Inspirational guests visit Glenside Manor to open new facility

Date: 25 January 2008

Glenside Manor were delighted to welcome back on site two special guests, Elizabeth Bartlett and Ian West to officially open a new multi-sensory room which was built with a recently awarded council grant of £10,400. The ribbon was cut on 23 January by Elizabeth, who runs Salisbury and District Branch of the Alzheimer's Society and Ian, a County Councillor for Wilton and Wylye.

The room is located in the Limetree Building of the ever-growing Glenside Manor, owned by Denis and Clare Barry. This spacious and homely building has many carers and nurses who are specialists in dementia care for older adults and the room is used as part of on-going therapy sessions.

The room is designed to provide a feeling of well-being and to stimulate the senses with special light lanterns, a multi-colour water bubble column, and other brightly coloured light curtains and projections. With space for several armchairs, the room has musical equipment such as drum machines for the more lively or the sounds of birdsong & relaxing music for a more relaxed visit. It also has vibrating foot rests and cushions which are designed to aid relaxation and there are even different scents in the air.

After the opening Denis said “It is wonderful to be able to offer this new facility and we are honoured that Ian and Elizabeth could come and share this moment with us. Elizabeth’s important work in the community and her lifetime’s commitment to dementia and Alzheimer’s care made her the perfect person for the job.”

An Introduction to Glenside Manor - Jan 2008

Glenside Manor Healthcare Services Limited was established by Denis and Clare Barry, who have been passionate about providing quality care services in Wiltshire since 1982. Since its beginning as just one care home, new modern units have been constructed and neighbouring historic buildings purchased to make the site what it is today. The busy, yet restful site has evolved into a community all of its own. One of the units, Lime Tree provides specialist dementia care to older adults, whereas the many other buildings provide specialist neuro-rehabilitation for adults form age 18 - 65 with acquired or traumatic brain injuries. The latest and most obvious development is the new hospital which can be seen from the road, eventually there will be a shop and the cafe open to anyone

The expansion means that Glenside will increase its employees from 200 closer to the 300 figure, and it is hoped that most will come from neighbouring towns and villages in South Wiltshire. Clare and Denis have always maintained a people centred business and the care that is provided is second to none. With a team of business managers, nursing and care staff, clinicians and therapists who genuinely are committed to providing the very best level of service. In 2007 and 2008 the company was delighted to be placed among the Nursing Times Top 100 organisations for nurses to work in. The clinical specialists on site include teams of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Clinical Psychologists, Social Workers, a Consultant Psychiatrist and a Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine. There are also on-site maintenance teams, a gardener and laundry and kitchen staff.

Denis and Clare are active in the South Newton community so if you live in the village or are moving here, there will no-doubt be opportunities to meet them if you haven’t already done so. To read more about Glenside Manor please visit www.glensidemanor.co.uk.