of the Year – Savarnia Peters, Team Leader, Lime Tree House
Star of the Year – Antonina Gont, Home Manager, Grasmere, Sutton
Champion of Champions – Maria Yonova, Healthcare Assistant, Highbury House, Rottingdean
Digitalisation Award – Antonina Gont & Aimee Duffy
Well done to each of our winners!
There were also awards for those that have been working in our Southcare Homes for a good number of years. Many over 5, some of 10, and a few over 20! Everyone gave a standing ovation and a huge congratulations to three individuals who have been with the Southcare Homes family for over 25 years: Angela Taylor at Highbury House job who works as an Activities Coordinator, Karen Baker at Grasmere, Senior Healthcare assistant, and our longest running staff member, Jacqueline Ripley at Heatherdene, who has been a Healthcare Assistant at Heatherdene for 39 years! We are so thankful and honoured for every faithful member of staff.
From right: Jacqueline Ripley, Karen Baker, Joanne Robinson-Randall, Group Manager, accepting the award for Angela Taylor, and Proprietor, Karim Nanji.
A thank you to everyone that could attend!
A huge thank you to the proprietors of Southcare Homes. Firstly, Karim Nanji for being the brains behind the event and for MCing and keeping us all entertained. And to Mrs Zeenat Nanji for her heartfelt thank you to everyone that was able to attend.
Thank you also to our esteemed guests, supporters & sponsors who presented the awards so well!
A special mention to Emily Gill and Emily Lamb from Beaucare who travelled over 5 hours to be with us!
And we can’t forget our fantastic photographer, Lorna Ellen Photography, who did an amazing job of capturing the magic of the night! Thank you!
We were so happy so many could be there to enjoy the momentous evening for Southcare Homes!
Living Our Values
Our five values – support, passion, attention, dedication and empathy – are at the core of Southcare Homes and help us create our familial group culture, maintain high standards and develop a welcoming atmosphere. It’s important to know them, but it’s even more important that we live them. Our success is owed to staff that naturally live by our company values and contribute to the welcoming atmospheres and efficient-running of our homes. Our awards night was a time to recognise and reward the incredible effort our staff put in to living our values every single day.
Southcare Homes Group is proud to be the first UK care home group to partner with Brain+. Brain+ is a leader in digital therapeutics for dementia care. This partnership introduces a new tool called Ayla into our dementia care program. Ayla is an advanced platform specifically designed to support the preparation and delivery of a leading treatment of dementia known as Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST). Firstly, though, what is Cognitive Stimulation Therapy or CST?
What is Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST)?
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy is the most well-researched, non-pharmacological treatment for those with mild to moderate dementia care. It involves structured group sessions that are specially designed for people with dementia. As a result, they help those involved to express their views, learn new things and work with others. Group members will engage in a range of activities in a relaxed environment to stimulate thinking, memory and to connect with others. These activities include, for example:
Singing songs
Listening to music
Taking part in practical activities such as baking
Playing word games
Discussing current news stories
Research has shown that these sessions can improve cognition, quality of life, and communication. Implementing this form of treatment in care homes however comes with its own set of challenges. The staff and resources available to run these sessions, for instance, are limited. That’s where Brain+ and digital dementia care come in.
Understanding Digital Dementia Care
Brain+ are global pioneers of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy and digital dementia care, and they believe in empowering both residents and caregivers to make dementia care better. They have therefore developed Ayla – your CST Assistant to help trained facilitators bring innovative dementia care solutions to residents.
A new digital dementia care tool – Ayla
Ayla provides:
Clinically validated CST sessions that replicate products recommended by NICE and WHO
Integrated modes of therapy. This includes sensory stimulation, reminiscence and music therapy
Measurable outcomes and evidence generation. This allows us to gauge the impact of sessions and share the results with residents’ family members and regulatory bodies.
Enhanced awareness and training that enables care homes to broaden the pool of qualified facilitators and enhance awareness.
Who are Southcare Homes Group?
At Southcare Homes Group, we strive to continually enhance not only our high-quality care but our residents’ experiences and partnership only reinforces our efforts. Two of our homes, Lime Tree House in Ringmer and Grasmere Rest Home in Sutton, will be pioneering Ayla with residents. Staff will receive professional CST accreditation, and this will equip them with the expertise to deliver personalised cognitive therapy.
“We are delighted to partner with Brain+ to introduce Ayla – Your CST Assistant into our care homes. Dementia care is at the heart of what we do, and we are always looking for innovative ways to improve the lives of our residents. The opportunity to integrate digital CST and provide our staff with specialised training ensures that we continue to lead the way in delivering exceptional dementia support.”
– Karim Nanji, Managing Director, Southcare Homes Group
“This partnership with Southcare Homes is a defining moment for Brain+ in the UK, as it validates the potential of Ayla – Your CST Assistant in transforming dementia. The whole ethos of the home is to go above and beyond in giving the best possible care to its residents. You can really see the passion and desire to do things differently from the leadership to the wonderful care managers. We are thrilled to work with such a forward-thinking care provider, and we look forward to expanding our impact in the UK.”
Two nursing homes, Highbury House in Rottingdean and Freshford Cottage in Seaford, had a great time celebrating Chinese New Year. 2022 is the year of the Tiger. If your birthday falls under this year, you’re said to be a born leader, courageous and inspiring.
To celebrate this special day, residents at Highbury House wrote a note to those they miss, those they care about or those that inspire them. We then turned those notes into beautiful, vibrant Chinese lanterns. Some then decorated their lanterns with tiger faces. Of course, we had a themed meal of Spring rolls and some fortune cookies in there, just for fun.
Freshford Cottage also ushered in the Chinese New Year in style. Residents were helped to write their name in Chinese characters which was very fun and write down what Chinese year they were born in (turns out we didn’t have any tigers). But we did create a tiger-themed tea trolley, bedecked with lanterns and dragons! It went round to all the residents’ rooms, dropping off goodies and spreading New Year festivities.
We hope you all have a prosperous year! To find more about these homes, visit www.southcarehomes.com or visit their Facebook pages: @FreshfordCottage @HighburyHouseRottingdean
All our homes had a terrific time raise funds and awareness for the outstanding charity, Macmillan Cancer Support and their annual Biggest Ever Coffee Morning.
Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at Highbury House… that’s right, a tea party for a coffee morning – mad I tell you!
Highbury House and their wonderful Mad Hatter Tea Party! It was a day full of colour, craziness and cakes! A massive thanks to local businesses, such as Tesco, The Trellis Restaurant, S.A. Devesons Groceries, The White Horse Hotel, Rottingdean, Shane’s kitchen, Budgens. They all generously donated prizes for our Raffle! Also thanks to our heroic staff! They even brought in their own whacky outfits! We had Alice in Wonderland playing in our outdoor cinema, and a stunning themed cake created in house! Thanks to all our relatives that joined – even getting hats for their pets to wear! What a day!
Relatives and friends of Lime Tree House were able to join for a virtual cup of coffee for their Macmillan Morning. Their fabulous chef, Toby, made coconut and jam, Victoria sponge, carrot cake and Laura, our new activities coordinator made her oh-so-fabulous ginger cake!
Grasmere also managed to raise over £100 while also managing to work their way through an assortment of beautiful homemade cakes! They had a quiz, and even a jolly good game of beerpong (minus the beer though)!
A selection of sweet sponges to delight and tempt made their way onto the cake table at Heatherdene’s Coffee Morning. We are so grateful for the enthusiasm from our residents, staff, family and friends who not only raised the roof but managed to raise over £100 towards the charity. Thank you all for making our coffee morning such a sweet success!
Freshford Cottage’s Macmillan Coffee Morning was also a great success! You can see pictures and find out more details by visiting their Facebook page.
At the end of August, our residents had an amazing day on our first outing with Oomph Wellness! Our activities coordinator, Antony, arranged a trip with them to the stunning Kew Gardens in London. We had a smooth journey up to London and Oomph! made sure that all was well before our journey.
Outside the Orangery, we had a homemade picnic and afterwards took a beautiful walk down The Great Broad Walk Borders that had colourful flowers in the borders. Residents were amazed by the Weeping Beech Tree which had the most incredible looking trunk.
Conservatories & Cacti
Later, we made our way through the Princess of Wales Conservatory. It had a vast collection of Cacti and exotic plants. One of our residents, Valerie, said, “It was lovely being in the fresh air and being together with nice company. I was fascinated by the cacti.” Valerie even bought one as memento of her trip at the gift shop.
The day was finished with a walk through the vast Rock Garden. Of course, we also had to stop for a nice cup of tea. The beautiful views, fresh air and lots of laughter is what we all needed! Jean, one of our dear residents, said, “It exceeded my expectations and I saw parts of Kew I’d never seen before.” She concluded, “I was very taken by the trip.”
Thank you Oomph! Wellness for a lovely trip
Thank you to all the staff from Oomph Wellness for driving our residents to the gardens. Neil, our driver, was superb! He even changed our pick-up point as our party were very tired at the end of their full day. Thanks also to our Activities Coordinator, Antony, for organising this amazing trip. A Big thank you also to Debbie and Ioana for taking such a good care of the residents during the outing. Now, our residents can’t wait to go back to The Royal Botanical Gardens! Audrey said, “I would like to go again as I would like to see the other parts of Kew we were not able to see.” We look forward to our next outing with Oomph!
