Blythgate Manor welcomed residents, families, friends and members of the local community for its much-anticipated annual Summer Fair on 28th July, enjoying a day packed with fun, laughter and fundraising.

Thanks to the incredible support of everyone who attended, the event raised more than £400 for the home’s Residents’ Fund. The money will go directly towards enriching residents’ lives through future activities, special events and memorable day trips.

The gardens were transformed into a vibrant summer fair, with a fantastic selection of activities that kept guests of all ages entertained throughout the afternoon. Visitors tried their hand at inflatable giant darts, hook-a-duck and tin can alley, while younger guests had plenty of fun on the bouncy castle. Alongside the ever-popular candyfloss machine, these attractions helped create a true fairground atmosphere.

A special thank you goes to The Northern Entertainment Co., who generously donated the bouncy castle, inflatable darts, hook-a-duck, tin can alley and candyfloss machine, helping to make the day extra special for everyone who attended.

There was no shortage of delicious treats on offer either. Guests tucked into freshly cooked burgers and hotdogs from the BBQ, alongside freshly made popcorn, fluffy candyfloss, pick-and-mix sweets and the ever-popular viral dot cakes, ensuring there was something to satisfy every sweet tooth.

The afternoon was made even more memorable with a fantastic live musical performance from Katie Cowie, whose lively entertainment had residents, staff, families and friends singing along, dancing and making the most of the beautiful summer sunshine. The music created a wonderful atmosphere and brought everyone together in celebration.

Events like the Summer Fair are an important part of life at Blythgate Manor, encouraging social connection, creating joyful experiences and strengthening the close-knit community within the home. They provide valuable opportunities for residents to spend quality time with loved ones while welcoming the wider community into the home.

A huge thank you goes to everyone who attended, volunteered and helped make this year’s Summer Fair such a wonderful success. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity shown by our supporters, including The Northern Entertainment Co., and for everyone who contributed to raising over £400 for the Residents’ Fund. We look forward to using the funds to create even more memorable activities, events and day trips for our residents in the future.

A transformed Wallsend nursing home has now been rated outstanding following an inspection by the regulator, Care Quality Commission (CQC).

When Eastside Gardens – formerly Howdon Care Centre – was last inspected in 2023, under its previous ownership, they rated it as requiring improvement.

But, in its first inspection since the home was taken over and operated by leading provider Prestwick Care, it has been given the highest possible accolade and declared, outstanding.

This is the first time in the North East a nursing home, rated as requiring improvement, has been subsequently rated outstanding in a single follow up inspection.

Eastside Gardens provides accommodation, nursing and personal care to up to 90 people, some of whom have dementia or nursing needs and it achieved its new status for its exceptionally high levels of care, responsiveness and leadership.

Inspectors found the home was well equipped to deliver high quality care, with personalised and adapted facilities and aids for people, staff were well trained and leaders had an open culture focused on driving quality and improving people’s experience of care.

Alison Chilton, CQC’s deputy director of adult social care in the North East, said: “We found an exceptional service which was incredibly welcoming and homely, where people were cared for by highly skilled staff.

“Care at the service was exemplary. It was clear that people were respected and valued as individuals and were directly involved in planning and reviewing their care.

Staff planned person-centred activities with remarkable attention to detail around people’s needs and preferences, which improved their wellbeing.

“And it was lovely to see how people had personalised their bedrooms, which were designed to meet their needs.

“Overall, staff and leaders should be incredibly proud of the culture they have created to ensure people get the very best care outcomes and certainly deserve the hugely positive feedback we received from people and their relatives.” 

Prestwick Care, which operates 20 care homes in the North East, is part of Malhotra Group Plc and CEO Bunty Malhotra said: “We are delighted to have been declared outstanding at our very first inspection since taking over Eastside Gardens.

“It is only appropriate that the staff and management receive the recognition they deserve for their dedication, hard work and commitment but, most of all, for their care.

“Significant investment has been made by the Group in restructuring the home, which has resulted in a complete transformation and sincere thanks for this must also go to our project and design team.”

Another home in the Prestwick Care portfolio, Blythgate Manor, at Blyth, was also awarded outstanding in care earlier this year.

To make an appointment to visit Eastside Gardens or for further information, visit eastside.reception@lifestyle-care.co.uk