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.
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.
5 Tips to Help Those with Dementia on Bonfire Night
November ushers in the autumn layers, warm drinks and firelit nights. Fireworks too. While the sound of booms, pops and whizzes are exciting for most of us, for some with dementia it can be a cause of distress. Here are some tips to help bring relief while fireworks are going off on bonfire night.
1. Stay calm
By keeping calm when another is in distress, you can provide an emotional anchor and not exacerbate the situation. Try to think about how they are feeling right now. Striving to show empathy and put yourself in their situation may help you react in a more understanding manner, no matter how they address you. Take time to consider how you will answer them.
2. Use gentle body language and a soothing tone
Linked with keeping calm is also doing your best to create a calm atmosphere. Your tone of voice can make a difference. Speaking with a soothing, gentle tone at a steady pace can help dissipate distress in someone that has dementia. Rapid, jerking movements can denote aggression so do your best to use soft, slow movements around them.
3. Create a relaxing environment
Remove anything nearby that could worsen the level of distress experienced. For instance, anything that makes sudden loud noises, overly bright lights – anything that could harass the senses could cause further distress. Minimise surrounding distractions where possible.
4. Understand the person and their needs
Knowing much about the person with dementia will help you to understand how best to help them. Once you’re aware of their personality, their background and history, it may give you an indication of what situations and stimuli may be triggering for them. Once you know what makes them tick or are aware of the underlying causes of their distress, you can be better informed to provide support and relief.
5. Provide opportunities for meaningful engagement
It’s not enough just to create a relaxing environment. The sounds of fireworks are likely to permeate. So, keep them occupied in an activity that is meaningful and one they find enjoyable. Reassure them with your presence, words and active engagement. Validating their feelings helps shift their focus away from the noise and may help calm the person down.
A previous Bonfire Night at Highbury House, Rottingdean. A dear resident enjoying the fun of sparklers!
There are great benefits to either hosting or attending a bonfire night celebration for residents. And the above tips can be used in any distressing situation. We wish you all the best with bonfire season and hope as many as possible can enjoy it.
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!
Residents and staff at Lime Tree House Care Home in Ringmer, Lewes donned their best hats and outfits for Royal Ascot. However, this year, we had to adapt and adjust this very much awaited event due to the current situation, but the fun was guaranteed.
A Surprise for Ladies’ Day
The residents at Lime Tree House received a pleasant surprise on Ladies Day! Hannah, the granddaughter of one of our residents, brought her pony, Rory, and her horse, Woody, to our care home! We had an outside parade to mark this day. Our two equestrian guests were exceptionally well mannered and enjoyed the attention from our residents and staff.
Horsing Around: Little Rory shows us his best side as he trots round the car park. (Lime Tree House, Care Home in Ringmer)
Creating Meaningful Links with Our Community
Community engagement is very important to us. Every member of staff greatly appreciates and values each resident as an individual. That’s why we host events like these, to show our dear residents how much they mean to us, as well as to others in our local area.
“It was such a delight to be able to put on a show for the lovely residents at Lime Tree House. We are constantly looking for new ways to engage with our local community. This experience will stay with all of us for a long time. It was so good to see the smiles on their faces and being able to do something meaningful for all of them”.
Hannah, Owner of Rory The Pony
“It was so lovely to see all our residents and staff horsing around and enjoying the event. Their smiles where wide as a furlong. Our sincere thanks to our resident’s relatives for getting involved and making this happen”.
Julie MCPHATER, care home manager
Wonderful memories!
What is Lime Tree House like?
Lime Tree House is a residential care home in Ringmer, part of Southcare Homes Group. This family-run business provides high-quality, person-centred care and a unique way of life for the elderly. Our dedicated care providers staff strive to create happy homes and always work with a smile. Lime Tree House provides residential and respite care for the elderly. New residents are more than welcome and we always ensure we are there for those who need care and support.
Keeping everyone safe is also a priority for us. That’s why we have an unambiguous admission policy and robust infection control protocols. We are always putting the needs of our residents and their loved ones first. As a result, we are rising to every challenge this pandemic throws our way. Please give us a call if you are looking for care or need further help: 01273 813 755. You can also visit our website, www.southcarehomes.com/. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook.
