CHD Living

19/06/2026

18/06/2026

18/06/2026

Some gifts carry far more than the thing itself.

At St Catherine’s Care Centre, resident Barry recently presented fellow resident Howie with a beautiful model aeroplane that he had built and painted himself.

Barry wanted to make something special as a way of giving back to the home, where he has found great happiness. After asking whether anyone else shared an interest in aeroplanes, he chose Howie to receive it.

The gesture was thoughtful, personal and full of kindness. Howie was absolutely delighted, and the model now takes pride of place in his bedroom.

It was a lovely moment between two residents, shaped by generosity, shared interest and the simple pleasure of making someone else happy.

Thank you, Barry, for such a wonderful gift.

16/06/2026

A beautiful afternoon in the garden at Surrey Heights Dementia Care Centre.

To celebrate Care Home Open Week, we were delighted to welcome guests from Farncombe Day Centre for a summer garden party, bringing residents, visitors and team members together in the sunshine.

Harpist Danielle Clarke brought a wonderfully elegant atmosphere to the afternoon, while guests enjoyed garden games including giant Jenga, Connect 4 and Co****le, along with finger sandwiches, cakes and a glass of fizz.

It was a lovely reminder of what Care Home Open Week is all about: opening our doors, welcoming the community in, and sharing the warmth, friendship and life within our homes.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the afternoon so special.

15/06/2026

What a brilliant way to mark Care Home Open Week.

Abbey Chase Nursing Home was proud to welcome the Great British Care Cycle Relay as it made its way through the area, bringing energy, smiles and a real sense of celebration to the home.

The relay, a charitable initiative organised by Championing Social Care, is a wonderful reminder of the strength, commitment and heart across the care sector. Riders from across the social care community took on the challenge to recognise care workers and shine a light on the incredible work happening in care homes every day.

There was such a lovely atmosphere as the cyclists arrived at Abbey Chase, where residents and team members were delighted to cheer them on and welcome them in.

A huge thank you to everyone who organised the Great British Care Cycle Relay, to the riders who took part, to the Mayor of Runnymede for joining us, and to all those helping raise the profile of care in such a positive and joyful way.

Care Home Open Week is all about opening doors, building connections and showing the community what care homes are really about.

At Abbey Chase, this stop on the relay did exactly that.

15/06/2026

This week brings together two campaigns that feel especially relevant to life across CHD Living: Care Home Open Week and Loneliness Awareness Week.

One invites people to step inside care homes and see the warmth, activity and personality within them.

The other asks us to give loneliness a voice.

For us, they sit closely together.

A care home is at its best when it feels open to the world around it. When families feel welcome. When local groups visit. When residents continue to enjoy the places, interests and traditions that matter to them. When someone’s story is listened to, remembered and shared with care.

This year’s Care Home Open Week has a World Cup theme, and we love the spirit behind it. Football has a way of sparking conversation naturally: favourite teams, old matches, friendly rivalries, flags, songs and shared anticipation. For many residents, it can bring back memories and create easy moments of laughter and conversation.

During Loneliness Awareness Week, with its theme of Giving Loneliness a Voice, we are reminded that loneliness is not always easy to spot. It can be felt by older people, carers, families, people living with dementia, people recovering after illness, and those who may be surrounded by others but still need a stronger sense of belonging.

Across CHD Living, Creating Happiness Daily is found in those everyday moments that help people feel seen and included. Family visits. Intergenerational activities. The Adopt a Grandparent programme. Local partnerships. Wellbeing sessions. Tea & Talk cafés. A conversation that is not rushed. A familiar face at the right time.

Care homes have so much to offer beyond their own walls. This week is a reminder to keep opening doors, starting conversations and making space for people to feel part of something.

12/06/2026

Carers Week is a reminder that care does not only happen in care settings.

It happens at kitchen tables, in GP waiting rooms, during late night phone calls, on difficult mornings, in supermarket aisles, and in all the small decisions made by people looking after someone they love.

This year’s theme, Building Carer Friendly Communities, matters because unpaid carers cannot be expected to carry everything alone. They need places where they feel recognised, people who understand what caring can involve, and local support that feels easy to reach before things become overwhelming.

At CHD Living, we see how much difference community can make, especially for people living with dementia and those supporting them day to day.

Our Tea & Talk cafés were created with that in mind. Held in Haslemere at Haslemere Methodist Church and in Godalming at Godalming United Church, they offer a welcoming space for people living with dementia, unpaid carers, older residents and members of the community to come together over tea, cake and conversation.

No referral. No booking. No pressure to explain everything. Just a place to feel welcome.

Carer friendly communities are built through practical kindness: a conversation, a signpost, a shared cup of tea, a space where someone can be honest, or simply a moment where a carer feels less alone.

To every unpaid carer in our communities, thank you. Your role is deeply valued, and you deserve support, recognition and connection too.

11/06/2026

There will be a different kind of arrival at Abbey Chase Nursing Home soon.

As part of the Championing Social Care Great British Care Cycle Relay, riders from across the social care community will be travelling through the area on a 100km route, stopping at care homes along the way to celebrate the people who make care what it is.

We are proud that Abbey Chase Nursing Home will be kicking off Care Home Open Week as one of the stops on the relay. It is a lovely opportunity to welcome the cyclists, cheer them on, and take a moment to recognise the dedication, compassion and hard work shown by care workers every day, not just at our homes and services, but across the wider care sector.

A huge good luck to everyone taking part.

We cannot wait to welcome you.

10/06/2026

Local to the Godalming area and free next Tuesday? A reminder that our Open Day at Surrey Heights Dementia Care Centre, as part of Care Home Open Week, is taking place on Tuesday 16th June from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.

Join us as we open our doors to the local community and invite you to experience life at our home.

Enjoy a Buckingham Palace-themed afternoon with live harp music, traditional afternoon tea, garden games, and the opportunity to tour our beautiful home, meet our residents, and spend time in our gardens.

Whether you would like to enjoy some live music, bring the family along, learn more about dementia care, or simply spend a relaxing afternoon with us, we would be delighted to welcome you.

If you are unable to join us on the day, our doors will remain open throughout Care Home Open Week, and you are also welcome to visit any of our other CHD Living homes.

Everyone is welcome, and we look forward to seeing you there.

09/06/2026

⚽ Care Home Open Week | 15th – 21st June ⚽

Next week, Whitegates Care Centre will be opening its doors as part of Care Home Open Week, welcoming families, friends, members of the local community and anyone interested in visiting our home.

Visitors will have the opportunity to tour our home, meet our dedicated team, spend time with our residents and experience the warm and welcoming community we are proud to provide.

Throughout the week, we'll also be hosting a World Cup Watch Party, with one of the highlights being England vs Croatia on Wednesday evening - a fantastic opportunity to come together and enjoy the excitement of the tournament.

📍 Whitegates Care Centre, 1 Condor Road, Laleham, Staines, TW18 1UG