Luxury Cheshire care home enjoys array of community outings for first time since pandemic

Residents at a Cheshire care home have enjoyed an array of therapeutic activities for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic – in an attempt to boost mental wellbeing and stimulate the senses.

Due to the pandemic, Priesty Fields Care Home, in Congleton, had to put its regular community day trips on hold for the protection of its residents. However, with it now being safe to engage with the community once again, the family-run business has pulled out all the stops to ensure its residents round off the year with as many outdoor activities as possible.

One of which, involved a group of green-fingered residents enjoying a trip to the local garden centre where they embraced the fresh air and picked out some plants to add to their own garden at the care home.

Studies have revealed there are huge benefits to gardening, with it being found to reduce depression, anxiety while improving social functioning, as well as being a fun activity for residents to do with relatives when they come visit.

One resident, who has always been a keen gardener, was very moved by the visit as she felt that the scents and smells of the plants took her back to her youth. One of the aims of Priesty Fields is to create memories and keep its residents feeling independent and healthy, which is evident through its impressive array of facilities, consisting of a pub, farmers market, gym, and its very own cinema.

After the success of the group outing to the garden centre, Priesty Fields was determined to ensure a further collection of enjoyable days were in the pipeline, including a visit to Greater Manchester’s Trafford shopping centre for some festive Christmas shopping, as well a few local Christmas markets to keep the residents mentally and physically stimulated, while engaging with the wider community.

Rishi Sodha, Care Director at Handsale, said: “Maintaining the mental wellbeing of our residents is at the core of our values. We want to make sure the residents continue to maintain their lifestyles and meaningful relationships with the community. This is why we will continue to hold community outings and ensure our residents get as much time out socialising and enjoying themselves as possible.”

Nestled in a green residential area close to Congleton’s town centre, Priesty Fields includes 78 spacious en-suite bedrooms, along with a gastro pub, farmers market, cinema, spa, salon, gym, library, private dining room, garden lounge, and GP office.

The home is operated by the Handsale care group, which runs eight residential and nursing care homes across England, Scotland and Wales. The group prides itself on empowering its staff to provide outstanding care by putting wellbeing and community at the centre of its operations.

Positioning itself as an interactive and inviting community hub, Priesty Fields’ holistic approach has considered peoples’ physical, emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing. Biophilic ‘living walls’ and natural wood, stone, and glass features help to enhance mental wellbeing, while its human-centric interior design provides an authentic and homely atmosphere.

The home is also sustainable, being built with a heat recovery system and environmentally friendly lighting for low energy consumption – aligning with the wider environmental objectives of the Hansdale care group.

For more information on Priesty Fields, visit: 

https://handsale.co.uk/priestyfields/

Priesty Fields is a luxury 78-bed care home in Congleton, Cheshire. Opened in November 2021, the state-of-the-art, purpose-built residential care home offers residents a space where they can maintain their independence and live fulfilling lives.

Nestled in a green residential area close to the market town’s centre, the home includes 78 spacious en-suite bedrooms, along with a gastro pub, farmers market. cinema, spa, salon, gym, library, private dining room, garden lounge, and a GP office.

The home is run by Handsale, a group of eight care homes across England, Scotland and Wales providing innovative care to its users through digital care plans, secure medication delivery, and 24/7 management. The group prides itself on empowering staff to provide outstanding care by putting wellbeing and community at its centre.

Pictured - Priesty Fields Care Home enjoys array of community outings to help boost mental wellbeing and engage with community.