Brunel House Care Home in the village of Box is responding to soaring energy costs with a new initiative inviting older people in to keep warm this winter.

Under the stewardship of the newly appointed Customer Relations Manager, Annabel O’Gorman, the home will be hosting drop-in sessions for elderly members of the local community, who may be struggling to keep their homes warm during cold weather, inviting them to come in and take advantage of the home’s comfortable and warm surroundings.

Community Liaison Manager Annabel O’Gorman said: “We know energy prices are going to be a huge worry for people this winter, especially older people living on fixed pension incomes. We wanted to do what we can to help those in our community get through this time.

“Many elderly people will be looking for a way to keep the cost of heating their homes as low as possible – and if they can come and join us for a few hours a week it might help keep those bills down a little.

“We are lucky to have such a beautiful, comfortable space and we look forward to sharing it. We can promise those coming along a very warm welcome in every sense.”

The drop-in sessions will be every Wednesday from 9.30am to 12.30pm with the possibility of another session down the line.

The step is part of a new chapter for the home and follows major investment in an improvement project and the appointment of a new leadership team.

The care home near Corsham, part of the nationwide Maria Mallaband Care Group (MMCG), has recently undergone a make-over with the complete refurbishment of the dementia care suite with upgraded facilities and design elements enabling the team to provide the highest quality of care.

As well as a new Community Liaison Manager, the home has welcomed new Home Manager, Rares Pop, and Deputy Home Manager, Dani Bentley, who will be driving forward with more improvements and community engagement.

Brunel House Care Home Manager, Rares Pop, said: “It is a great privilege to take the helm at this wonderful home, which has such brilliant facilities and a wonderful, committed, and skilled team.  We look forward, with continued investment and support from MMCG, to delivering even more for those living here with us, who are at the heart of everything we do.

“Our new dementia suite, designed in line with the latest evidence around dementia care, and with the same luxurious yet homely feel of the rest of the home, will mean we can more effectively meet the needs of people living with dementia and respond to a growing demand for high quality care in this community.

“Through welcoming in our elderly neighbours this winter, alongside a number of other initiatives and outreach work, we are looking forward to becoming an even more integral part of the fantastic community we serve.”

This well-established home, built in 2013, offers five-star accommodation for up to 65 people, and specialises in nursing, residential and dementia care. Its impressive accommodation includes a café, library, a hair salon, and individually designed en-suite bedrooms. This classically styled three-storey building sits in beautifully landscaped gardens in the heart of the stunning Box Valley.

Keir Dungo, Regional Director, said: “Brunel House is a stunning home with an enormous amount to offer, from the hotel style accommodation and elegant rooms, most with garden views, to the wonderful location, to the caring and compassionate team.

Following the refurbishment project and with a new leadership team at the helm, we are set to give everyone living here an even better experience. That’s what it’s all about for us.”