Meet the Residents at Birchwood Court

Want to know how well your loved ones will be looked after? We recently asked two residents of Birchwood Court what they thought of their stay there. Here's what they said along with a little bit about their day to day life:

Mary

Meet Mary!

Mary came to live with us at Birchwood Court in June. She had previously been in residential care elsewhere and had found it hard to settle. One day Mary had looked out of her window and noticed a van with Ashwood Park & Birchwood Court written on the side, she saw the van again the next day. She asked her daughter to try and find out a bit more about the homes."

"Our Ann brought me a brochure and I came to look around the home. I was very impressed. The rooms were nicely decorated; all colour co-ordinated bedding and curtains. They told me I could bring in pictures and furniture to make the room feel like home, and that's what it is, a home from home. The first thing I said when I arrived is thank god I'm home. I can come and go as I want to and it is a lot less restricted than where I was before."

"I was born in Easington and from my room I can see the church I was married in, the A19 and right up through the village to Hawthorn. The thing I like best about the place is the library, I must have read seven books since I arrived. I also love the fact that I can have my own telephone in my room, which helps me to keep in contact with family and friends. The staff are like friends, nothing is too much trouble for them, you just press your buzzer and they are there."

It's so quiet and peaceful here, I can always get a good nights sleep. I enjoy the food but you get so much I keep saying I will have to cut down a bit. I like to be outside in the fresh air and there are lovely gardens to sit in. I'm lucky as my family visit everyday but there's always something going on if you want to join in or someone to talk to. I enjoy the quizzes and I love to crochet and I have been busy crocheting blankets for everyone. I fitted in straight away and I am very happy here."

Ernie

Meet Ernie!

Ernie came to live with us in December following a tragic accident at home when his wife died. Ernie was unable to cope at home alone and couldn't bear the loneliness. His family wanted him to stay close by and so he came to Birchwood Court.

"I was lost when our lass died. It was all too much at home. The manager from here took me to the funeral. The family had arranged to hold the funeral at Birchwood in one of the big lounges. All the family came and we gave her a good send off. The buffet was a fine spread and I thank them all."

Ernie has adapted to life at Birchwood well. "I have a lovely room the sun shines right through all day long, I have my whole family on the wall in pictures from home, they are my memories. I suffer with my eyes, my visions bad and there's nowt they can do but I still like to join in with things, it's good company and one of the staff helps me mark my card at the bingo. They are all tops! This place has everything you need and people to help if you need it. Sometimes I like to sit quiet on my own and there's plenty of space to do that. There's always someone walking by who'll pass the time of day and have a bit crack. I sometimes go on trips to the local. I enjoy a couple of pints and some lunch and then they bring us back on the minibus. My family visit as much as they can but they don't have to worry about me, as they know I'm safe and being looked after. I get my fill of food every day and try to walk as much as I can. It took me a while to adapt to my life here but I have no complaints."