Set in five acres of parkland, Peasmarsh Place is a warm and welcoming care home with magnificent views over the Sussex countryside. It has a welcoming feel as you walk through the imposing doors into the reception area.
Monday, December 19 was the Christmas social for residents and their families. The hallway was decked out with a magnificent tree and echoed to the pulling of crackers and much laughter coming from the light and airy dining room which overlooks the park.
Julie Harper, the manager, explained the background of the care home: “Peasmarsh Place is the family home of Lord Devonport, who was actually born in one of the bedrooms on the ground floor. He grew up here and in the 1980s his family gave the house over for a retirement home for the elderly aged over 65. We are currently a residential care home with thirteen residents aged from 80 to 96.
“We are very lucky to have this beautiful place with many walks in the grounds. In the front hall we have a motorised wheelchair which gives our residents access to even more of the paths around the estate. They can go out with a member of staff or one of their relatives. There is a lovely arboretum for them to enjoy. I have been here for just over a year and during that time we have been building up a programme of different activities for the residents. There is plenty for them to do here in the house each day but they have requested short outings so, post-Covid, we have been making these happen. Our aim is to listen to and then implement what they would like to do.
“Today is our Christmas social so after a lovely meal with their relatives they will come into the lounge and be entertained by a singer – they all love a good sing-a-long – then we will have the judging of our staff bake-off. There will be a blind tasting and a winner will be chosen. We have a raffle and a tombola and this is one of the highlights of our Christmas.
“All the money raised today goes to the residents’ fund so that we can plan more things for everyone to be involved in. Hilary, our activities co-ordinator, runs activities Monday to Friday in the daytime and one of the popular events is discussions about their individual history: favourite places residents have been to or memories from their past. This means that we learn a bit more about each other and enjoy sharing our thoughts.
“We are trying to raise our profile: we have a beautiful location rather tucked away but not many people know that we are here. We can cater for couples as well as individuals, and for respite stays; so if someone has been in hospital after an operation or a fall, it is a half-way house before returning home.
“Most of the residents come from the local area and we encourage them to keep in touch with neighbours or groups that they used to belong to. It is lovely that we are a small care home because the staff get to know the residents very well and good, strong connections are fostered between us all. It is more like a family. It feels like a home not a care home. The residents love living here.”
Emma Stonham came to work at Peasmarsh Place in 2011. She commented, “I started as a carer eleven years ago and now I am an administrator. I love working here which is why I have stayed so long. I think we offer something different from other care homes. This isn’t a clinical environment, it has a lovely homely warm feel which is nice for our residents and their families.”
The lemon drizzle cake was chosen as the winner of the bake-off and Megan, the baker of the cake, was really thrilled.
Image Credits: Ky Bruce , Kt bruce , Martin Bruce .