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.
A career in Adult Social Care may not the most glamorous of career paths, but all those that work within it will honestly state that is it one of the most rewarding jobs you can have.
“Working in the care sector is hard work and can be long hours but it is very rewarding when you know you have made someone happy and well cared for.” – Angela, Lifestyle & Wellbeing Coordinator, Heatherdene Nursing Home, Bexhill
A career in care can also lead to developing meaningful, lasting ties with work colleagues and residents.
“My work family is incredibly important to me. We support one another through challenges and celebrate successes together. Having such a caring and supportive team makes Freshford Cottage a special place to work.” – Holly, Laundry Assistant, Freshford Cottage Nursing Home, Seaford
“I like working with people, the care sector gives me the opportunity to meet new and different people. Getting to know everyone’s interests and learning about their lives.” – Ade, Lifestyle & Wellbeing Coordinator, Highbury House Nursing Home, Rottingdean
At Southcare Homes Group, we are striving to support the next generation with their career pathways. We have recently joined the East Sussex Careers Open Doors initiative, which allows young people in East Sussex to gain meaningful experiences in the workplace while deciding on their future. We are excited to welcome local school visits to our homes and support young ones as they prepare for the world of work. Lime Tree House’s first Open Doors visit will be in September by Peacehaven Community School.
“Open Doors is a great way to shape young minds when it comes to their careers and choices. This initiative helps to provide someone with a taster of the amazing work that can be achieved in the care industry. Be it in the form of front-line care, administration or maintenance, young people will catch a first-hand, authentic glimpse of what it is like working in Adult Social Care.” – Karim Nanji, Proprietor, Southcare Homes Group
Southcare Homes Group is also actively engaging with the ESCC Education Department to become Industry Champions. Our group manager will attend The Turing School in Eastbourne to assist with job interview practice in November this year. The whole group is looking forward to engaging with the younger population and giving them knowledge and experience to forge careers within the care industry.
Southcare Homes Group is a small, close-knit, family-run business providing care across Surrey and Sussex. Our success is owed to our dedicated staff that naturally extend our company values and contribute to the welcoming atmospheres and efficient running of our homes. We view everyone – from residents to staff members – as individuals that matter. Just as a family grows and expands, we also encourage our staff to progress internally and seek out opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge.
“Some have said that care staff are not skilled and a role in adult social care has no advancement. However, the level of skill, knowledge and understanding – not only of legislation but of human nature and behaviours – is immense. There are many career advancement opportunities for those that wish and are prepared to learn. Caring for others also remains one of the most rewarding jobs that you can ever do.” – Vanessa Farmer, Group Manager, Southcare Homes Group
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.
How to choose a care home for a loved one can be a daunting task. Reading online reviews and looking through brochures can be a helpful way to assess the quality of care offered at a care home, sure, but can you smell a home through a computer screen? Can you see what staff are really like from the brochure?
Visit the home’s social media sites
First of all, check out the home’s social media. Their regular posts (and hopefully videos) will give you a broader understanding of what life is like in the home. They can tell you the type and frequency of activities arranged for residents. Videos can also give you a glimpse of the home’s layout and show you how staff interact with residents.
Surprise the home when you visit
Of course, nothing beats an in-person visit when you need to choose a care home. Visiting the home is always the best way to see if it’s the place for your loved one. Also, keep in mind, you don’t have to book a visit. Surprise the home. Just turn up! They’ll give you a tour, but the assessment can begin before you even step inside.
Before you walk in
Even before you walk in, have a look around. Are the grounds and surroundings well-maintained? Is long-term parking available on-site or nearby for future visits?
Trust Your Instincts and Use your Senses
Keep your five senses in mind when you enter the home.
Scent: is the air fresh and pleasant? If you can smell food cooking, does it smell appetising?
Sight: Does it feel homely? Is décor tasteful and cosy?
Sounds: Is it peaceful? Can you hear gentle music or call bells? Is an activity going on?
Feel: Is it warm inside? How do the staff treat you and make you feel?
Taste: were you offered a drink and maybe a biscuit?
Click here to access a helpful checklist that you can print off and take with you on your visits. That way, you will be better equipped to make the right decision for your loved one.
Give Yourself Time
What’s more, this important assessment process can be even more stressful when there are time constraints on your search. Most care seekers have roughly a month to find their loved one a care home or nursing home, but sometimes that time is reduced because of a fall or hospital visit.
Making a hasty decision has led some to pick the wrong home for their loved one. This means, the whole process above is repeated. More stress. If you can, take steps now to help your loved one and your whole family be a part of the care seeking journey. For more information on broaching the subject of care with an elderly relative, read our blog on how to have the care home conversation with a loved one. For more information on where to start your care seeking journey, visit our website.
Talking about a care home with an elderly loved one can be an emotional time for the whole family. Read on for helpful tips.
Going into care can be a difficult subject to discuss. But if you have genuine concerns for a loved one’s safety and welfare, then talking about a care home and their future care options is a necessary conversation to have.
Talk about care while there’s time.
The sooner you talk about a care home, the sooner you can identify any hesitations your loved one may have. This also gives them time to consider all the available options and the one that benefits them. Subsequently, it avoids having to make a rushed decision because their living situation has become critical.
Include your siblings.
Involve as many family members as possible. This way, everyone can support the decisions made and responsibilities can be shared.
Be patient.
If your loved one is reluctant to broach on the subject, maybe try and kindly ask why they don’t want to talk about care. Maybe they would rather talk to a friend or medical professional.
Ask them how they feel.
They may be in denial that they need any help or increased care. One reason for this may be a fear of losing independence. Try to understand their situation and reassure them you’re only trying to help and make life easier for them.
If you would like more help, please feel free to contact any one of our managers at our Southcare Homes for some friendly advice with no-obligation.
Read the short bio about Jacqui Ripley, Healthcare Assistant at Heatherdene Nursing Home in Bexhill. Jacqui, aged 80, will be leaving this month after a whopping 39 years at the home. Everyone at the home would like to wish her the very best! We had a little chat with Jacqui to find out more about her and her incredible career in care:
How did you go into the care sector?
I went into care by accident, really! Initially, I worked in Regent Street London for 15 years. After I moved to Bexhill, I got married and had three children. When my youngest was three, I started looking for part-time work. I got a job in care at Three Chimneys just for Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings.
One of the RGNs there mentioned her sister-in-law was opening a nursing home. And she thought it would be a fit for me! That home was Heatherdene Nursing Home! And that was back in April 1986! At that time, it only had 12 residents. As time went on, I took on more hours as my children were at school.
What’s special about Heatherdene?
During my time at Heatherdene Nursing Home, I loved watching the home’s magic start to work on new residents. On arrival, they would come in anxious and a little hesitant. But after a dose of good food and good care, the kindness, professionalism and companionship from the care team would shine through! Heatherdene is not a big home and it’s spotlessly clean and welcoming.
What advice would you give to new or current staff?
I just want to say the staff are fantastic! I always felt we were a family and you could rely on each other for help if needed. Lots of them have stayed and worked for 5 years plus at Heatherdene. The staff are the backbone of Heatherdene. And Beena, our amazing manager, is strict but always fair.
"I loved watching the home's magic start to work on new residents. They would come in anxious and a little hesitant... but after a dose of good food and good care, the kindness, professionalism and companionship from the care team would shine through."
Is there anyone in the home you’d like to mention?
I would like to mention Shaun, Lynn, Harriet, Veronica especially! Shimmy, in the kitchen, makes a stonking cauliflower cheese! And our Registered General Nurse, Marion Stevens, always listens when you flag someone up as being under par.
Tell us about you.
I have five grandchildren, and I like to read and I sew. My dog, Benson, keeps me on my toes! And I had a lovely surprise 80th birthday party and was truly spoilt. I don’t intend on losing touch with any of my Heatherdene friends. We will be having tea or coffee and a good catch up in the future.
Jacqui will certainly leave a legacy at the home and will be greatly missed!
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.”
