87 year old Eva Matthews moves into the area’s most modern care facility.

This week Leeds’ newest care home, Oak Tree Lodge welcomed its first resident Mrs Eva Matthews into her new home.

Mrs Matthews, who was born in Tadcaster, married just after the Second World War and moved to London where she worked as a dental nurse, and for William Hill as a telephonist. A large part of her working life was as a civil servant which she loved. Mrs Matthews has one son and two grandchildren. She was joined for the celebration by Mr Harry Caley who has also recently moved into the home.

Mrs Matthews was presented with a bouquet of flowers by Ideal Care Homes Managing Director, Mark Greaves, and a celebratory bottle of champagne by Oak Tree Lodge Manager Carolyn Wagstaff.

Mark Greaves, Managing Director of Ideal Care Homes said:

“We never under estimate what a big step it is moving into a new environment, but I know that Carolyn and her team of carers will go to every length to make sure the move for all our residents is as smooth as possible.”

Since the public open day on Sunday 18 ^th March there has been massive interest in Oak Tree Lodge which is a testament to Ideal Care Homes’ offer of affordable, quality care and also the demand for care in the Leeds area.

All 33 homes in the Ideal Care Homes group welcome both private and Local Authority residents, and do not charge top-up fees making the homes great places providing quality care that people can afford to live in. 

Pictured: From left to right Home Manager Carolyn Wagstaff, Mr Caley’s Niece Susan Roberts, Mark Greaves Managing Director of Ideal Care Homes

In a themed Coronation Street morning brunch serving up treats from Roy’s Rolls!

Television actor Alan Halsall, better known as Coronation Street’s hapless mechanic Tyrone Dobbs, left the cobbles of Coronation Street on Saturday to visit residents at Bulwell care home, Fairway View. Along with his real-life wife and British actress, Lucy-Jo Hudson - best known for her role as Katy Harris in Coronation Street, and as vet Rosie Trevanion in Wild At Heart; Alan sat down to a Roy’s Rolls brunch with the home’s residents where they enjoyed tucking into the delights as served up in the ITV soap.

The actors mingled with residents and their families, and signed memorabilia and autographs. Residents took part in a raffle to win a signed copy of ‘50 Years of Coronation Street’, whilst Lucy-Jo was presented with a bunch of flowers by Fairway View residents who are avid fans of the ITV soap.

Alan commented: “Lucy-Jo and I were delighted to visit residents at Fairway View. It provides a valuable service to the local community so it was an absolute pleasure for us to be part of it, and to meet the residents and staff who work there.”

Fairway View, which offers a home for 41 people living with dementia, is part of the Leeds based Ideal Care Homes and boasts 100% en-suite accommodation, landscaped sensory gardens and a hairdressing salon.  The group stands for innovation and quality in its provision of care, and charges no top-up fees making their homes places people can afford.

Ideal Care Homes prides itself on being a great place to live. Leading voice in the health care sector and a man responsible for changing the face of residential care in the UK today, Lawrence Tomlinson, Chairman and Founder of the Ideal Care Homes said:

“Holding an event like this creates a great atmosphere in the home for both the people who live with us and their loved ones.  It is a real pleasure for us to have Alan and Lucy- Jo take time out of their busy schedules to come and visit us. Everyone has had a really great day and thrown themselves into the Coronation Street theme.”

Fairway View, which is situated on Swale Close off St Albans Road, Bulwell, is one of 33 homes opened by Ideal Care Homes: it was built by sister company LNT Construction, both part of the LNT Group owned by Mr Tomlinson.