RESIDENTIAL HOME- TILSLEY HOUSE

All the residents eagerly look forward to Tuesday evenings when we have a refreshing and varied range of visitors who come in to entertain or lead us in a devotional time. We are thankful to a Number of Choirs, Brass Bands, Boys Brigade groups, Drama groups and individual speakers who willingly come to spend time with us. The same goes for the first Sunday afternoon in every month when we celebrate Communion lead by a volunteer from a local church. All these people are Christians who enjoy fulfilling a commitment for mission.

 

We have special visitors on other occasions as well including rabbits and guinea pigs brought in by Mr Mike Barsby who runs a Visitor farm nearby. Toby the house dog had to have an operation and was on sick leave for a week, happily he has made a good recovery.

 

Changes in legislation have come into effect, which means that all of the staff had to undergo checks through the Criminal Records Bureau an indictment of the kind of society we live in today. During the year also we had another inspection visit from the National Care Standards Commission staff.

 

In the summer we literally set light to Tranquil House next door, or at least the garden that is; all in the aid of training we might add. Staff underwent real fire training when we learned how to use  different fire extinguishers to put out real fires. No one got burnt thankfully and Tranquil House still stands to see another day.

 

On a gorgeous hot and sunny Saturday afternoon in June we held our very first Summer Fete and Garden Party. Many visitors included families, friends and neighbours. A wide range of stalls were set up in the garden and cream teas were served whilst the Brass Band played on. A great deal of work and planning went into this event for which we will always be grateful.

Around this time we had an anonymous gift of a wide screen television, video and DVD player for the lounge, which are much enjoyed by the residents who can now see the screen from the

other side of the room.

 

It was a busy time leading up to Christmas, trying to get all presents bought, wrapped and put into named sacks. 6 presents for each resident at Tilsley and Tranquil house, = 92 presents. We start around about January ready for the next year! Most evenings during December we had various groups entertaining the residents with Christmas festive entertainment. Unfortunately on Christmas Eve Sue the manager was ill so the staff had an extra one to care for. The staff worked very hard to make sure that the residents had a wonderful time and did not miss Sue too much! It was very quiet without her!

 

A particularly nasty viral illness hit many of the staff, not once but twice at different times throughout the year. The fittest of the rest had to cope to the best of their ability but thankfully none of the residents were affected by it.

 

During theyearwe saw 3 of our residents pass into Glory. Their lives had been truly enriched during their time living with us and we all gained a great deal from knowing and caring for each one of them; they will be sadly missed. Regrettably 3 other residents had to move into nursing homes as their health and general condition needed more specialist care.

 

As we come to the end of the currentyearwewait apprehensively the arrival of builders once again. The two flats on the second floor of the house are to be converted into additional residential rooms. Hopefully they will go home at the end of the day! It has been a very busy and trying year but the Lord has answered prayers and given us the strength to carry on.