Help me make our care home a big part of the community

The new manager of Kirkley Manor, in Kirkley Park Road, Lowestoft, aims to make the Kingsley Healthcare-run nursing home a big part of the community.
To introduce herself and her ideas, Helen Jackson is hosting a community coffee morning at the home from 10.30am to noon, on Thursday, January 26.
As well as providing an opportunity for families to come along and discuss their care needs, she also hopes to meet local people of all ages interested in forging links.
Ms. Jackson trained as a nurse in the Army and worked in a hospital before moving into social care and discovering that she loved it.
During her 15-year career, she has enjoyed success managing care homes in Norwich and Wroxham and won two Norfolk Care Awards for motivational leadership and nursing in social care.
She said: “I am keen to organise inter-generational visits with local childminder groups and build relations with local schools and churches.
“One of my previous homes became a meeting place for the local Royal British Legion branch. “Having a lively mix of people visiting the home enhances residents’ lives and is fun for the staff.”
Making care homes an active part of the community was an important element of supporting residents to live well, she added.
Find out more about Kirkley Manor nursing home
Author: Stephen Pullinger