Crawley care home opens beach-themed wellness room and retreat for residents

Residents and staff enjoyed a beach-themed afternoon at a care home in Crawley to mark the grand opening of a new wellness room.
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Burleys Beach Retreat was unveiled at Burleys Wood, which will serve as a wellness room where residents will be able to relax and be pampered.

Connected to the retreat is a new ocean-themed garden, complete with beach huts and a sailing dinghy planted with flowers.

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Together they will provide a safe and welcoming space for relaxation and pampering as well as a private space for visiting doctors and nurses to speak to residents and relatives.

From left to right: Service manager Erika Szalacsi; deputy manager Emma Peachey; Brian Baker from the Friends of Burleys Wood; COO Mike Smith; CFO Russell Brown; operations manager Clare Gibson; quality improvement manager Molly Maenzanise; and Tina Baker from the Friends of BurleysFrom left to right: Service manager Erika Szalacsi; deputy manager Emma Peachey; Brian Baker from the Friends of Burleys Wood; COO Mike Smith; CFO Russell Brown; operations manager Clare Gibson; quality improvement manager Molly Maenzanise; and Tina Baker from the Friends of Burleys
From left to right: Service manager Erika Szalacsi; deputy manager Emma Peachey; Brian Baker from the Friends of Burleys Wood; COO Mike Smith; CFO Russell Brown; operations manager Clare Gibson; quality improvement manager Molly Maenzanise; and Tina Baker from the Friends of Burleys

The new wellness room was funded by the Friends of Burleys Wood, alongside a grant from the Belron Ronnie Lubner Charitable Foundation.

The Friends of Burleys Wood was started by Brian and Tina Baker, whose mother Jean Lehec was a long term resident of the home until she sadly passed away earlier this year.

The couple have continued to provide welcome support to the home and were touched by the decision to name the sailing dinghy the Lady Lehec, in memory of Tina’s mother.

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It was a jam-packed afternoon with everyone tucking into candy floss, ice-creams and fish and chips.

The beach retreat at Burleys WoodThe beach retreat at Burleys Wood
The beach retreat at Burleys Wood

Residents and staff were also offered entertainment from local singer, Kate Bassett - bringing back wonderful memories for many residents as they recalled trips to the seaside when they were younger.

Guests included chief financial officer for Shaw, Russell Brown, and chief operating officer, Mike Smith who both presented certificates of recognition to the staff and gifts as a thank you following the impressive results of their ‘Quality of Life Audits’, which are carried out at the homes as part of Shaw’s internal inspection process.

Erika Szalacsi, manager at the home operated by Shaw Healthcare, said: "It was a wonderful afternoon enjoyed by both residents and staff - we certainly had the right weather for our event.

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"We can’t thank the Friends of Burleys Wood enough for their continued support here and now restrictions are easing we are looking forward to more events and welcoming more people to our lovely home.

Russell Brown, CFO for Shaw, and Louise Flowers, catering assistantRussell Brown, CFO for Shaw, and Louise Flowers, catering assistant
Russell Brown, CFO for Shaw, and Louise Flowers, catering assistant

"The team I have here are nothing short of amazing and have shown true commitment and dedication to providing first class care to our residents – I’m immensely proud.”

Burleys Wood provides residential and nursing care for up to 60 residents including those living with dementia.

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