‘Every little helps’ at Phil Mead House
Phil Mead House held a Euros-theme tea party in July with cakes and raffle prizes donated by Tesco, as the result of a successful partnership between the home and its local stores in Walsgrave.
The partnership began when Phil Mead House’s activities coordinator, Hetty Francis, approached Tesco Community Champions, Melissa Hazell and Jayne Pepper, for prizes for the home’s 2023 Christmas raffle. Since then, Tesco has supplied the home with a whole host of donations, including Easter eggs and hot cross buns at Easter, flowers for the residents’ rooms and plants for the garden.
An additional benefit has been Tesco’s excellent links with local childminders and toddler groups, whom Hetty has invited in for weekly stay and play sessions. “Our residents love interacting with the kids,” says manager Lesley Costello, “and we can see significant improvements in their mood and general wellbeing as a result.”
The children were invited to the tea party, and there were also appearances from some alpacas, which delighted residents and guests alike.
Resident Emily McErlean said, “I thought the party was beautiful. I loved to see how the little children reacted to the animals.”
Melissa says, “Phil Mead House is certainly one of the more vibrant care homes we have visited and it has been especially lovely to see the residents get to know the children who come in and enjoy their time together.”
Why not volunteer with us?
We’re looking for caring individuals to join our team.
Whether you have a few hours a week or more, there’s a volunteering role to suit you. From gardening and befriending to admin support and trusteeship, your skills and time are valuable. No experience is necessary; we provide full training.
Let's make a difference together. Ready to get started? Find your local Abbeyfield and connect with them directly.
Read more Articles & News
14/08/2025
Shaping Inclusive Homes: Abdul’s story
To celebrate South Asian Heritage Month, we spoke with Abdul, Head of Development & Growth at ALS, about ensuring diverse homes for older people.
Read More
29/07/2025
Later life well lived: Five benefits to moving to a retirement living community earlier
At Abbeyfield we support residents who join us at any stage of later life, we often see the incredible benefits for those who choose to settle into retirement living in their 60s, 70s, or even 80s.
Read More
22/07/2025
Celebrating Good Care Month with Elvis, Care Assistant at Abbeyfield Winnersh
This Good Care Month, meet Elvis Ekhator, a dedicated Care Assistant at Abbeyfield Winnersh, find out more about what inspires his compassionate care, from helping create a warm home for residents to sharing his musical talent. See how his work enriches the lives of our residents.
Read More