hallmark testimonials

church view Nursing Home

Life at Church View

I came to Church View full of woe,
But found that life here wasn’t so.
The staff and home is a happy place,
Everyone always has a smiley face.
Bingo, cookery and lots to do,
So pick up your pinny, there’s loads for you.
They always make me feel ten feet tall,

Life at Church View is not so bad,
So chin up and smile, don’t be sad.
The food is excellent, I must say,
The napkins and cloths the nurses lay.
But I’m afraid I may get oh so fat,
I’ll end up looking like a Cheshire cat.
They buff and fluff my hair so well,
I feel like a film star, can’t you tell?

Life at Church View, come and see,
Have a cuppa and sit with me.
Nurses and carers make life so worthwhile,
So come to Church View and you will smile.
My little poem has come to an end,
So my love and best wishes to you I send.

Written by Lottie Sharp, resident at Church View care home, with help from her daughter, Caroline Symmons

Greenhill Manor Nursing Home

“I am writing to you in respect of my late mother Mrs Edith Davies who in her final years resided at Greenhill Manor Nursing Home in Merthyr. I would like to thank all of the staff in the EMI unit for the loving care they gave to my mother. The only word I can think to say is ‘marvellous’. It is only once in a lifetime you come across a group of nurses and carers that were as good as these, I would therefore like every one of them thanked personally... I visited the Nursing Home every other day and sometimes every day and the care they give to all of the EMI clients, not only my mother, is remarkable – they are all made to feel like they are the only person in the world. Everyone that visited my mother would say to our family that they could not believe the care and attention everyone got, it is like one big family – what a home to recommend to anyone. If this home were to be marked out of 10, we would give it 11! I could fill a book on their care and attention.

We as a family would like to thank all of the staff, from the receptionists right through to the nurses; we were made to feel very welcome."

With great thanks and regards,

Mr & Mrs L Davies and all of the family

Westwood COurt Care Home

To all the staff [at Westwood Court care home],

It has been difficult to see everyone who has given care and support to both Ellen and myself over the years so this [letter] is my thanks to you all. That goes for everyone – ladies in the kitchen, cleaning, laundry, admin, management and care assistance nurses – you all do a fantastic job.

It is difficult for me to put into words and fully express the value I place on the care you have provided my Mum, Ellen, throughout her stay at Westwood. I cannot think of anywhere else where she would have received better support.

Your task is difficult and frustrating at times but you make a direct difference to the lives of the people in your care, something that is priceless.

You are special people,

Robert, Barbara and Ellen

regency Hall care home

Liz Steward (Home Manager) and Cheryl Wanklyn (Regional Manager, South Wales)

When I first visited Regency and met you in July 2006, it was the last of a large number of care homes I had viewed over several months. I was in despair at finding a home in which I felt confident of care for my much loved mother. From the moment I entered Regency and was shown around, I knew I had at last found the right place, and I was so pleased that you were able to accommodate her soon after. Time proved my judgement was well placed.

The committed professional and loving care of your staff was wonderful throughout my mother’s time with you. They maintained her dignity; the humour and fun they gave animated her; and I knew from her response to them that she recognised this and loved them too. As she deteriorated, this meant more and more to me; and you and your staff have always been accessible, friendly, and eager to assist me ­ and I pay tribute here not only to you and the nursing / caring staff, but to your front-line and administrative staff ­ nothing was too much trouble to any of you... During my mother’s last days, the loving nursing care given to my mother was nothing short of superb. During my visits, and by phone, I was kept fully informed. The knowledge of my mother’s impending death was greatly eased by this. Staff were sensitive beyond the call of duty. It mattered a lot to me.  

I should add [to the Home Manager] that the changes you have made to the home since your much deserved promotion as Manager have been very evident. Your total commitment to quality care is very evident throughout Regency House... I hope that someone like me in 2006 will visit to assess the home, as I did and draw confidence from a reference which is from the heart. Thanks are inadequate. You are wonderful people.

Judi Richards

BRYN CELYN care home

I am writing to express our sincere thanks for Roy’s This is Your Life celebration last Thursday – it was a warm, ‘fun’, uplifting occasion. Our particular and special thanks must go to Mark who organised such a detailed, empathetic presentation that encapsulated our father so accurately and affectionately. Our thanks also go to the care staff who organised the food and drink, and to the other residents who joined in our warm celebration. All the Mitchell family members will now have a wonderful, lasting memory of Roy’s rich life experience in the form of the DVD, the book and the occasion itself. Very best wishes and huge thanks to all involved.
 
Yours sincerely,
Pat Mitchell & family  
 

Goodwins Hall care home

Over the past two years my Aunt Biddy was gradually deteriorating both mentally and physically. Following a discussion with my aunt, her doctor and myself it was decided that a move to a residential care home would be beneficial for her.

After viewing a number of homes within the West Norfolk area, it was decided by all that Goodwins Hall would be the home most suited to her needs. Biddy, although very nervous, entered the home in January 2009. The first few visits we made were quite worrying as she was reluctant to come out of her room. I think the change from leaving her own home and going into residential accommodation with lots of people around her was overwhelming, particularly as Biddy has always been a very private person. However, this soon changed; we found that when we went to visit she was no longer in her room but joining in with the activities or sitting in one of the lounges talking with other residents.

She has now been at Goodwins Hall for several months, she is much brighter, she has put on a little weight due to the regular home cooked meals and looks much better than she has for a long while. She has struck up friendships with the other residents and interacts well with all the staff. Biddy, who will be 90 years old in November, is very happy and content to remain at Goodwins Hall amongst her new friends, staff and residents for the rest of her days.

Peter & Val Atterbury

kirkby manor care home

Pauline Waddoups has worked for Hallmark Healthcare for 3 years. Sadly for Hallmark, Pauline is moving on to open her own business.

Before she left Hallmark, Pauline wanted to let everyone know her feelings for Hallmark Healthcare:“I have been a registered manager for Kirkby Manor Care Home since April 1998, caring for the elderly with mental health problems.

"In June 2005, the new proprietors Hallmark Healthcare took over Kirkby Manor and all my staff (including me) were very anxious about this takeover, as we appeared to be set in our ways and nobody likes change. The first person the staff and I met was Avnish Goyal, he seemed a nice polite business man and I remember his first words to me were “Please don’t worry everything will be alright!“ I thought yes okay, so what do you want from us? Our experiences with the previous owners had made us cautious as we thought the new owners might act in the same manner. How wrong we were! However it took us a while for us to trust Hallmark. In the last three years staff at Kirkby Manor have participated as a team, achieving the fire walk, nine of my staff have been nominated for the Hallmark Care Awards and successfully winning three categories, Carer of the Year 2006, Care manager of the Year 2006 and Nurse trainer of the year 2007. My staff and I have experienced being invited down to London to accept our awards in five star accommodation.

"On the occasion of winning Home Manager of the Year (pictured above), Ram said to me afterwards “You looked surprised Pauline when you won, I wasn’t surprised because you’re a good manager, you just don’t realise how good you are!” And that really meant a lot to me.

"On managers meetings we have stayed overnight in top hotels and had free treatments in the hotel spa. Hallmark have always encouraged us to support each other always made us feel special. As a Manager I feel I have always been firm but fair with my staff and as I am a caring person I expect the best care for my residents and I feel that because of the support and recognition from Ram and Avnish and the management training from Kelly Townsend we have achieved the best care for our resident.

"This in fact has also given me the courage and confidence to set up my own business in the care industry. I approached Ram a year ago and just ran it by him to see firstly his reaction because I didn’t really believe I could do it and also to make sure that this would not create a conflict of interest. Not surprisingly Ram was behind me one hundred percent offering me guidance and support, encouraging me to go for it! As a manager I have never had so much support, encouragement and acknowledgment from proprietors as Avnish and Ram, they are very special people who are compassionate about their staff and their residents.

"I have written this testimonial to try and explain that without Hallmark Healthcare I would not have gained the experience, confidence and courage to be the person I have become and to be in the position I am in today.

A SINCERE THANK YOU TO RAM AND AVNISH GOYAL.”

Hallmark would like to thank Pauline for her valuable contribution and wish her all the best for the future.

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