Millennium Care celebrate the opening of their latest location at Worthing Lake in Standish.

Worthington Lake Care Home opened its doors with a 1940’s style street party which took place at the award-winning home grounds.

There were displays of military and emergency vehicles from the era which filled the car park, 1940’s style live entertainment – music, dancing, afternoon tea and re-enactors among the celebrations.

Throughout the home visitors could find displays of vintage items and clothing from WW2 with the original stories behind them.

There is no denying the world has changed dramatically over the last eight decades and some of the Millennium Care home residents who have seen it all came along to the opening from care homes across Lancashire.

Residents thoroughly enjoyed stepping back in time which brought back memories from their childhood and even their 20’s and 30’s in some cases.

For Mary Bell who travelled to the opening from Lavender Hills care home in Ramsbottom, the open day took her back to the days her husband was in WW2 servicing aircraft for Lancaster bombers while she was at home looking after her then 5 children which was a difficult task using a ration book, Mary turns 101 this summer.

Throughout the day there were many fun opportunities including the chance to sit inside one of the original vehicles from the 1940’s including many war time military vehicles.

On the tables, which are laid with pretty tablecloths included stands full of fresh mini Victoria sponges, Scones, Pork pies and many more afternoon tea treats which were on offer throughout the day to visitors to enjoy whilst listening to the 1940’s band with a celebratory glass of champagne in hand.

Other tables included displays of original war time produce with ration books, war time weapons and tin hats with educational talks which proved fascinating and not just for the children.

Visitors from the Wigan community were able to come together in support of the new and unique Dementia care home and sing along with wartime songs while enjoying the re-enactors from MVT the Military Vehicles Trust.

The red ribbon was cut by Secretaries from MVT Angela and Alan who talked about the importance of Dementia care and that Worthington Lake is a very exciting new model of care that will allow people who live with Dementia be able to flourish and not lose their independence, they praised the homes ethos and Millennium care thanked the trust for their support in the open day by presenting MVT with a giant cheque for the sum of £500.

Emily Fitzsimmons HR Generalist for Millennium care said:

“Culture of care is important for me and we have designed a new and revolutionary staffing model and structure for Worthington Lake that provides our team with learning a wide and new set of skills to create a truly person centred experience at the home. Worthington Lake will be one of the first homes in the UK that has a unique and innovative approach to our staff team that I look forward to seeing will make a positive and life enhancening imact on the careers for my team and also our residents”.

Worthington Lake is dementia care with a difference, There is strong focus on the environmental design from an academic perspective and it is aimed to fuse this with a non-institutional staffing and care model to create a truly unique care home which allows people with dementia to retain independence.

Ann Sheward Home Manager said:

‘I am extremely grateful for the involvement of the Wigan and Standish community in joining myself and my team in celebrating the opening of Worthington Lake. It was a pleasure showing our guests and visitors on the day the award winning work that we have done with Stirling University in making the environment a therapeutic and empowering place for our residents and also celebrating this occasion with my team and new recruits. I have been passionate about dementia care for decades an am extremely excited to lead on such a highly innovative facility for Standish and Wigan’

Visitors also included Liam Bryne from Wigan Warriors who posed with residents who have been lifelong fans of the rugby club which made the day even more special for many.

Alice Carter, a visitor from the local community said:

“What a fantastic day filled with community spirit! The atmosphere created by the 40s band, war time vehicles and memorabilia was like travelling back in time. We started as we mean to go on, the home full of life, laughter and good times!”

Worthington Lake care home is now open for business.

For enquires please contact Ann at ann@millennium-care.co.uk or call 01706 285 221 www.worthingtonlake.co.uk

Worthington Lake, Chorley Road, Worthington, Standish, Wigan, WN1 2XN