St Luke’s celebrates National Care Home Open Day

St Lukes Specialist Dementia Care Home in Runcorn held a celebration for National Care Home Open Day on Friday, where it welcomed former St Helens and Widnes Vikings star John Stankevitch as a special guest.

St Luke’s is a specialist dementia care home in Palacefields, Runcorn, which supports 60 people with dementia. The home has been celebrated nationally and internationally for its pioneering approach to dementia care, and it’s partnership with NHS Halton CCG and Halton Borough Council. It was recognised earlier this year at the prestigious Skills for Care Accolades.

The home held a special garden party for National Care Home Open Day, a national campaign to encourage the community to interact with and support care homes. It was visited by many family members and local people, who enjoyed a BBQ and live music from local singer Cath Boden.  

Super League and World Club Challenge winner John Stankevitch visited the home, meeting people supported at the home and their families, sharing his memories of playing for and supporting Widnes Vikings, and highlights from his career. He attended the home representing the Cath Stankevitch Foundation, which he has set up in honour of his mother to give back to the local community.

John’s visit supports a host of rugby league related activity that take place in the home. Community Integrated Care has formed a unique partnership with Widnes Vikings, which includes fortnightly visits by the club’s community team and former players to St Luke’s for activity and reminiscence sessions.

Adrienne Radcliffe, Manager of St Luke’s Care Home, says: “At St Luke’s we are always up for having a party and welcoming the local community to our home, so we were delighted to host a special event for National Care Home Open Day. It was wonderful to see so many people we support and their loved ones enjoying the day. It was a real honour to be visited by John Stankevitch too, who generously gave his time to everyone and shared his rugby memories.”

John Stankevitch said, “I was delighted to visit St Luke’s for National Care Home Open Day – it’s a fantastic home and it’s obvious that the people living there have a great time. I met some Widnes Vikings fans who have special memories of the club– it was nice to speak to them and reminisce together. National Care Home Open Day is a fantastic opportunity for the public to see the great work that goes on in care homes every day, and I was pleased to support Community Integrated Care with their efforts.”