Activities at Melbourn Springs Care Home

The Melbourn Hub held another hugely successful Community Showcase on a gloriously sunny July afternoon. There were various stalls of beautiful gifts, delicious honey and many local community groups were on hand too! The numerous activities brought the community together to share in the fun, raise money and enjoy the live performances from the home grown talent of Melbourn.

Cath Sharman from the Melbourn Timebank also spoke to our Home Services Advisor Dan about the amazing work that is going on in the village. Timebanking is a way for local people to come together and help each other by exchanging knowledge, help and skills. Everyone has something to offer a Timebank from making a cake, picking up a prescription, walking their dog, doing some gardening, visiting someone for a cup of tea, welcoming new residents to the village, whatever you do will make a difference to the person that needs your help.

You get an hour’s time credit which you can use to get something back. That may be help with your mobile/tablet, learning how to hem a skirt, someone picking up a loaf of bread, or gaining some new skills. Everyone’s time is equal, so one hour of my time is equal to one hour of your time, irrespective of whatever we choose to exchange. The exchanges can go on and on, as do the new friendships, connections and networks that are made. Members feel less isolated and more supported in their own community - what an amazing way to help and serve one another!

For more information about the Melbourn Timebank please contact Coordinator Cath Sharman on 01763 263303 Option 3 or email: timebank@melbournparishcouncil.co.uk

Melbourn Springs celebrated a major milestone with a recent topping out ceremony. The occasion marked the completion of the latest stage of the 75-bed care home as it enters the final months of construction before the grand opening in December.

Andy Williams, the Senior Property Development Manager at Barchester said, “The home is really coming together. The design will not only allow our operational colleagues to provide the best level of care for the residents who live there, but also ensure the residents are able to live dignified lives in surroundings that allow them to be as independent as they choose to be.”

McGoff Construction Manager Neil Wilkinson commented, “We were delighted to reach such a significant stage in the build process today. It was a pleasure to share the occasion with our project partners Barchester Healthcare. We look forward to handing over the Marketing Suite in September which will allow finished aspects of the care home to be showcased.”

Dan Amis, the Home Services Advisor at Melbourn Springs said, "The topping out ceremony brings us a step closer to the day we welcome residents. I would like to thank everyone locally for the warm welcome we have already received and look forward to extending our hospitality to the local community when our Marketing Suite opens soon. In the meantime, I am always available every Wednesday between 9am and 5pm at the Melbourn Hub to assist anyone who might have questions about care and Melbourn Springs.”

Incredible what you can find by the side of the road! Our Home Services Advisor Dan joined the Royston and District Round Table on their community cycle litter pick and a seemingly clean verge filled up 5 bin bags of rubbish! What an amazing way to meet new people, get some exercise and help keep Britain tidy too!

Dan attended the Royston and District Chamber of Commerce Business Breakfast at the Jolly Postie in Royston. The breakfast was absolutely delicious and the chamber hugely welcoming as Dan spoke about Melbourn Springs and his role as a Home Services Advisor in the local community. The chamber was also treated to a hugely informative presentation about the outstanding work of the Foodbanks of Cambridge and Royston and how we can all play a part in supporting local people in crisis. The breakfast is held once a month at the Jolly Postie or The Old Bull Inn, Royston and for more information or to book in advance please email: info@roystonchamber.org

Dan joined Legal Executive Gemma Young from Setfords Solicitors at the Carers in Hertfordshire Legal Planning Workshop in Royston. Planning for later life can be an absolute minefield, but with workshops such as these many concerns and questions about Lasting Power of Attorney are able to be addressed. Everyone who attended thoroughly enjoyed the event and all the exceptionally helpful information that Gemma presented.

Dan was very fortunate to meet Barbara McGee, the Community Fundraising Area Manager at the East Anglian Air Ambulance in Cambridge. During his visit, Dan was able to meet the team and learn even more about the amazing work that the charity does in and around the local area. The service now operates 365 days, covering over 5,000 square miles (13,000 km2) and a population of approximately 3.5 million! First Aid is clearly just as important today as it has always been and now with defibrillator training too we all can play a part in an emergency. Watch out for our First Aid training session which will be hosting at Melbourn Springs very soon!