1 year ago
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admin
Celebrating the Re-Opening of Spring Lane Care Home
As part of our re-opening celebrations at Spring Lane Care Home in Muswell Hill, we were delighted to host our much-loved Springdene Dog Show in October. This ever-popular community event brought together residents, families, and friends to enjoy a day of wagging tails and joyful moments.
Well-groomed pooches from near and far put their best paw forward, competing for prizes across a variety of fun doggy categories. Laughter filled the air when Alfie, an eight-year-old Bedlington Terrier, proudly claimed the title of Waggiest Tail.
Supporting Medical Detection Dogs
In keeping with the canine theme, we are proud to support our long-standing charity partner, Medical Detection Dogs. Thanks to the generosity of Springdene families and residents, an incredible £40,000 has been raised to help train dogs that can detect a range of illnesses, including Covid-19 and diabetes.
The charity’s work is expanding further, with dogs now being trained to detect prostate cancer – one of the leading causes of death among men in the UK. This pioneering research could not happen without the support of our community, and we thank everyone who has contributed to this life-changing cause.
Find Out More About Spring Lane Care Home
If you’d like to learn more about our events, community spirit, and award-winning care in North London, visit our Spring Lane Care Home page or get in touch with our friendly team.
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1 year ago
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admin
The leaves are drifting down from the trees, memories of summer are fading and there’s a chill in the air. But all was warm and cheerful as we celebrated the Grand Reopening of Spring Lane to mark the culmination of major enhancement works. There was a multiplicity of activities, including a raffle and a tombola and a sumptuous choice of food and drink. The local fire brigade came along to give a demonstration.
Folk gathered in the smart new lounge and dining room to hear a jazz band play favourite melodies and to tuck into delicious food. Residents and guests queued up to peer into the future in the fortune-teller’s tent. Meanwhile the cake-stand, with some superb home-made goodies, was doing brisk business.
One of the high points was the Springdene Dog Show (pictured), where well-preened pooches put their best paw forward to parade for a prize in various doggy categories. There was much amusement when Alfie, an eight-year-old Bedlington Terrier was judged to be winner in the waggiest tail category!
The day ended with folk taking to the dance floor, with some of the sprightliest steps coming from the residents themselves. We were delighted that so many of our neighbours in Muswell Hill took the trouble to pop in to inspect the high quality of the new works.
Now the builders at Spring Lane are concluding, the attention of our refurbishment teams is turning to Spring Grove, where a whole floor is being refurbished to install brand new wet-rooms. The work is expected to take six or seven months, but we are excited that we will eventually have a state-of-the-art home for our discerning Hampstead residents.
As well as looking forward to the modernisation of our estates, we have been delighted to welcome new staff – in particular Grace Ramalho who has joined us as manager of Springview. Grace has a wealth of experience in care, with over 30 years as a registered home manager and a degree in healthcare management. She is already settling in nicely and is proving popular with residents and staff.
We’re also pleased to announce a new role for our award-winning in-house artist Odile Kidd, who has been inspiring Spring Grove residents with her creative vision for many years. Many will recall the exhibition at Camden Arts Centre which she helped to curate, involving some of our residents. Odile brings her experience as an in-house artist at the Natural History Museum.
Now Odile is to become “Engagement Wellbeing Coordinator Art Specialist” and will in future support all three homes on a part-time basis. Art creation is at the heart of care-home life and Odile’s energy will ensure it continues to thrive at Springdene.
Sadly, though, it’s goodbye to one of the great stalwarts of Springdene – Sue Gilks, our resident services manager. Nothing escapes Sue’s eagle-eye, and she has been responsible over a dozen years for the exceptionally high standards in the homes. We wish Sue all the very best in her retirement. Good wishes, too, to our catering manager Mark Gates, who is off to pastures new.
There is no finer aspect to Springdene than our work for charity, and on this front, we are pleased to announce we are channelling our fund-raising efforts towards a new organisation – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The charity is celebrating its bicentenary this year and is an essential part of our emergency services, even though receiving no funds from the government. Did you know that the RNLI saved 355 lives last year?
Meanwhile our existing charity, Medical Detection Dogs, goes from strength to strength. Springdene families and residents have raised an astonishing £40,000 to sponsor the amazing dogs that can sniff out a range of illnesses, including Covid and diabetes. We hear that dogs are now being trained to detect prostate cancer – one of the biggest killers of men in Britain. This pioneering work could not have been done without your donations.
As the year draws to an end, we are taking stock of recent political changes and how they affect the care sector. We had hoped that the incoming government might have got to grips with developing a long-needed coherent strategy for care. But so far this has not materialised, while the NHS is receiving a major boost in funds and is to be the subject of substantial reform.
However, like other care-home operators, we are facing a sizeable hike in employee National Insurance contributions, announced in the Budget. We are just doing our sums to assess how this will affect us when it is introduced in the spring.
On a cheerier note, the Springdene Christmas party season is about to begin – joyously as always. Over at Springview, the big day is on November 28, when the Christmas lights are switched on. Kathy Dunn, who organises it brilliantly each year, tells us the occasion will be bigger and better than ever.
A new troupe of illuminated elves has been acquired, and once again the snow machine will be cranking into action. “We’ve got so many lights,” reckons Kathy, “that you’ll be able to see us from space.”
Meanwhile, over the coming weeks, all our homes will be getting out the decorations, installing the Christmas firs and honing up delicious festive menus. There are few things as cosy and warm as Christmas at Springdene. We can’t wait!
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1 year ago
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admin
Muswell Hill was buzzing on Sunday the 27th of October as Spring Lane held a Grand Reopening celebration to mark the end of a major refurbishment project.
Residents, relatives and visitors danced to the music of the jazz band in the new luxury spaces. Another highlight was the dog show, which brought in pups of all shapes and sizes to show of their abilities.
An important part of the Springdene ethos is supporting the local community, and for this event monies were raised for Age UK Barnet and Islington Boxing Club charities.
Springdene Care Homes was established in 1969 and has been serving the communities of Hampstead, Muswell Hill and Enfield ever since. Offering the highest levels of care in a warm and welcoming family environment. The homes are still run by the same family to this day.
To join the Springdene family:
call on 020 8815 2000 or visit our website www.springdene.co.uk
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2 years ago
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admin
Springdene is excited to invite you to the grand re-opening of Spring Lane Care Home in Muswell Hill, taking place on Sunday 27th October from 11am to 4pm.
After a major refurbishment, Spring Lane now offers a modern, luxurious environment for high-quality residential and dementia care in the heart of North London. Join us for a community celebration with food, music, dogs, and family-friendly fun.
Located just minutes from Muswell Hill Broadway (N10), Spring Lane is a family-run care home with excellent transport links, newly upgraded facilities, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Guided tours will be available on the day – we’d love to show you around.
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2 years ago
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admin
Residents from Spring Lane Residential Care Home in Muswell Hill recently enjoyed a traditional pub lunch at The Clissold Arms – famously known as the home of The Kinks.
This much-loved local spot is where brothers Dave and Ray Davies performed their debut gig, marking the start of the band’s legendary journey. Over a hearty lunch, residents enjoyed sharing stories and learning more about the history of this iconic venue.
Outings like this bring together good food, local heritage, and plenty of conversation – all part of life at Springdene.
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2 years ago
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admin
Residents from Spring Lane Residential Care Home in Muswell Hill recently enjoyed a summer day out to Woodberry Wetlands nature reserve in Stoke Newington.
The group took in views of the reservoir while enjoying tea and cake at the café, surrounded by peaceful natural scenery. A highlight of the trip was resident Cecil – a keen fisherman and birdwatcher – who brought along his binoculars and enthusiastically pointed out different bird species to the group.
Trips like these are part of Springdene’s commitment to enriching daily life for our residents through meaningful, nature-based activities that support wellbeing, social connection, and joy
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2 years ago
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Residents from Spring Lane Residential Care Home in Muswell Hill enjoyed a recent day out to the RAF Museum in Hendon. The group explored more than 150 years of aviation history, guided by RAF staff member Rhiannon, who shared fascinating insights into the museum’s exhibits.
The visit was part of Springdene’s commitment to delivering engaging and meaningful activities for residents. After the museum tour, the group stopped at a nearby pub to relax and reflect on the day over a drink.
These regular outings support social wellbeing and create lasting memories – just one example of how Springdene helps residents live life to the full.
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2 years ago
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admin
Celebrating 55 Years of Outstanding Care at Springdene
In July 2024, Springdene Care Homes proudly marked 55 years of exceptional care in North London with a vibrant celebration at Springview, our Enfield residential home. The day featured vintage classic cars, a live jazz band, a summer BBQ, and plenty of joy shared with residents, families, and staff.
We’re deeply grateful to everyone who helped make this milestone event so special. Together, we raised over £1,000 in support of Medical Detection Dogs, a charity close to our hearts.
Springdene has been delivering trusted, person-centred care since 1969 and we look forward to many more years of compassionate service.
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2 years ago
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admin
It’s been a great summer for Springdene as we celebrate the 55th anniversary of our foundation. We had a splendid party at Springview to mark the occasion, which we all enjoyed, including our Enfield neighbours, who joined in enthusiastically.
There was a multiplicity of activities, including a raffle and a tombola and a sumptuous choice of food and drink. The local fire brigade came along to give a demonstration.
But the high point was an exhibition of vintage cars and commercial vehicles, which sparked lots of golden memories among our residents. These were laid on by the neighbouring Whitewebbs transport museum, which is one of the hidden jewels of Enfield. Thanks to them – and we strongly recommend a visit.
One of the joys of the party was raising the magnificent sum of £1,700 for our favourite charity, Medical Detection Dogs. The charity does marvellous work with its animals which are trained to “sniff out” the early signs of serious illnesses, such as cancer and diabetes. Our very own sponsored dog Spring, whom we have adopted since he was a puppy, is busy saving saves, thanks to your input.
The cheque was presented at a special ceremony by Mrs June Powell, joint founder of Springdene Care Homes (right, in the picture). “Our residents and families are proud to play their part in funding the good work of this excellent charity,” said Mrs Powell.
With the recent summer weather, the gardens of the homes are looking splendid. There are colourful blooms everywhere thanks to our green-fingered director, Stacey-Louise Balcombe.
At Spring Lane, the patio garden has been re-planned and is looking lovely. At Springview we are keeping our fingers crossed for the results of the Enfield in Bloom competition – and, indeed, one of their inspectors was spotted the other day sussing out our gardens.
Our residents have not only been enjoying the gardens in the summer weather, but they have been getting out and about, too. Fraser, our dynamic new wellbeing coordinator at Spring Lane, has been busy organising visits, with two memorable outings – to the RAF Museum at Hendon and London Zoo in Regents Park.
So it’s welcome to Fraser, and also to Erika, our new clinical lead who has joined us to support our group operations supremo, Mark Clements. Mark will now have the time to focus on strategic issues for the future. We are also looking forward to the arrival in the autumn of a new manager at Springview to replace Iva Petrova, who has moved on to a new job.
At Spring Lane, Alex Codrescu continues to hold the fort while manager Lori Vela enjoys maternity leave with her beautiful new baby.
Also at Spring Lane, we are excited with the countdown to the completion of the modernisation programme in the upstairs bedrooms. We’re also getting a lovely new lounge and entrance area, which will enhance everyone’s lives. Over at Spring Grove the new cinema room is in operation, with enhanced viewing for everyone.
As always, live music continues to flourish in all our homes. Our old favourite Roddy Skeaping continues to entertain with his much-loved singalongs while the Dance Well team keep everyone on their toes.
This involves exploring various movements to music using all sorts of props. The staff join in, and everyone has a good laugh. And we mustn’t forget Lost Chord, who do such good work among those with memory issues.
For us in the management team, the arrival of a new government means some change on the care landscape. The Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, has declared dissatisfaction with the Care Quality Commission, the care home regulator, and undoubtedly there will be some changes. At the same time Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, has abandoned the idea of a cap on care costs, although there is talk of a Royal Commission on the subject.
Meanwhile prepare your diaries for a party in the early autumn to celebrate the completion of the works at Spring Lane. It promises to be a great occasion. Until then, enjoy your summer!
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2 years ago
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admin
HAPPY New Year to all, wherever you may be, and we hope you are looking forward to 2024, following a fantastic festive season at Springdene. By general agreement, our celebrations in the homes were among the best for many years.
Our party season kicked off at the end of November with the official switch-on of the Christmas lights at Springview by Councillor Suna Hurman, Mayor of Enfield. Councillor Hurman chatted to the residents and congratulated Springdene on more than 50 years of service to the community.
The local paper, the Enfield Independent, ran a full-page feature about the occasion, featuring pictures of our residents enjoying mince pies and roasted marshmallows, including our snow machine in action!
The decorations across all the homes looked fantastic. And there were splendid repasts every day, prepared by our new catering manager Mark Gates and his team
High point was Christmas Day lunch in the homes with all the trimmings. Afterwards the directors served a roast turkey and Christmas pudding lunch to the hard-working staff, a ritual which is very popular every year.
“It was a pleasure to give our folk a chance to put their feet up for a short time,“ said CEO Michael Williams. “They are lovely people who work so hard for us. Wonderful for them to have a bit of relaxation and enjoyment for themselves on Christmas Day.
After a hearty New Year celebration, the festive season was still going strong this week with a coach visit by the residents of Spring Grove to the Wallace Collection art gallery near Oxford Street, where everyone marvelled at the lights and were treated to a special show-round by the curators.
One resident went on the record to say, “I believe I speak for everybody in saying we’ve all had a lovely time. If I’d been at home on my own, Christmas would have been nothing like this. I’m so grateful to be looked after at Springdene.”
Hard on the heels of the Festive Season came the Annual Employee Appreciation Awards – the “Oscars” of the Springdene year – in which staff nominated their colleagues for 10 special prizes in various categories.
The first of three ceremonies took place at Spring Lane on Wednesday, where care assistant Monika Sas-Jaworska won Carer of the Year. She was praised for being “polite, kind and caring about everyone – residents and staff alike, – and going the extra mile on every shift”. Well done, Monika!
Afterwards there was a wonderful singer, great food and dancing into the late afternoon, while winners lined up for the cameras to display their awards (see picture above). It brought a tear to the eye to observe residents waltzing with carers!
Quite separately our talented artist in residence, Odile Kidd and her team of residents, won a “highly-commended” honour in the North Central London Care System art awards. Her paper wreaths, everyone agreed, were quite delightful!
On another note, 2024 will bring some important management changes. Michael Williams, the present CEO is stepping down from his post in March. He took the helm three years ago after the indisposition of the previous incumbent Jeremy Balcombe, and is returning to his previous occupation as best-selling author and senior journalist in the national media.
However, Michael will not be severing his connection with Springdene entirely – he will continue as Chairman of the Board as well as authoring this acclaimed newsletter and will welcome staying in touch with residents and their families.
The new CEO will be Theodore Powell, currently facilities director with responsibility for project management. A graduate of Nottingham University, Theodore is a grandson of Dr Arnold and Mrs June Powell, founders of the company – cementing the Springdene tradition as a family business. He takes up his new job on March 14.
One thing he will be supervising is our new process of charging residents according to their care needs, which began this week. To explain: each resident will have a six-monthly assessment of their care needs according to a set scale, with their fees adjusted appropriately. Fees may rise or fall, depending on circumstances but it will be a much more equitable means of charging.
However, don’t worry, there is a built-in safeguard against excessive jumps in fees. If you are concerned, don’t hesitate to contact our CEO, Michael Williams on mwilliams@springdene.co.uk
Meanwhile we continue the process of modernising the homes. The programme of upgrading the rooms on the fourth floor of Spring Lane is more than halfway through and we are getting on with transforming the reception area. Apologies and thanks for forbearance in putting up with the noise and dust.
Next, we’re turning our attention to Spring Grove, where new wetrooms will be created and the lounge areas will get a makeover, establishing a new cinema room in the process.
We are delighted to report that we continue to receive a stream of praise from our residents and their families. Gill, the cousin of one of our Spring Lane residents, recently wrote:
“As a trained carer myself, I can honestly say that I have never seen a better care home than Spring Lane. The rooms and common areas are spotlessly clean, well-appointed, and extremely comfortable. Ongoing activities and entertainment are plentiful. Residents are encouraged, but not forced, to participate. Visiting is unrestricted.
“Each and every member of staff seems totally engaged in ensuring that each individual resident is clean, safe, happy, and living life to their utmost potential. The ratio of carers to residents seems higher than most and there’s a happy atmosphere – lots of smiles!”
Do you have a similar message of praise for us? We’re about to submit our excellent record of care to the judges of the annual National Care Awards and you could help us win a prize. It’s simple. Just go to www.carehome.co.uk or fill in a simple form in one of our homes’ reception areas. But don’t delay – nominations close on January 11. We’ll be grateful for your support!
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