Extraordinary young heroes open Beaufort Grange care home

Beaufort Grange care home, in CheswickVillage, invited three remarkable and inspirational local heroes to officially open the home by unveiling a plaque to mark the occasion. The young heroes are already incredibly high achievers and were nominated by the local community. 

At the age of 8, Layla Reid is already an author of a book entitled 'Epilepsy book for kids'. Layla is a young carer for her mother Sarah and wrote the book to help other children understand more about epilepsy through the first-hand experience she has gained. This year she was awarded runner up in the Young Epilepsy Champions Awards year she is working with Young Epilepsy to make a film, which will be delivered in Schools all over the UK to raise awareness of epilepsy.

Identical twins, Daniel and Michael Smith both have an extremely rare genetic disorder - Lebers Optic Neuropathy - that has resulted in total loss of vision. Daniel is the first blind engineer ever to graduate from Bristol University. Michael graduated from King’s College London, reading Geography, and was part of the Team GB Paralympics football team. He will start law school shortly and has secured a training contract with a top law firm in London.

The home’s warm welcome was extended to new residents and their families, local community groups and healthcare professionals that cam together to toast the opening of Beaufort Grange with Champagne. Equinox Blue Jazz Band provided entertainment, while guests enjoyed tours of the home, refreshment and canapés prepared by the in-house hospitality team. Layla cut the celebratory cake and all local heroes were presented a cheque for their chosen charities. Layla chose Young Carers and Daniel and Michael chose Blind in Business. 

Alexa Crew, a Manager with more than 20 years’ healthcare experience, has taken the helm and will lead a very capable care team to look after 74 people with varied care needs, including dedicated dementia care. Following a career as an Intensive Care Nurse, Alexa joined Barchester 2008 and is now an established General Manager, with knowledge of managing large care homes.

Alexa said: “I am really looking forward to make this house a home. We already have 15 new residents ready to join the Beaufort Grange family over the next few weeks and I am delighted that our founder residents, Barbara Heath and Irene Jones, and their families, are with us this afternoon to enjoy the celebrations.