News & blogs of St Monica Trust

News and Blog

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Nurses in the spotlight

To celebrate nurses, we are shining the spotlight on two very special women who are nurses from different generations - Jill Cownie, a resident at the Westbury Fields Retirement Village, and Emily Pimm, the Social Care Deputy Manager at John Wills House care home.

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Margaret, Ann or mum?

When Stephen last saw the lady standing in front him, she was “Margaret”. Now she’s “Ann”. What he’d like to know most is, can he call her “mum?”.

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Fishing with Fran

What can you do if you see a colleague struggling at work? Our Media Officer, Ben Jailler took one of the Trust's Care Home Managers for some fly fishing therapy and wrote a magazine article about their experience.

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What age can I move into a retirement village?

How old do you have to be to move into a retirement village? Our main answer - whenever you're ready. Moving into a retirement village comes with many benefits, and the sooner you make the move, the sooner you can begin to enjoy your new lifestyle. We are here to support you every step of the way.

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The Benefits of Intergenerational Friendships

The St Monica Trust is backing National Intergenerational Week in its second year. This national awareness campaign intends to highlight the benefits of multi-generational friendships and encourage intergenerational activity.

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A Second Chance: Nigel’s Story

Nigel was transferred to the Garden House care home in Westbury-on-Trym in March last year for palliative care. Now, he has left the care home with a second lease of life thanks to his determination and the support of the nurses and carers that cared for him during his stay.

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Understanding care: a handy guide to care types

Residential care, respite care, nursing care – what’s the difference? With so many variations when it comes to the types of care on offer in care homes, it’s helpful to understand what each of these terms mean if you’re beginning your search.

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What is a retirement village?

The term retirement village can be quite confusing - what exactly does it mean? Here we explain what to expect from retirement villages and give you some helpful information to begin your search.

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The Rainbow Letter Project: Intergenerational Penpals

When Chloe returned from university to live with family in Bristol during lockdown she decided she would do something to help those living alone. Cue: The Rainbow Letter Project, a new initiative helping primary school students stay in touch with residents in one of our retirement communities.

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Celebrating Volunteers' Week - with Jane Langley

Usually carrying out up to 100 visits to older people in our communities every week, our team of volunteers is a huge force for good at the St Monica Trust. Over the last few weeks, they have continued to go above and beyond while replacing visits with phone calls, letter writing and more. Volunteer Coordinator Jane Langely shares more about the role carried out by these very important people.

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From 5 star hotels to retirement homes

The worlds of 5 star hotels and retirement homes might seem miles apart. Roger Hayward, general manager at The Chocolate Quarter retirement village in Keynsham near Bristol, shares how the new development is using lessons hotels and holidays to the benefit of its residents.

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9 Tips for a Low Maintenance Garden in Retirement

From the plants you choose to tools and technology, there are plenty of simple ways to create a low-maintenance garden in retirement. Here Andy Gore, a gardener at Westbury Fields retirement village in Bristol, shares his top tips.

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Exercising as an Older Adult - with Lee Scott

Retirement community gym manager Lee Scott shares a beginner's guide to exercising as an older adult. Lee helps us navigate the growing number of age-friendly exercise types available on our doorsteps to find the best one for you.

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Things to do in Keynsham: A handy community guide

There’s certainly no shortage of things to do in Keynsham, the historic market town between Bristol and Bath. 18 months on from opening The Chocolate Quarter, our retirement village come community space, here are our favourites so far.

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5 Helpful Tips when Planning a Retirement Move

From downsizing and decluttering to locations and looking to the future, moving home in retirement can sometimes feel quite overwhelming. As our residents have all been through the process we asked them for their top tips when planning a retirement move. Here's what they had to say...

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A Teacher Never Fully Retires - Esme's Story

"I'm a very crafty person. I'm not very clever, but I'm clever with my hands", retired home economics teacher Esme says as the afternoon sun fills the front room of her home. We pay her a visit to chat about her busy life at Westbury Fields retirement village and leave having learned a lesson or two of our own.

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The Road to Outstanding Podcast - with David Williams

Chief Executive at St Monica Trust, David Williams, shares his story, lessons on intergenerational activities and the journey behind our involvement with Channel 4 programme "Old People's Home for 4 Year Olds" in this episode of The Road to Outstanding podcast.

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Breaking Through The Glass Wall: Douglas's Story

“Some people think there’s a kind of glass wall around this place, like they need to stay away because it’s full of ‘old people’.” Douglas, a resident at Sandford Station retirement village in North Somerset, tells us how a railway heritage centre at the heart of the village is helping break down barriers and is welcoming in the wider community.

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Changing Somebody's Day - with Domenica Hall

Domenica does something truly extraordinary. Through a programme of film clubs and food events, computer classes and crafts, she brings the older people at Westbury Fields retirement village together in community, reduces loneliness and changes somebody’s day for the better. She shares the what and why of her role as Community Engagement Coordinator.

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Meeting for Coffee: Jeffery and Anne's Story

Jeffery was lonely. With few local connections and feeling detached from his community, he wanted some help to build his confidence. Anne, a volunteer for our ACE Neighbours project, was just the person for the job. Here's how six months together benefited both of their lives.

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Sharing the Same Space - with Jo Bird

“The minute I let my hair go grey I became invisible”, Jo’s friend told her. As Community Engagement Coordinator at The Chocolate Quarter, she shares how the retirement village is challenging preconceptions of ageing and bringing people closer together.

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Cricket in the Community: Keith's Story

As we enter the cricket season we speak to Keith and Christine, residents at our Westbury Fields retirement village, about a lifelong passion for the sport and how they found a community within a community with Bishopston Cricket Club, whose main grounds sit at the centre of the village.

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Ace Neighbours: Roger and Jos's story

After his wife passed away Roger found it difficult to get involved in life outside his home. That's when he met Jos, a volunteer for the ACE Neighbours project, and formed a special bond that would change both of their lives.

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Acts of Kindness: Jill's Story

Ahead of Random Acts of Kindness Day we caught up with Jill Cownie, a resident at our Westbury Fields retirement village, for a chat about her story and the extra care she takes to welcome new members of the community.

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A Year at The Chocolate Quarter: Michael and Carole's Story

A little over a year since The Chocolate Quarter opened its doors, we caught up with the very first residents to reserve an apartment in the now award-winning retirement community. Together they share highlights from their first year, their reasons for choosing TCQ and some helpful tips on downsizing.

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Welcome to the Art and Pottery Studio - with Joe Tymkow

Open to residents and the public alike, The Chocolate Quarter Art and Pottery Studio is one of the things that makes the Keynsham retirement village quite unique. Here, Artist in Residence Joe Tymkow shares some of his story and how he's using it to inspire creativity in people of all ages.

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MUD, glorious MUD!

Trust's Learning and Development team takes gold for its MUD training programme at the Training Journal Awards.

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The Power of a Shed - with Sam Pycroft

It’s the small things that make a house a home. Retirement Community Manager Sam Pycroft explains how the addition of a new garden shed has brought the Sandford Station community together and spurred on some unexpected creative projects.

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The Unknown Gardens of Bristol - with Kirsty Frampton

As autumn rolls on many of us have been venturing outdoors to explore the best gardens the South West has to offer. We spoke to St Monica Trust Gardens Lead Kirsty Frampton about the little known gardens on site at each of the Trust’s 5 retirement communities, in Bristol and North Somerset, and the huge difference they make to residents.

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My Allotment and Me: Val's Story

We spoke with Val Stokes, resident at our Sandford Station retirement village, about her raised allotment beds, the benefits of an active lifestyle at 95 and top tips for first-time gardeners.

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54 steps

An internationally renowned artist is holding an exhibition of his work at The Chocolate Quarter thanks to the support of Charterhouse's care team and volunteers.

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Trust sponsors Mini Cheddars

Cheddar Valley Rugby Club Mini and Junior Players celebrated their annual, end of season Festival of Rugby wearing a brand new kit sponsored by the St Monica Trust.

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Friends reunited!

Watch the Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds Christmas Special on Channel 4, Monday 18 December at 9.00pm!

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High five!

Trust’s care services scoop five awards at Care and Support West ceremony.

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Trust’s chefs serve medieval menu

Take two St Monica Trust’s chefs, a specialist in historical dining, add a recipe that is over six hundred years old and serve together for a fundraising lunch in support of a good cause.

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You’ve been framed

Physiotherapists at the Trust’s Cote Lane retirement community have donated a van load of unwanted walking frames to a local charity that helps amputees in Africa.

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United we care

Following the announcement that the United Kingdom will leave the EU, we would like to give reassurance that everyone is valued at St Monica Trust.

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