VE Day 80: Veterans recall the end of war in Europe
WWII veterans at Royal Star & Garter care homes have been remembering Victory in Europe (VE) Day, 80 years ago. They recalled celebrations and festivities which took place on 8 May 1945, following Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender to Allied forces in WWII, and the end of fighting in Europe. Some also paid tribute to sacrifices made by those who served during the war, and reflected on the difficulties which continued after VE Day. Royal Star & Garter provides loving, compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia, from Homes in Solihull, Surbiton, High Wycombe, and now in Worthing, having recently merged with the military charity Care for Veterans. The charity also has services reaching into the community, including Day Care, Lunch Club and a free-to-use Telephone Friendship Service. Those sharing memories of the momentous day live at Royal Star & Garter’s Homes, or use its other services. Among those remembering VE Day was Amy, who celebrated her 100th birthday earlier this year, and was in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) during WWII. The veteran, who lives at the charity’s Surbiton Home, signed up as a 17-year-old in 1942, and was a barrage balloon operator, before becoming a plotter at a station near Hastings. She was there on D-Day in 1944, and again for VE Day the following year. She said: “I was stationed in Hastings and we went on a victory parade. I remember it distinctly, it was jolly good. But I thought about the people that had lost so much. I was there when we sent people across to Normandy [for the D-Day landings], so of course we thought about all the people who were no longer with us.” Bill had joined the RAF in 1943, aged just 15, and was serving at RAF Halton in May 1945. Now a resident at the charity’s Home in Solihull, he said: “It was fairly obvious we were getting close to it [Nazi surrender] the day before. That evening a group of WAAFs came up to our wing and there was dancing in the barracks’ square. That was highly unusual because the barracks’ square was holy ground that you didn’t go on, and we weren’t supposed to associate with women! The following morning they announced we had the day off and we could do what we like. Myself and a couple of friends went to Wycombe and we spent VE Day there. By the time my celebrations had ended the last bus had left for Halton, so I stayed the night, with a couple of RAF friends, at my mother’s, who lived nearby. The joyous nature of that day is hard to describe, it’s was an absolutely splendid occasion. But I was just a young lad, I didn’t dwell on what had been achieved or what had been lost. We had other thoughts.” It was also a special moment for Bill’s father, Jack. He had served in the trenches during WWI, and was injured in the Somme. During WWII he joined the Home Guard as soon as it was formed. Bill recalled: “He did more than his bit for his country over the two World Wars.” For Richard, who lives at the High Wycombe Home, the relief in the air was palpable. He was just 12 at the time, and went on to enjoy a long and distinguished career as a pilot in the RAF. He was in Hazelmere on VE Day, and said: “We were still at war with Japan, but as far as the war in Europe was concerned, it was exciting and interesting [that it was over]. There were a lot of street parties – they had long tables and lots of people on all of them. I can remember it quite clearly, it was a great time actually. There was a tremendous amount of relief that war had finished.” Margaret, from Royal Star & Garter in Solihull, was in Birmingham and aged 13. Now 93, she said: “It was fantastic. There were street parties everywhere. I remember all the tables in the streets. Wives and mums used to go around the street collecting coppers (loose change) towards the street parties. I remember my mum going round all the houses collecting money for the party. It was so exciting!” Other residents also remembered celebrations and festivities. Solihull resident Sue was at teacher training college in Cheltenham. Just 18 at the time, Sue said: “They put out bread and sandwich filling and we had the day off, everybody did what they wanted. We went into town, there was jollifications and flags were going up and church bells were ringing and there was more or less a street party. It was a gloriously sunny day in Cheltenham. Everybody was rejoicing.” Bob was nearly 10 and at school in Tolworth, south west London, on VE Day. Now a resident at the Surbiton Home, he said: “I was going to school and people were putting up flags. An old man said to me ‘it’s all finished now, you can have celebrations tomorrow’. They were putting up bunting, US flags and Union Jacks, all down the road. I put some flags around my aunt’s oak tree. I remember the VE Day parades, they were memories I will never forget. We had special lunches at school. We were allowed to dress up, there were parties in the playground. It was unforgettable.” For RAF veteran Michael, who also lives at Royal Star & Garter in Surbiton, VE Day not only brought peace in Europe, but his father back from war. Michael was aged seven at the time, and explained: “We were living near Bury St Edmunds and went there because there were parties going on all over the place. You could see these trails in the sky, all these planes buzzing about. Everyone seemed to be happy and everyone seemed to know everyone else. There was much shaking of hands and hugs and laughter and there seemed to be quite
Green Fingered Gardeners and Residents Excited For Summer
Following on from this month’s Community Garden Week, at Little Bramingham Farm, the Luton-based residential care home run by charity Friends of the Elderly, which is celebrating its 120th Anniversary this year, the care team has welcomed back its community partner, YAWN Life, a Community Interest Company (CIC) and the day service related to the YAWN charity, which was created specifically for sociable young at heart adults who have learning disabilities, these green fingered gardeners are looking forward to the summer. The YAWN Life Group have been visiting Little Bramingham Farm for nearly two years and visit the care home every Tuesday for three hours to help with the upkeep and maintenance of Little Bramingham Farm’s stunning gardens. “It’s wonderful to have the YAWN Life Team back for another year,” said Emma Lawrance, the Registered Manager at the Care Home. “Since the gardeners started their regular horticultural visits, the gardens have come on leaps and bounds and never looked better.” To start this year’s ‘blooming adventure,’ Karen Charity, Little Bramingham Farm’s Activities Coordinator, Emma and the YAWN Team visited a local store to pick out a selection of seeds for the gardens. “The YAWN Team and I went to The Range™ and purchased a wide variety of various seeds which they will be planting for us this spring. They included flowers and vegetables as our Chef, Jim Wright, loves to use the fresh produce that is grown in the vegetable patch in his delicious meals,” said Karen. “Our clients thoroughly enjoy their weekly visits to Little Bramingham Farm. It’s hard to say what the favourite gardening task is as they enjoy everything from planting, watering and weeding to caring for the colourful flower beds and vegetable patch. Each activity is undertaken with such care and diligence, it’s great to see,” added one of the YAWN charity Co-founders, Jeanette Tennyson. The weekly YAWN Team visits are a firm favourite on the care home’s vast Activities Calendar. “The residents look forward to the weekly gardeners visits and like to pop out to the garden for a chat with everyone,” continued Karen. “Chatting about their own past gardening experiences is a lovely reminiscing exercise and they like nothing more than sharing their own green fingered tips with the YAWN Team.” “The residents also offer up their own gardening advice as well,” added Emma. “It’s amazing how knowledgeable they are about plants, shrubs and flowers. Since the YAWN Team has been visiting Little Bramingham Farm, the gardens have undergone a terrific transformation, the YAWN Team even built a selection of six raised flower beds in the allotment vegetable patch section of the garden, they really do a great job each week. “We decided to keep Tuesdays as the YAWN Team day as this coincides with our Susie’s Tea Room being open which gives all the community a chance to interact and engage with the YAWN Team members, the residents and each other, it’s a real community day. During the warm spring and summer months, the residents love nothing more than sitting in the gardens, admiring the gorgeous flowers, having a natter and enjoying a tasty treat from Susie’s. The other day a resident said to me that spring is just the warm-up for the real party – summer and they are all keen for the warm weather and good garden days to arrive,” concluded Emma. http://www.yawnlife.co.uk/
Merriman Grange: Prioritising Resident Safety
Merriman Grange, a beautiful new care home from Cinnamon Care Collection, located in Worthing, West Sussex, is designed to provide a warm, comfortable, and safe environment for its residents. Offering exceptional care across three floors, including a dedicated dementia unit, the home prioritises the well-being of its vulnerable residents. Ensuring comprehensive fire safety in such a complex environment is paramount, requiring a tailored approach that balances robust protection with the specific needs of the residents. Care home fire safety is a multifaceted project. It demands a system that not only detects fires rapidly but also integrates seamlessly with other building systems, minimises disruption during installation, and provides reliable, user-friendly ongoing maintenance. For Merriman Grange, Southern Fire Alarms was entrusted with the crucial task of designing and installing a state-of-the-art fire safety system. As a new build project, Southern Fire Alarms had the opportunity to implement a comprehensive solution from the ground up. They chose Hochiki as their primary life safety manufacturer, citing their ESP range’s reputation for ease of installation and excellent compatibility with other building management systems. This integration was crucial for Merriman Grange, allowing for a streamlined and efficient operation of all building services. The system installed was a full L1 category fire alarm system, providing complete smoke and fire detection coverage across all three floors of the building. This comprehensive approach ensures that every area, from communal spaces to individual rooms, is protected. The presence of a dementia unit presented a unique challenge, requiring a system that would not cause undue stress or panic among residents. Hochiki devices were selected specifically for their flexibility in terms of alarm volumes and tones, minimising potential distress for these particularly vulnerable individuals. The ease of use for staff was another key consideration. Hochiki devices are designed to be intuitive, simplifying routine testing by maintenance teams. This user-friendliness ensures that staff can respond effectively to any fire safety event, providing peace of mind for both residents and their families. “When it comes to reliability and ease of installation, Hochiki is our go-to manufacturer,” said Naomi Fell of Southern Fire Alarms. “Their ESP range of addressable products are consistently high-quality, and their integration capabilities are second to none. For a complex project like Merriman Grange, where we needed a robust and dependable system that also considered the specific needs of dementia residents, Hochiki was the perfect choice. Their devices are designed to minimise false alarms and provide clear, reliable warnings, which is crucial in a care home environment. We know that with Hochiki, we’re providing our clients with the best possible protection.” The successful installation of the Hochiki fire safety system at Merriman Grange underscores the importance of a well-planned and expertly executed fire safety strategy. By partnering with Southern Fire Alarms and utilising Hochiki’s advanced technology, Cinnamon Care Collection has created a safe and secure environment for its residents, ensuring their comfort and well-being for years to come. Tel: +44 (0) 1634 266568; E: padams@hochikieurope.com
Cosmetics influencer role after viral TikTok
A 103-year-old resident with an infectious charm and timeless beauty routine has taken TikTok by storm at HC-One’s Millcroft Care Home in Redditch, Worcestershire. A heartwarming video featuring Joan Partridge applying her signature rouge blusher has gained over 180,000 views, earning her widespread adoration and an exciting new role as an influencer for Collection Cosmetics. Joan, known for her radiant smile and upbeat personality, is a beloved resident at HC-One’s Millcroft Care Home. Joan embraces an active social life and eagerly participates in community activities. Her confidence and social flair shine through in everything she does, making her TikTok moment a perfect reflection of her lively spirit. The viral video, filmed by Lifestyle Manager, Sophie Childs, captured Joan sharing her decades-long ritual of applying rouge – a routine she has cherished since forever. The idea for the video sparked during a casual chat between Joan and Sophie about make-up. When Joan mentioned her love for rouge, Sophie suggested creating a TikTok to showcase her expertise, inspired by the platform’s popular make-up tutorials. Joan enthusiastically agreed, and the result was a charming clip that resonated with viewers worldwide. Overwhelmed by the flood of positive comments, she couldn’t believe how many people connected with her story. The video’s success caught the attention of Collection Cosmetics, who reached out via a comment on Millcroft’s TikTok page, saying, “’Hey, we love the recent video of the gorgeous Joan using our blush. We would love to send her some products to try!” A direct message followed, proposing an influencer partnership. Joan, thrilled by the opportunity, is eager to dive into her new role as a brand influencer. As an influencer, Joan plans to create more videos showcasing her full make-up routine, using her trusty sponge and the new products from Collection Cosmetics. Joan Partridge, HC-One’s Millcroft resident, stated: “I know I’m 103, but I still like my make-up. I do it every morning. I didn’t think I would have gained so much attention. I was shocked and overwhelmed. “It was lovely to share my way of applying rouge because I’ve done this for many years. I’m excited to see the collection of make-up. I can’t wait to get some more make-up and show everyone my whole routine. “Beauty to me means natural all over. It’s nice to feel good about yourself, no matter how old you are – you can’t go without your rouge.” A spokesperson for Collection Cosmetics said: “We love seeing Joan share her make-up tips with such confidence and authenticity. Her approach to blush makes her the perfect example of a real-life beauty ambassador, celebrating individuality, self-expression, and the belief that beauty knows no boundaries. We can’t wait to see more from Joan and hope the younger generations feel inspired by her effortless style.” For more information about Millcroft Care Home and upcoming events, please contact the friendly team on 01527 433 384, or email millcroft@hc-one.co.uk. Millcroft is a residential and residential dementia care home located on Alfrick Close in Redditch and rated 10/10 on the care home review site, Carehome.co.uk. With 66 en-suite bedrooms and attractive décor, Millcroft is proud to offer person-centred care in a dignified manner, promoting independence as far as possible.
SCIE launches awards
SCIE is proud to announce the launch of our first-ever Social Care Impact Awards. These awards will identify, recognise, and reward small organisations doing exceptional work in social care. SCIE is a not-for-profit, independent, and impartial charity driven by improving social care for adults and children. By launching our Social Care Impact Awards, we hope to support those organisations that would not ordinarily have the budget available to commission our services. There are dozens of prizes available—ranging from seventeen days of SCIE consultancy and training support to spaces on SCIE training courses. The awards are open to organisations with annual incomes up to £100,000. The simple application process invites organisations to submit 300 words, a 2-minute video, or a 2-minute voice note explaining why they should be considered for a Social Care Impact Award. If you’re part of a small organisation trying to make a big difference, we want to hear from you. For more details on how to create and submit an entry, please visit our website. The deadline for entries is 9am, Wednesday 28 May 2025. Winners will be notified by 20 June, with first and second prize recipients invited to an awards event in London on 2 July 2025. Kathryn Smith OBE, SCIE’s Chief Executive, said: “SCIE’s vision is for a society which enables people who draw on social care to live fulfilling lives, and the Social Care Impact Awards are about acknowledging, celebrating, and supporting the organisations that embody this vision through their values, passion, and hard work. “We believe that, in the face of significant and critical challenges, the commitment and dedication of the social care sector has never been in greater need of commemoration. “The Social Care Impact Awards are one way we are recognising this need. They will allow us to showcase excellence, support best practice, and share key insights—and, perhaps most importantly, build on the partnerships that already exist across the sector.” https://www.scie.org.uk/
Leading care provider celebrates carers across the country
Leading live-in and home care provider Promedica24 celebrates its carers through a series of awards to recognise their hard work and achievements. Promedica24 , care provider, presented awards to carers specialising in live-in and hourly care. The Live-in Carer of the Year award went to Abosede Oluwawemimo Oyedeji, who is based in Neston. Abosede was nominated by her colleagues, who described her as “caring, proactive, and always ready to help, with a real attention to detail.” Her manager described how she has consistently gone the extra mile with a recent client, providing additional respite when needed. Abosede described her favourite part about being a carer as making a positive difference in the lives of the people she cares for, as well as bringing relief and comfort to her clients and their family members. Commenting on the award itself, she stated that it made her feel as though her “contributions, commitment, hard work, and efforts have been recognised and acknowledged.” She also stated that the award had increased her “confidence and self-esteem.” Promedica24’s Hourly Carer of the Year award was won by Victoria Kudabvanji, who cares for clients across Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole. She has been celebrated for always putting the well-being of her clients first. The nomination that won her the award emphasises that Victoria “has made a lasting impact with her dedication, kindness, and professionalism.” She was further praised for being not only an outstanding carer but also a wonderful teammate. When explaining why she chose to work in care, Victoria stated that she knew she wanted to care for others from a young age – whether it’s helping someone on a difficult day or simply knowing their likes and dislikes, she always tries to bring patience, positivity, and understanding. Grzegorz Wrzosek, Country Manager at Promedica24, said: “At Promedica24, we know that our people are our greatest asset. It’s our dedicated live-in and hourly carers who set us apart, delivering attentive and person-centred care every day. “We were glad to be able to reward Abosede and Victoria for their great work, and this recognition is just one way we hope to show our appreciation for the carers who go above and beyond. The nominations they both received are a testament to the real impact they’ve had on the individuals and families they support.”
apetito Drives into the Future with EVs Fleet…
In an ‘industry-first’ for the development and mobilisation of refrigerated electric vehicles EVs, that can sustain frozen food temperatures for extended periods, leading meals producer, apetito | Wiltshire Farm Foods has announced a massive £14.3m investment into reducing carbon emissions of its Wiltshire Farm Foods distribution fleet. The aim of the investment is to support apetito’s ambitious carbon reduction targets, through the conversion of 75% of its entire Wiltshire Farm Foods delivery fleet to EVs. The company’s commitment to electrifying its fleet has included a fast roll out with immediate mobilisation of the new EVs. Already Wiltshire Farm Foods has seen over 135 brand-new refrigerated EVs delivered since May 2024, with 240 vans scheduled to be on the road by end 2025. The change will save an impressive 1,102 tonnes of CO2e per year from the business’s current scope 1 emissions of 9,000co2e, making a real difference in apetito’s journey to achieve its Net Zero targets. As the biggest procurer of frozen vehicles in the UK, Wiltshire Farm Foods is unique. Most other companies use ambient – or a split of ambient and frozen. No other company has adopted a frozen fleet which is electric, making this a market-leading initiative that is set to signpost the industry towards the future. Lee Sheppard, Director of Corporate Affairs, Policy & Sustainability for apetito | Wiltshire Farm Foods says: “Whilst EVs are now commonplace on the road, our journey has been complex due to the need for our fleet to be able to sustain freezer temperature for extended periods to ensure our meals are retained and delivered at the right temperature. “At the onset, the suppliers we original spoke to all said that it “couldn’t be done”. However, working with our chosen partner, Pro-Hire, we spent many months researching, developing, and trialling new technologies and today marks an important milestone in that journey as we see our new fleet out on the road. “As part of this new technology, many of our vans have the unique features to extend power draw including the addition of solar panels to enable them to generate more power whilst the vans are in motion. “We’re immensely proud of the fact that we have successfully made this important Net Zero initiative happen, and also of the speed at which we are mobilising the new fleet, which leads the industry in the delivery of frozen food products”. Pat Skelly, CEO of Pro-Hire which partnered with apetito in developing the technology explains that small changes make a big difference when it comes to generating power: “We reviewed every single component of the EV’s to leverage the power opportunity. For example, we added a 12.5volt battery which operates from inside the cab to protect the main battery. We did everything we could to add more power through solar panels, curtains on the back of the van (to prevent sunshine creating warmth), and made sure floor covering is super-smooth to ensure boxes can be pulled out quicker. We’ve decreased the door size to ensure cold is kept in and we’re searching for vehicle improvements all the time. “This series of micro-improvements have improved the macro picture and everything that can be done – has been done! We have a strong relationship with apetito and are absolutely delighted that together we have been able to ‘deliver the goods’.” https://www.apetito.co.uk
Social care employers say YES to the real Living Wage
There are now over 1000 health and social care employers across the UK who are committed to paying their workers the real Living Wage. These organisations employ over half a million people and, through their accreditation with the Living Wage Foundation, have uplifted the pay of over 50,000 low paid workers. Citizens UK and The Living Wage Foundation have led the campaign for a real Living Wage for Social Care, calling on the Government in England to ensure all social care workers are paid at least the real Living Wage for all hours worked, including in-work travel time and sleep-in shifts, by putting in place sufficient funding, delivery mechanisms and guidance for Local Authorities. Government in Scotland and Wales have committed to a real Living Wage for care workers, with Northern Ireland being the latest to join them although this is yet to be implemented. The real Living Wage is the only rate calculated based on what people need to live on. It currently stands at £12.60 (UK) and £13.85 (London). Nkem Okoli, a care worker and Citizens UK leader, said: “I went in to care because I am an empathetic person. I always try to put myself in other people’s shoes. I would love to see my passion for my work reflected in my pay. I have poured my heart and soul into my work, taking every opportunity to improve my skills; doing many overtime shifts to add to my income. Taking care of someone else’s family is rewarding, but I also need to take care of my own. A real living wage means I could spend more time with my children and feel less guilty. I could work the right number of hours and give my all to my job.” Brian Whittaker, People & OD Director for Brunelcare, said: “Six years ago, like most employers in the care sector, Brunelcare was struggling to recruit and retain teams operating over a range of care settings. We launched our People Strategy in 2020 covering a range of activities and initiatives seeking to improve our employee engagement. Core to this was our commitment to become a Real Living Wage employer. Since March 2020 our lowest paid colleagues have had a 46% pay increase. As a result of this and other improvements, our employee turnover is now around 20% (it was over 35%), our retention is now 80%+ (it was below 70%) and we have had less than 20 vacant positions at any stage in each of the last four months. In 2022 we had 150 vacancies across the charity. “Being a Real Living Wage employer is not a cost; it is an investment. Improvements in stability, productivity and less use of agency staff has delivered a significant improvement in our financial results across all areas plus we are now able to focus on ‘added value’ activities to aid retention rather than a relentless focus on recruitment. In our 2024 colleague survey, 84% of respondents would recommend Brunelcare as a good place to work.” Matthew Bolton, Executive Director of Citizens UK, said: “Care workers, like all workers, deserve to be paid at least the real Living Wage. The work they do is vital and skilled, yet so many care workers are being paid poverty wages that barely allow them to survive, let alone live. We know that it doesn’t have to be this way. “Whilst we’re calling on Government in England to ensure care workers are given the dignity of a real Living Wage, we’re also urging employers to do the right thing by accrediting with the Living Wage Foundation. Over 1000 health and social care employers have already made this commitment, and we know more businesses can step up and join them.” http://www.citizensuk.org/
NACC National Awards 2025.
To recognise and celebrate teams and individuals that go above and beyond in their field – from care homes to community services, such as Meals on Wheels and Lunch Clubs. The NACC National Awards 2025 are officially open for entries with a deadline of Monday 30th June 2025. The judges will be looking for examples of innovation, excellence and dedication that create tangible benefits for residents, clients and colleagues in the following categories: The shortlist will be announced in August, with the winners being honoured later in the year* at a gala awards dinner where the recipients of the Pam Rhodes Outstanding Achievement Award, sponsored by Winterhalter and the National Chair’s Award will also be revealed. The NACC Awards 2025 nomination brochure with full category details and entry requirements can be downloaded at https://bit.ly/NACCAwards25 Neel Radia, National Chair of the NACC, comments: “These awards are always about recognising excellence, innovation and dedication within care catering. Each year they represent a highlight of our year as we gather together to celebrate so many individuals and teams that have gone that extra mile throughout the last twelve months. “The NACC will continue to shine a light on the social care sector that is often undervalued. Everyone within our care has a right to receive good care which must include access to good nutrition and hydration as well as a safe environment in which to live. The current pressures on budgets continue to represent significant challenges in social care but our members, continue to rise above these challenges, through perseverance, dedication and with an innovative mindset. “The Training and Development Forum is the ideal place to showcase excellence, so I very much look forward to coming together with members, colleagues and friends at the NACC TDF and annual Gala Dinner of recognition on the 1st and 2nd October in Nottingham, where we share the exceptional achievements within our sector and the teams and individuals that encapsulate the very best of the best. I would encourage anyone and everyone to enter the NACC Awards 2025 and ensure that the hard work and brilliance of their team members does not go unrecognised.” Entry to the NACC National Awards is open to all members of the NACC. For more information about how to become a member visit www.thenacc.co.uk. * The Gala Dinner and Awards will be the climax of the NACC Training & Development Forum, 2nd October at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham.
