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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

Ronald Clayton celebrated his 100th birthday on 23 April with a day filled with memories, family, and a few very special surprises.

At Eastside Gardens Care Home, where he now lives, staff organised a heartfelt celebration bringing together loved ones, friends, and fellow residents. The occasion was made even more meaningful by the presence of guests from Ronald’s military past, including members of the Royal Artillery and representatives from SSAFA, based at Fenham Barracks. Their attendance was a touching tribute to his service and lifelong connection to the Armed Forces.

A Life Shaped by Resilience

Born on 23 April 1926 in Walker, Newcastle, Ronald’s early life was marked by profound loss. He lost his mother at just two years old, and at 14, tragedy struck again when his father, a fireman in the Merchant Navy, died after HMS Hercules hit an unexploded German mine off the coast near Tynemouth.

Ronald was then taken in by his Auntie Anne and Uncle Jim, along with their four daughters, who welcomed him into their home and family, providing stability during an incredibly difficult time.

Service and Determination

Despite these hardships, Ronald showed determination from a young age. At just 16, he attempted to join the Army, only to be turned away and told he was too young. Undeterred, he kept trying until he was finally accepted into the Royal Fusiliers (Northumbria Unit). He went on to serve overseas in Egypt and Burma, an experience that remained an important and defining part of his life.

Family at the Heart of Everything

After the war, Ronald built a full and happy life. He and his wife Audrey had three children, and today his family has grown to include five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, who mean the world to him.

He worked for many years as a radial arm driller at Turnbulls in Byker, continuing until the age of 75, and even after retiring, he occasionally worked at Peacocks Medical Supplies.

Ronald and Audrey shared a love of dancing, from ballroom to rock and roll, enjoying many happy evenings at dance halls, as well as quieter moments playing dominoes together.

Today, Ronald is known as a gentle and quietly spoken resident who enjoys watching television, especially soaps and war films. While he may be modest about his experiences, his life tells a powerful story of resilience, service, and the importance of family.

His 100th birthday was not just a celebration of a remarkable milestone, but a reflection of a life well lived – one that continues to be cherished by everyone around him at Eastside Gardens.

At Eastside Gardens Care Home, we are privileged to be home to some truly remarkable individuals – each with a story worth celebrating. One of those is Molly Gillon, a 103-year-old war veteran whose extraordinary life has recently sparked a heartwarming connection across the Atlantic.

A Life of Courage and Service

During the Second World War, Molly played a vital role as a radar operator. Working through the darkness of wartime blackouts, she helped guide RAF pilots safely back to base – often in dangerous conditions, with enemy aircraft overhead. Her work demanded precision, resilience, and immense bravery.

Molly’s wartime journey took her to several locations, including Morecambe, Ouston, and RAF Northstead in Northumberland. Stationed deep underground, she was sometimes the final voice pilots heard before attempting to land – an experience that speaks volumes about the responsibility she carried at such a young age.

Her service was deeply personal too. Molly, one of 14 children, lost her brother Tom Conway during the war when his aircraft was shot down at just 23 years old. Determined to do her part, she joined the forces as soon as she turned 18.

A Story That Crossed the Ocean

Earlier this year, our team at Eastside Gardens organised a special celebration for Molly’s 103rd birthday, with members of the RAF joining us to mark the occasion. What followed was something truly unexpected.

Molly’s story travelled over 3,700 miles to Wisconsin in the United States, where it reached WW2 history enthusiast Melinda Heinritz. For nearly five years, Melinda has been dedicated to preserving the stories and memories of those who served during the war.

Moved by Molly’s experiences, Melinda wrote a heartfelt letter to her – a gesture that brought immense joy and surprise.

The Power of a Letter

In today’s digital world, receiving a handwritten letter is rare. But for Molly, it was a moment of genuine connection.

She was both surprised and delighted by Melinda’s words, and the impact was felt throughout our home. Seeing the happiness that a simple letter could bring inspired our team to think bigger.

Introducing Our Pen Pal Programme

At Eastside Gardens, we are now launching a pen pal initiative, inviting people from near and far to connect with our residents through letter writing.

This programme is about more than just correspondence – it’s about building meaningful relationships, sharing stories, and bridging generations and cultures.

As our Activities Coordinator shared, moments like these remind us how powerful human connection can be, no matter the distance.

Be Part of the Story

Melinda plans to continue her correspondence with Molly, joining a growing network of people around the world who are ensuring the stories of the wartime generation are never forgotten.

If you would like to take part in our pen pal programme and make a difference in someone’s day, we would love to hear from you.

Please contact us at: eastside.reception@lifestyle-care.co.uk

A couple of weeks ago, here at Eastside Gardens Care Home, we were incredibly proud to celebrate a truly remarkable milestone as one of our much-loved residents, Molly Gillon, turned 103.

We were delighted to welcome a very special squad of guests to join us, as serving members of the Royal Air Force attended Molly’s birthday celebration alongside her family, friends, and our team here at Eastside Gardens. RAF personnel presented Molly with her birthday cake as she shared memories of her incredible wartime service.

Molly played a vital role during the Second World War as an RAF radar operator, helping pilots returning to Northumberland from fighting the Luftwaffe safely find their way home during the wartime blackout. Working deep underground, Molly followed radar signals to detect enemy aircraft and obstacles, guiding RAF pilots to land safely in the dead of night — an essential and courageous contribution during a critical time in history.

As soon as she turned 18, Molly answered the call to serve. Alongside other young women, she reported to Newcastle Central Station before travelling to Wales for training. Over the following years, Molly was stationed at Morecambe in Lancashire, Ouston in County Durham, and finally RAF Northstead in Northumberland, now known as HMP Acklington.

While stationed in the North East, Molly attended a dance at The Junction Inn in Morpeth, where she met her future husband, George (Geordie) Gillon. After welcoming their first two children, the family returned home to Tyneside, where they had two more children. Although George sadly passed away at the age of just 47, Molly remained surrounded by the love of her growing family and is now a proud great-grandmother.

We feel hugely privileged to know and care for Molly here at Eastside Gardens. She is a truly lovely lady and an inspiration to us all, and we were honoured that her friends, family, and the RAF joined us to celebrate this very special 103rd birthday.

It was a wonderful occasion for everyone involved as we came together to celebrate Molly’s incredible life and service. 🎂✈️

We have officially launched a new partnership with Veterans for Veterans in Care – a charity dedicated to supporting former servicemen and women living in care homes across the region. The event we recently hosted at one of our homes was more than symbolic: it marked the beginning of a year-long fundraising campaign aimed at honouring and supporting those who once served their country.

A proud group of former Army and Navy personnel arrived at the home to help kick off the initiative. Their presence set the tone for what this collaboration is truly about: connection, recognition, and ensuring that no veteran is left feeling forgotten.

We have committed to placing collection boxes in all 19 of our care homes across both Lifestyle Care & Prestwick Care. These boxes will be open for donations from staff, residents, visitors, and the wider community, and at the end of the 12-month campaign, Prestwick Care & Lifestyle Care will match every pound raised.

It’s a commitment that speaks volumes, and one that comes at a time when the need is significant. According to the 2021 census, more than 26,000 armed forces veterans currently live in care homes in England and Wales. Many of them are at risk of losing the sense of camaraderie and belonging they had in the Forces, something Veterans for Veterans in Care aims to rebuild.

Lee Moore, who served with the Royal Pioneer Corps and is now an active member of the charity, captured this perfectly. “They are our forgotten army,” he said. He explained how the transition into a care home can sometimes lead to veterans feeling disconnected from the family-like bonds they once had. “It can be hard for them if they have no one to share their memories with who really knows and understands what they went through, the good times and the bad and that is where we come in.”

Supporting this work was an easy and heartfelt decision. CEO Bunty Malhotra described it simply as “a privilege” to care for those who served. “Our care homes are at the very heart of their communities, communities these men and women served to preserve,” he said. “We hope those communities will get behind our campaign and help us make a real difference.”

With the launch now underway, the next 12 months will be an opportunity for people across the North East to show their appreciation for the veterans who once dedicated their lives to protecting others. Whether through a small donation or spreading the word, every gesture will help strengthen the support network for veterans in care.