Leawood Manor Care Home in Hilton Crescent saw work begin on a much needed extension to its existing premises last month, and there to lay the first brick and oversee things were Betty Chambers and John Howick who are two of the homes current residents.
Wellbeing Lead, Tracey Edson, told West Bridgford Local News: “We thought it would be a lovely idea to have our residents involved at the start of the project, so we asked Betty, our longest serving resident, and John if they would do us the honour of laying the first brick and being present to mark the beginning of this new chapter for the home”.
Betty, along with staff from the home, watched on as John very ably set about cementing the first brick into place. John, a farmers son and one time tractor driver, has taken a keen interest in the work being undertaken as his room directly overlooks the site where the work is taking place. He also has a huge interest in mechanical machinery, so it was something of a dream come true when site staff let him sit at the controls of one of the JCB diggers on site.
The manager of the home, Zimran Alam, told us: “Due to the high demand for places that we were receiving, we spoke to our head office team who gave us the go ahead to set the wheels in motion for the extension. I am delighted that our plans are now becoming a reality. The development will be over two floors and will give us a total of eight additional rooms, with the rooms on the ground floor giving direct access to a garden area”.
It is hoped that the work will be completed in the spring and new residents can start moving in during April 2020.
Pictured are staff members Ian Hind, Tracey Edson and Zimran Alan along with the guests of honour Betty Chambers and John Howick