September 2021

Summer is slowing edging away from us but the weather is being kind, which enables us to enjoy the outdoors for a bit longer. We love sitting out in the garden chatting with each other whenever possible.

We were delighted to see ‘Salvatore’, our favourite singer, who performed some old favourites of ours in the lounge. It was lovely to get up and dance and have a good sing along with him.

This month we said goodbye to Mel, our activities coordinator. Mel has been with us for over 5 years and has bought many a smile and laugh to us all. Mel is moving on in her career to become a teaching assistant, and we wish her well in her new role. We have been lucky to find a replacement, whilst Mel was still active in her role. Nicki has joined our Home and is fitting in very well indeed. Nicki has worked along side Mel for the past 4 weeks to get to know our residents and their needs. I’m sure Nicki, will succeed in her new role with us.

We will also be saying goodbye to Karen, our Manager on 16th September, who has made the difficult decision to spend more time at home with her family. Karen has also been with us for over 5 years and has helped make Fairby the Home it is today. Karen has made some fantastic relationships with staff, residents and their relatives and will be sorely missed by all.

Taking on the role of Manager is Sacha Rock, who will be joining us on 1st October 2021. Sacha has gained her NVQ5 qualification and has gained experience as a deputy manager of a large dementia care home in Bexley. Sacha is passionate about delivering quality care and I am sure will thrive in our small family run Home. Sacha is looking forward to getting to know everyone and we too look forward to working closely with her.

June /July/August 2021

Summer is here - well sort of. Not too much in the way of warm sunny weather, but this hasn’t stopped us from enjoying the garden and popping out on our minibus for journeys around the countryside.

Mel invited us to her garden for afternoon tea, which was lovely. She has a large koi pond and we spent a lovely afternoon just sitting, chatting and laughing whilst eating Mel’s famous cupcakes.

Our usual yearly boat trips on the River Medway were cancelled due to the pandemic, but recommenced during July. We were lucky to get a morning slot and thoroughly enjoyed out time sailing downstream to Teapot Island and back to the Wateringbury Marina. We had a lovely prepared snack box on board along with tea and coffee. Debbie is now part of the crew and it was great to see her in action, steering the boat, opening the locks and making sure we were all ok.

It is lovely to start getting back to a bit of normality. Fingers crossed it continues.

April / May 2021

Although May was a wet and windy month, we still managed to have fun and laughs here at Fairby.

We regularly went out for drives around the beautiful countryside in our minibus and stop for a coffee and cake on board. We like to stop and look at the River Thames at Gravesend or go the the Historic Dockyard in Chatham to look at the harbour.

We have also joined up again with Dimples Children’s nursery for online Zoom meetings, where we get to see and join in with the children’s sing a-long times. We thoroughly love watching the little ones have fun and grow up. We can’t wait for when restrictions ease and they are once again allowed back into the home.

We have some upcoming events in June (hopefully anyway). We are back out on the The Kingfisher boat at Yalding for a cruise down the River Medway. Debbie is now a crew member, so we will see her down there for a coffee and cake.

We have a singer coming to us during June to help celebrate a 90th Birthday. Any excuse to have a party and dance.

During May - we said goodbye to one of our Cooks - Libby. Libby has bought her own cafe just a couple of miles away from us. So, if you get the chance to visit ‘Libby’s Cafe’ in Ash, Libby will be so pleased to see you again and serve you a delicious cake or brunch.