Beryl feels Whittington House is the place for her!
Making the decision about moving into a care home or moving a loved one into a care home can be emotional and finding the right one for you or your family member can be difficult. Our teams are here to guide and help you every step of the way.
Beryl moved into Whittington House Nursing Home in Cheltenham ten months ago. Although Beryl had a full life meeting up with friends and family, a fall alone in her flat caused her and her family concern. They decided to look for a home where Beryl could retain her freedom, but have a sense of security and Whittington was the place!
At Whittington House, there’s something for everybody, from comfortable lounges to the bistro and a packed schedule of events and activities including arts and crafts and baking. Residents love regular trips out to Croft Farm Water Park and Cheltenham Racecourse. If they prefer to spend one-on-one time with a member of the team, they can read a book in a quiet nook or pop to the shops.
Whittington House has 66 bedrooms, each with a beautifully appointed ensuite bathroom. Several of the rooms have Juliette balconies or are garden rooms providing access to the delightfully landscaped gardens. It is a bright and happy care home, situated in the beautiful city of Cheltenham in Gloucestershire.
Beryl spent her early life in Bath, where she worked at an opticians, before getting married and having a family. She has one son, who lives in Poole and two daughters based in Gloucestershire. Four of her six grandchildren also reside in Gloucestershire, and she has an amazing thirteen great grandchildren! Beryl’s main love in life is her family. She enjoyed ballroom dancing, looking for antiques and shopping trips – some of which she can still enjoy at Whittington.
As part of one of the home’s activities, Beryl was asked if you could be a superhero, what would your name be and what powers would you have? Her response was “Lady of the Garden and my special power would be to create beautiful gardens for people to enjoy”.
What made you choose this home? Who made the decision?
“I was living alone in my flat, enjoying a full social life, but then after a fall, my family and I decided to look for a new home where I could retain my freedom, but at the same time, give my family, and myself a greater sense of safety and peace of mind.”
What was the moving in experience like?
For Beryl and her family the moving in went very smoothly, “Whittington House has been a great place for me to be independent and explore other interests like art, something I have always enjoyed since school. It is a wonderful place - a heaven before I get there. Staff are kind and attentive and I’m so pleased my family and I chose Whittington over a different care home”.
How are you settling in at Whittington House?
Beryl’s sense of humour, creativity and friendliness makes her the lively energy of the home. “I try to never miss an activity, as being active is the key to staying active. I enjoy drawing, as art was something I always enjoyed at school, playing scrabble, watching a good film or to just sit with a friend for a chat”. Beryl is great company and a positive and caring friend to other residents.
What advice would you give other care seekers and their families?
Beryl is one of those people who will break the silence with the question everybody is thinking about but does not want to ask! ‘I am a Christian, love my Church, mixing with all people, try to help others and am lucky to have a supportive family - look where they found for me, a heaven before heaven. This is such a peaceful place, who wouldn’t want to be here”.
