Care home to host open day to showcase refurbished facilities

On Friday 21^st June from 10.30am to 4pm, Bernard Sunley, the Woking-based residential, nursing and dementia care home run by charity Friends of the Elderly, will be hosting an Open Day to showcase its newly refurbished facilities. The refurbishment has taken into account the needs of all its residents and includes areas tailored to support those living with dementia.

Andy Cumper, the Registered Manager at Bernard Sunley said:

“We wanted to create an environment with a calming and interesting ambience for all our residents, but especially for the residents living with dementia. Our Dementia Wing, which cares for and supports those living with early onset, late-stage and advanced dementia, is now equipped with interactive corridors which represent different, reminiscing scenarios. We have a railway station, a beach scene and our very own Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame.”

As residents and visitors stroll along the bright, airy and open corridors, passing the themed walls, representative sounds will accompany them.

Andy added:

“When a resident passes the beach scene, they will hear the sounds of waves and seagulls. If they are walking past the railway station, train noises will join them and, if they are moving along Hollywood Boulevard, illustrative music will be playing.”

In addition, the newly refurbished Bernard Sunley is now home to a relaxing indoor Italian Courtyard. The Italian-inspired area has a selection of Mediterranean city tours which are shown on a large wall-mounted screen for everyone to enjoy.

Andy continued:

“Between 10.30am and 4pm on Friday 21^st June, our Open Day will be the perfect opportunity for visitors to see all our newly refurbished areas and to really experience and see, first hand, daily life at Bernard Sunley.

“Our devoted and caring care team will be on hand to answer any questions and show how they are all committed to delivering high-quality care to each of our residents and respite guests. Their well-being, care and safety are at the heart of all we do, every day.”

Throughout the day there will be various activities taking place led by Bernard Sunley’s Activities Coordinators and Dementia Champions, including different inclusive games, exercise classes and sing-alongs. In HMS Bernard Sunley, the care home’s welcoming cruise-themed activities space, visitors will be able to see the large interactive table which provides a wide variety of engaging activities for groups or individuals to enjoy and visit the care home’s airy, second lounge which has a large flat screen television, cosy chairs for relaxing, socialising or reading. There is also a lovely piano which is used for regular sing-alongs and visiting entertainment performances.

Andy added:

“Our tours will take in all of Bernard Sunley’s newly refurbished areas and visitors will be able to see how spacious, comfortable and airy our spaces are. Visitors will also be able to take in our outside courtyard gardens which, in the warmer spring and summer months, are ideal for entertaining family and friends. Yvette Carr, Friends of the Elderly’s Learning and Development Lead will also be here and free to have informal talks with anyone who has any questions about caring for a loved one living with dementia.”

Bernard Sunley will also be opening its modern and fully equipped hairdressing salon for visitors to see and the much-loved Smiles Café.

Andy concluded:

“No visit to Bernard Sunley is complete without a visit to our Smiles Café. It is a warm and welcoming space where residents can meet with family, friends and other residents for a refreshing beverage, tea or coffee and, if they fancy, a tasty treat. Smiles Café will be open during our Open Day for visitors to enjoy as well.

“Everyone at Bernard Sunley is dedicated to providing exceptional care to support all our residents to live well in later life. The Open Day will be an ideal way for visitors to see for themselves that we do just that. It will be an interesting and inclusive day which, I know, everyone who comes along will enjoy.”