Landermeads Nursing Home, based in Chilwell in Nottingham, is a care home with a difference. Established in 1989, by Rob and Ros Heath, along with both sets of their parents, they are clearly very passionate about what they do and this shines very brightly in everything they do, within their philosophy of care, their fabulous team and the ‘family members’ they support.
It all started in 1986 when Ros and Rob announced to their parents that they would like to open a small family run nursing home in which the people who lived there received the highest possible support. A year later Rob’s parents, Phyl and Barry, had sold their house and moved into a caravan in the car park of a building site which was to become Landermeads, and Ros’ parents, Margaret and Derek, had placed their trust and financial support in the dream.
Ros’ godmother, Jane Lander, heard of their plans and asked if they would like to buy her house, The Meads, to make this happen. And so, in August 1989 Landermeads was born, its name a tribute to the support they received and a beautiful house which had been at the heart of Chilwell since 1711.
Today, Landermeads has developed into an outstanding rated care home with CQC, within the top 3% in the country, and has received countless accolades and awards, including being awarded at national level at 3 different awards ceremonies for their amazing and innovative dementia care.
And here at Hcsuk, we are very proud to have been working in partnership with Rob and Ros at Landermeads, as one of their principle suppliers of quality and fit for purpose product solutions for all of those 30 years.
Last Sunday saw Landermeads hold a very unique event, a music and beer festival, All Together Now, an event they host every year which is designed to bring together the whole community and this year with an added celebration of their 30th anniversary.
And we were absolutely delighted to be one of the main sponsors on the day, which allowed for all proceeds from sales of beer, food and other activities to go to Age UK.
Arriving at around 2:30 there was already a buzz in the air. Big Ian Donaghy was mine host for the day and got everyone involved including the family members who live at Landermeads. The event saw local bands performing including Footlights who are a local theatre school and Rock Choir, who both sang well known songs and had the audience dancing and singing along. Even Ian got up and did a few numbers.
I could even hear the music from my back garden 5 miles away!
A favourite moment of mine was the festival fashion show where Ian had three teams of six create an outfit from arts and crafts materials in 10 minutes, the audience then voted for their favourite.
There were both mocktails, a prosecco and beer van, along with ice creams and a barbecue and with the weather being so lovely, it was very well received and you can tell that this event isn’t just something that the residents enjoy, but adults and children alike.
Jay Heath, son of Rob and Ros, told me he was ‘bowled over by the 800 plus people who turned out to support and enjoy the day, including many old friends of Landermeads and relatives of loved ones who are sadly no longer with us.
All Together Now shows how Landermeads support their family members and helps their loved ones too, but also raises awareness for Dementia. Ian Donaghy who has authored two books around the subject and who created the hashtag, #Dementiaisateamgame is lively and the perfect hosts for an event like this.
We can’t wait for next year!
