A care home has built an entire ‘village’ to help residents maintain their independence thanks to a generous donation.
Three summer houses at Hollins Park Care Home on Victoria Road have been converted into a pub, cafe and shop, thanks to Doris Marsden, who left some money to the home in her will.
Doris’s son Alan, who had Down’s Syndrome, was cared for at the home for many years.
Doris, who lived in Wilmslow with her husband Chris, was so happy with the care he received she decided to leave a legacy to the home, which in turn was spent on the new village.
Julie Lee, who is married to Doris’s nephew Stewart Lee, was invited to the opening ceremony of the new village.
She said Doris was quiet but would have had a ‘sparkly glint in her eye’ at the sight of the village.
She said: “Doris would have been absolutely made up with what the have done. It’s absolutely marvellous. They showed us around and we had a look at everything they have done, it’s wonderful.”
She added: “Doris was so happy with the way they cared for Alan. She was nearly blind and had to get two buses to visit him and they were always so welcoming to her.
“She was very content knowing he was well cared for.”
Julie, who attended the event with her daughter Alexandra, also spotted a cabinet in the newly opened ‘Doris’s Cafe’ which she believes may have even belonged to Doris.
She said: “I noticed cabinet in Doris’s cafe and I think it may have been on that we donated to a charity shop in Wilmslow. If it’s not the same one it’s very similar. I’m 95percent certain it was hers. It’s very spooky - it gave me shivers down my spine when I saw it.”
Julie said another eerie coincidence was the fact that an old pot with Alan's name on it was also unearthed by builders as they carried out work on the site.
The celebrations at Hollins Park coincided with Care Home Open Day where visitors enjoyed a barbecue and live entertainment. Mayor of Macclesfield Alift Harewood-Jones cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony.
Julie Okhae, home manager at Hollins Park, said: “We are very grateful to our benefactor for such a generous donation to the care home. We were delighted to use the funds to create a new outdoor area which will play an important part in supporting residents at Hollins Park to lead independent, fulfilled lives; and it is hoped many will play an active role in running the outlets sometime in the future.”
