Sheffield Care Home Marks 30 Years with a Caribbean Themed Celebration

Twelve Trees Care Home in Sheffield marked a major milestone this week as residents, families, staff and members of the local community came together to celebrate 30 years of care.

The anniversary celebration took place on Wednesday 8 July with a bright and colourful Caribbean carnival-themed summer fayre. Guests enjoyed games, costumes, raffle prizes, music and entertainment, creating what can only be described as a day to remember.

A highlight of the day was the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by The Master Cutler, marking three decades of service to the community. Guests were also treated to a lively performance when he gave an unexpected rendition of Elvis Presley's Burning Love, alongside entertainment from local performers Mandy and Sean.

The event was enjoyed by residents, their families, the local community and many people from across the wider Twelve Trees group.

Celebrating with colour, music and community spirit

Throughout the year, residents are taking part in 30 activities they have never tried before, with the choices made by the residents themselves. The anniversary fayre formed part of those wider celebrations and reflected the home's focus on fun, friendship and community involvement.

Staff played a central role in preparing for the day, creating games, making costumes, decorating the home and donating prizes for the raffle. A great deal of hard work went into making the celebration special, with team members working tirelessly in warm weather to ensure residents and visitors could enjoy the occasion.

Home Manager Nicola Smith said she felt incredibly proud of the Twelve Trees team. She said the greatest reward was seeing the smiles on residents' faces and watching everyone come together to celebrate.

A few special mentions to those who went above and beyond:

Sammie: the balloons alone deserve a medal. A heroic effort, and we promise not to mention the word balloon for a very long time. Thank you so much.

Glynis: who very rudely decided to be on a cruise whilst all the preparations were under way! She did come in on the day of the fayre though, and her support was genuinely appreciated.

Graham: simply put, we couldn't have done it without him. He was swinging from lamp posts and climbing trees to get the decorations up, and thank you will never quite seem enough.

Helen: thank you for working tirelessly in the heat to bake all the delicious food. You are amazing.

A very special thank you also goes to The Master Cutler for unveiling our 30 Years of Outstanding Care plaque. It was a proud and memorable moment for everyone at Twelve Trees.

And to Mandy and Sean, thank you for putting on such a fantastic performance and keeping everyone entertained throughout the day.

"It is about people"

In a speech reflecting on the home's history, Director Simon Mills said the secret to reaching 30 years was simple: "We love what we do, and our teams are simply amazing."

He praised staff across every part of the organisation, including care, housekeeping, catering, maintenance, administration, management and finance, for their dedication, resilience and compassion through both good times and difficult periods, including the challenges of Covid.

Mr Mills also reflected on the early days of Twelve Trees, describing the home as welcoming, progressive and full of potential. He credited those who came before him for their vision, including features such as en-suite rooms, a lift to all floors and a commercial kitchen at a time when many care homes did not have them.

In 2002, Twelve Trees cared for 28 residents and employed around 25 staff. Since then, the organisation has grown significantly, expanding beyond the care home to provide home care, day care, respite care and live-in care services.

The Twelve Trees group now employs around 150 dedicated staff and supports a similar number of people through its services, including Meadowbrook Manor in Leeds and clients across a wider geographical area, including London.

Despite that growth, Mr Mills said the organisation's guiding principles remain the same: compassion, experience and exceptional care.

"While we celebrate our achievements today, our success has never been about buildings, numbers or services," he said. "It is about people. It is about the residents who have trusted us, the families who have placed their confidence in us, and the staff who continue to give so much of themselves every day."

Thanks to everyone involved

Twelve Trees would like to thank everyone who helped make the anniversary event possible, including those who donated, baked, decorated, performed, bought raffle tickets, supported the home, or simply came along with a smile.

Mr Mills added: "To every current and former colleague, every resident, family member and friend of Twelve Trees, thank you. You have all played a part in our story and in helping us reach this remarkable milestone."

As Twelve Trees celebrates 30 years of care, friendship and community, the team is looking forward with excitement and optimism to everything still to come.