Live music, afternoon tea and honest conversations about life in a care home took centre stage as The Manor Care Home with Nursing on Church Road, Old Windsor, welcomed residents, families and the local community to its annual midsummer party.
The home’s garden was transformed into a magical setting inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, complete with butterflies, bubbles and family-friendly entertainment.
Guests included local councillor and residents’ association leader Lynn Jones, while visitors enjoyed afternoon tea, children’s activities, live music and a raffle as they celebrated alongside residents.
The event also provided one of the first opportunities to showcase The Manor following the completion of refurbishment works. The project included improvements to most of the home’s bedrooms and all communal areas, alongside enhancements to the gardens, including new paving, landscaped beds and shrubs, a gazebo and comfortable seating areas for residents, families and community events.
During the afternoon, 87-year-old resident Yvonne (Eve), who has lived at The Manor for more than a year, joined Family Liaison Manager Conor Leahy at the Get Care Wise stall. She chatted with visitors, answered questions about life at the home and shared her own experiences of living in a care home.
Eve said:
“Before I moved here, I honestly wasn’t sure I’d like living in a care home, but I really do. What surprised me most is how caring everyone is. Bernard, one of the staff, and all the carers have been wonderful. It’s a lovely place to live.”
Kester Fraser, Home Manager at The Manor, a leading not-for-profit care home in Windsor run by the charity Greensleeves Care, said:
“It was wonderful to bring everyone together for a special afternoon that celebrated the rich and fulfilling lives residents enjoy while strengthening our connections with the local community.
“Eve was a fantastic ambassador for the event and really enjoyed talking to visitors and sharing her own experiences. Hearing first-hand from someone who lives in a care home is often the best way to understand what life is really like and to challenge some of the common assumptions people may have.
“Many people don’t start thinking about care until a crisis forces them to, and our research found that many wished they had received more information and support when navigating care decisions. Events like this give people the chance to ask questions, look around and have conversations in a relaxed setting. They also encourage families to explore their options before care is needed, which can make future decisions feel far less daunting.”
Free Get Care Wise guides and practical information about choosing and funding care are available at the Get Care Wise hub page.