We have been hard at work creating lovely trinkets to sell at our coffee morning in a few weeks time. We've used our first batch of pressed flowers and rolled them into our clay shapes, we think you'll agree they look very beautiful and original!

Many thanks to the Otterton Flower Festival Committee for inviting us to attend their planning meeting. The Residents of the Old Vicarage will be decorating the north door entrance to the church this year and our theme will be 'Mid-summers day'. It is really heartening to see the church having such a multi-cultural theme, with arrangements such as: Diwali,  Hindu temple, Japanese tea ceremony and Jewish 'apple and honey' for Rosh Hashanah. It shounld be a lovely festival this year, as well as the wonderful flower arrangements there will be an art exhibition, books and plants for sale and refreshments, all in aid of the local church. Any ideas (or props) out there for our theme this year, please do let us know. 

A big thank you to our visiting band 'Rough Music' who were absolutely brilliant. they hand us toe tapping the whole way through. Next time we will get a video so you can hear how good they were. We can't wait for the next concert.

What better way to spend the day? Enjoying great company in the garden, under a parasol with a tray of tea and a great big peice of chocolate cake. Paradise!

Our lovely staff attended their 'Dignity and Respect' training today. We are now 'Dignity Champions' so we will go and share what we have learnt with the rest of the world and spread the love!

Yesterday we received a thank-you letter which has left not a dry eye in the home. Here is an excerpt (edited to maintain confidentiality):

“Dear Patricia, Michael, Rebecca, Mark and the team,
I have not really written to you and the team properly to thank you for the absolutely immaculate care that you gave to [name] while he lived with you.
I am a nurse myself and know only too well how hard it is to give good care to the elderly, trying to balance a desire for quality care with the resources available.
From the moment he came into contact with you, he received such a warm and loving welcome. We were a little sceptical of his sudden decision to move into a ‘care home’ when he was so physically fit, but as soon as he moved it was clear that he had made absolutely the right decision.
Really his first months with you were more like a hotel stay. He kept his car, and went out to walk and paint, returning when he wished. The burden of cooking and cleaning was lifted, and he also loved sitting down with a cup of tea or coffee, with wonderful homemade biscuits and cakes. Above all it was the companionship and warmth which he found in the staff which enriched his life. Honestly we just could not fault your care. He was charmed from the start by the loving way in which he was treated. All staff, including managers, nurses, care assistants, cleaners and cooks (he adored Nigel) were just so nice to him.
As he became less well he relied on you increasingly for care, and you made that transition from minimal care to more intensive support so seamlessly. I often say to students: “It takes a lot of hard work under the surface to look this relaxed” – you know the old swan principle (paddling below the water whilst serene above water etc.) Well you guys just exemplify this: always ALWAYS when we visited everyone just seemed like they were really enjoying a relaxed day at work when we all know that you had lots of pressures, including a whole range of clients with different dependencies, and that is far from easy.
We just cannot thank you enough for the wonderful care you gave to him. At his funeral (so thoughtfully attended by several staff members) I recounted the time I had said to him “The staff here are like family”. He had replied. “They are more than family”. He did not mean this to be upsetting to his family and we took no offence because we could see what he was trying to say.
Truly you have made a home in every sense of the word. I have read your leaflet which describes the philosophy of your care. Well I have worked for many organisations and I know how easy it is to trot out one of those mission statements, then fail to live up to the promise. You have more than lived up to yours.
Once again all I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you.
I wish you well in your wonderful work. My abiding wish is that is any of you ever need care when you too are elderly, then you are able to receive the kind of care you have given to your clients. You deserve it.
Bless you all! You are angels!”
Letter written 14th May 2018.
 
Have ever thought about saying thank you to a carer, doctor, nurse, paramedic or some-one that has had an impact on your life or the people you love?
For us, it’s not about money or gifts. It's the thank-you letter, written from the heart, that makes everything we do worthwhile.
So a big thank you from all of us at The Old Vicarage, to all those people over the years that have taken the time to write to us and say thank you. It means so much. 

We can't wait to watch Harry and Meghan walk down the aisle tomorrow! We have spent the morning flower arranging and the party preparations are complete, looking forward to our buffet lunch so that nothing gets in the way of the action! 

Our annual sunflower competition started today. The seeds are sown, the rest is down to good care, mother nature and a dose of good luck! Keep your fingers crossed.....