We Welcome Bootle MP!

Bootle MP Peter Dowd today paid a very special visit to two of our care homes – an event which also has launched a brand new campaign, #MPForTea.

Green Heys and Kemp Lodge Care Homes in Waterloo, Merseyside, collectively support 82 people with age-related needs, including dementia.

Peter was given a guided tour of the services this morning (Friday 23^rd October) by our Chief Executive Neil Matthewman, and Director of Operations John Heritage. Beginning his visit at Kemp Lodge, Peter was welcomed by Service Manager, Collette Gough, who told him all about the home, and its staff and residents.

Mr Dowd was introduced to some incredible people, including Kemp Lodge’s Cook – the aptly-named Carol Baker. She shared with him her leading approach to high quality nutrition and hydration for residents. He then met the remarkable Peggy, who will soon be celebrating her 102^nd birthday – who enjoyed reminiscing about the history of their local area with him. Peggy became a published poet in her late 80s, and had her work featured regularly in publications until her mid-90s.

Peter then visited Green Heys Care Home, where he was met by Service Manager Debbie Higgins, and Paul Cummins, Local Councillor and Cabinet Member, Adult Social Care at Sefton Council. Debbie spoke in-depth about Green Heys’ specialist End of Life Care, which led to it becoming the first Care Home in Sefton to receive the Gold Standard Framework Quality Hallmark Award.

At Green Heys, Peter was introduced to 102 year old resident Lenny – who shared his secrets for keeping young; and trainee Mental Health Nurse Kirsten, who remarked how much she was enjoying her placement at Green Heys.

This special event also sees the launch of Community Integrated Care’s brand new campaign, #MPForTea – which calls upon Care Homes to challenge their own standards for nutrition and hydration for residents by inviting their local MP to join them for a Tea Party!

Speaking of his visit, Peter Dowd MP says: “I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Green Heys and Kemp Lodge, I really get the impression of vivacious and bright staff – with lots of things going on yet very calm at the same time.

It was really impressive in terms of the whole ambience – I really appreciate being asked to visit for such a productive and positive day.”

Community Integrated Care’s Director of Operations, John Heritage: “It is our pleasure to welcome Peter today, and show him some of the great work that goes on in our Sefton services.

As someone who understands the difference that care homes such as Kemp Lodge and Green Heys make to local communities, it is an honour to hear Peter commend the teams here, who really do provide excellent care and support.”