Residents celebrate their Home’s first anniversary with an unforgettable party

Above (left): Ron Twitchett enjoys the old tunes played at Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court’s anniversary party. 

Above (right): Resident Irene (104) and volunteer Vitalia proudly wear their golden crowns to join the anniversary party at the Home.

Residents and staff at Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court, in Berkshire, have just celebrated the Home’s first anniversary. Residents and their families, friends and volunteers enjoyed cakes, sandwiches and doughnuts at the Home’s bistro bar and gardens, where parasols and gazebos provided shade under the radiant summer sun.

To mark the special milestone, the staff decorated the care home with balloons, a balloon arch, streamers and banners in red, gold and white. Most residents and staff completed the party feel by wearing golden crowns.

Commenting on the event, resident Les Langley says:

So many of us plus guests enjoyed celebrating together. The food and drink were delicious! A really enjoyable party atmosphere.

Resident Michael Holdstock adds:

Lovely people, lovely staff and nice surroundings. The gardens were perfect in the brilliant weather to celebrate this special day!

Everyone also had the chance to play a huge pass the parcel game, played along with a joyful vintage party music, performed by a musician who played both the guitar and the harmonica. As residents sang with their loved ones, they reminisced about their youth and reflected on the future ahead.

Musician Ben Whitmarsh performs vintage music party for residents and their loved ones to enjoy at the Home.

Sharon Fletcher, one of the Home’s Activities Coordinators, says:

Seeing the beaming faces of residents engaging with staff, getting into the party mood, really highlighted the close bond we all share at our Home. Everyone values how we get to know each resident and treat them as individuals.

Abigail Cranston, the Home Manager, says:

Time flies when you are having fun. Every day is worth celebrating, but today we wanted it to be extra special. And we certainly achieved this!

A royal opening
The care home, which provides residential care, nursing and residential dementia support for up to 45 people, replaced the former Lord Harris Court, set in the same grounds.

In November 2022, HRH The Duke of Kent attended its official opening ceremony and enjoyed a tour around the Home, where he could observe its contemporary feel and the latest assistive technologies to support the residents. After the tour, The Duke of Kent was invited to unveil an engraved stone plaque to commemorate the official opening of the care home.

(From left to right) His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent; the Chairman of RMBI Care Co., John Boyington CBE, and RMBI Care Co. Managing Director, Mark LLoyd with the engraved stone plaque that commemorates the official opening of the Home.

[Summary: Residents and staff at Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court, in Berkshire, have just celebrated the Home’s first anniversary. Residents and their families, friends and volunteers enjoyed food and drink at the Home’s bistro bar and gardens. In November 2022, HRH The Duke of Kent attended its official opening ceremony and enjoyed a tour around the Home.]