Perfect party for home’s landmark anniversary

PINEWOOD Residential Home, a Maria Mallaband Care Home Group home located just outside St Helier, has celebrated three decades of service to the community with a big birthday party and a week of thank you events, with more than 100 people taking part.

The 48-bed residential home pulled out all the stops in honour of the special milestone, with an abundance of decorations, balloons and bunting, and an anniversary party.

This event saw those living in the home gather with their relatives, as well as current and some former members of staff, for a buffet lunch and live music from a local musician.

Care home lifestyle coordinator Ioana Adler said: “It’s not every day you get to celebrate turning 30, so we were determined to make this an occasion to remember.

“I am so grateful for all those that took part and made it so special –everyone living here at Pinewood with us had the most wonderful time.

“It gave us an opportunity to look back at many good times, to show our appreciation to everyone who has worked with us, supported us, and been part of the life of the home, and to look ahead too.

“We are so proud of the service we’ve provided to this community for three decades, and that we hope to continue offering the best possible care environment for many decades to come.”

Visitors to the home have been able to look over a photo archive display, with photos stretching back to the home’s grand opening event in 1993, as well as other anniversaries and special events along the way.

There was also an abundant display of some of the many thank you cards received by the home and its team over the years.

The week of the anniversary was devoted to thanking the community, with coffee and cake stations set up at the entrance to the home every day to welcome all visitors. Over the course of the celebrations some 100 visitors, residents and staff took part.

Anchor is a member of Inclusive Employers, which provides expert advice and support to workplaces who are committed to inclusion and accredits those meeting the Inclusive Employers Standard.

The housing and care provider is only the third organisation that Inclusive Employers works with to achieve Gold status.

Sarah Jones, chief executive at Anchor, said: “While we know there’s always more we can do, we’re absolutely delighted to have achieved Gold accreditation from Inclusive Employers, recognising us as among the best employers in the UK when it comes to equality, diversity and inclusion.

“For us to have done this only 18 months since we achieved Silver is a mark of the hard work and firm commitment of so many across the organisation to inclusion in the workplace.”

Anchor works with residents and colleagues to ensure inclusion is part of their everyday approach and has been focused on creating a workplace where all colleagues can thrive.

The operator has given particular effort on embedding its inclusion practices by ensuring leaders and colleagues understand how the whole organisation is responsible for making diversity and inclusion an everyday reality.

Anchor has also utilised the many resources and practices it has to further inclusion within the organisation.

Teagan Robinson-Bell, equality, diversity and inclusion manager at Anchor, added: “It’s incredible to work for an organisation that not only cares about its colleagues and residents but shows a willingness to improve and embed a culture of inclusion.

“I am thrilled to see Anchor’s progress to Gold after being awarded Silver 18 months ago.

“It really demonstrates the organisation’s ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion.

“We’re the first provider of care and housing to be awarded Gold and I’ve really enjoyed watching our colleagues drive our diversity and inclusion agenda within their teams too.

“We’re dedicated to being a truly diverse and inclusive organisation, and this award recognises that commitment.”