The official opening of the Willow Nursing Unit and the Aspen Memory Centre at Horkesley Manor

National award-winning Stow Healthcare opens new Nursing Unit and Memory Centre near Colchester, Essex

The team at Stow Healthcare has been celebrating the opening of the newly refurbished Willow Nursing Unit and the Aspen Memory Centre at Horkesley Manor near Colchester, Essex.

Since the acquisition of Horkesley Manor in October 2022, Stow Healthcare has significantly invested in the home, both externally, with the transformation of the home’s driveway and entrance creating more space for visitors, and internally with the refurbishment of bedrooms, bathrooms, and stunning communal spaces.

The most extensive renovation has been the introduction of the new Nursing Unit and Memory Centre which has expanded the care provision at the home.

The Willow Nursing Unit transforms a twenty-three-bed wing at the home into a new nursing facility which provides high-quality care, led by a team of highly skilled nurses. Stow Healthcare operates nursing homes in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex and is delighted to further expand this offering in Essex at Horkesley Manor.

Following the success of the Maple Memory Centre in Suffolk, Stow Healthcare is proud to expand its memory care offering in Essex with the Aspen Memory Centre at Horkesley Manor. Using Montessori principles for memory care, the Aspen Memory Centre supports independence and takes away the ‘clinical’ feel of a care home, which can cause anxiety in those living with memory loss.

Both units were officially opened on the 27th of June when staff, residents and their families were joined by industry professionals who gathered to celebrate the transformation at the home. Professor Deborah Sturdy, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care was invited to launch the Willow Nursing Unit and Aspen Memory Centre in an official ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Professor Deborah Sturdy, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care said of the event “It was a pleasure to visit Horkesley Manor as part of National Care Home Open Week to officially open the Nursing Unit and Memory Centre. It is great to see an organisation like Stow Healthcare wanting to be progressive in their care offering and this is evident in the quality and thoughtfulness of the refurbishment. Their philosophy of taking on failed homes and turning them around coupled with the dedication and commitment of the staff working in their services is a recipe for success.”

Stow Healthcare owners Roger Catchpole and Ruth French have been delighted to invest in the home. Operations Director Ruth French commented “When we bought Horkesley Manor in October, we couldn’t have anticipated the warmth and support we would receive from the residents, families and staff at this home. We have been able to take everyone forward with us on the journey at this home and there is a bright future ahead. We hope with continued investment and leadership, we can give the team and those who live here, a home they feel truly proud to live and work in.

Managing Director Roger Catchpole added We are delighted to announce the opening of the Aspen Memory Centre and the Willow Nursing Unit at Horkesley Manor Care Home. These two new services will add high-quality specialist care accommodation to Colchester. With the support of Essex County Council, NHS Suffolk and Northeast Essex ICB, the Care Quality Commission, and the local community, I am confident Horkesley Manor will become one of the best care homes in the area.”

A huge thank you also to all of staff, families, and visiting professionals who joined us.

For more information about Horkesley Manor and the Aspen Memory Centre please contact our Admissions Team at 0333 2419707 or email admissions@stowhealthcare.co.uk

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