Bridgemead residents were delighted to welcome Bath’s MP, Wera Hobhouse on 14th February.
Wera understands the importance of excellent care for older people, having personal experience of her mother caring for her grandmother and her father over a long period. Wera said: “I have learnt how important it is to be patient and to enjoy what life there is.” She was very impressed that Bridgemead offers respite care, one of the only care homes in Bath to do so, to give carers a well deserved break.
Wera had visited Bridgemead for Jean Tranah’s 100th birthday party and was pleased to see her enjoying herself again. She also spoke to Iris Stanton who said; “It’s lovely here, I can recommend it. I love all the entertainment.” Maria Borkowski, a Day Club member told Wera that: “There’s always a lovely atmosphere here, it’s a beautiful home.”
Wera stressed the importance of good local services for local people, rather than anonymous big business taking on this work.
She heard about the link Bridgemead has with Widcombe Acorns pre-school. Bridgemead residents went to the pre-school and joined in with crafts there and the children and older people all had a great time. She heard about the need to get better transport links between the two organisations so that the young children can easily come and visit the residents at Bridgemead. “Intergenerational integration is so important,” she said. “I am very happy to support Bridgemead and have great empathy with many of your ideas. With an aging population we need to work at looking after older people well. This is a happy community here.”
