Barbecue by the water's edge at Bridgeside Lodge for National Care Home Open Day

Friday 20 June 2014

Delicious hot food by the side of the Regent’s Canal will provide a welcome treat to visitors to the Bridgeside Lodge Care Centre in Islington on Friday 20 June, when the staff and guests open their doors – and gates – to visitors as part of National Care Home Open Day.

The custom-built care home, which looks after people with neurological and spinal conditions, as well as older residents, provides an idyllic setting in the heart of Islington, and will be welcoming families, neighbours and members of the local community for the open afternoon, which runs from 3.00pm until 5.00pm including live entertainment.  As well as showing off the garden terrace by the canal, staff will be showing visitors around some of the 64 bedrooms in the home, provide a ‘home for life’ for residents aged 18 and over with long-term care needs.

“Many people walk past Bridgeside Lodge without giving it a second thought, and are really surprised when they see the peaceful canal-side oasis at the side and rear of the property, so we’re extending the invitation to come and look around to anyone in the area, particularly those who might be looking for specialist care provision for a loved one,” comments centre manager, Fatma Makalo. 

Most of the activities and entertainment will take place outside in the garden terrace, but with a covered garden area and a ground floor lounge that opens onto the garden, organisers are confident that a good time will be had by all, whatever the weather.

“It is wonderful to be participating in this national open day initiative, but for anyone who wants to come and look around Bridgeside Lodge, every day is an open day – we welcome visitors to come and look around at any time without appointment as part of our open ethos so that people can get a feel for what the home is like on a ‘normal’ day,” adds Fatma.  “Potential residents’ families should never feel as though a home is making an extra special effort when they are expecting visitors, standards should always be at a very high level.”

Bridgeside Lodge Care Centre is located on Wharf Road in Islington, with 64 bedrooms spread across four independently-operating floors, each catering for the different needs of residents.  Bridgeside Lodge is part of the Forest Healthcare group of homes, which includes 12 individual homes throughout the South East of England.  For more information on Bridgeside Lodge, please visit www.foresthc.com or call 08444 725 175. 

ENDS

For further media information or photographs, please contact:

Jay Commins

Pyper York Limited

Tel:         01904 500698

Email:    jay@pyperyork.co.uk