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Wisteria Lodge - News

April 24th 2008
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The Mayor of Christchurch, Josephine Spencer, officially opened the doors to Dorset’s newest residential care home for the elderly, Wisteria Lodge.

Sitting at the top of Friars Cliff, within minutes from the beautiful Avon Beach, they have converted a private dwelling into a care home.

“It’s in a fabulous position up on the cliff,” explains Alexandra Waltham, the proprietor of Wisteria Lodge. “It’s got lovely grounds, lovely decorated rooms and a home from home environment.”

Alexandra runs Wisteria Lodge with her mother-in-law Rhona and husband Richard and between them they have extensive experience working within the care sector.

“All three of us are qualified nurses,” says Alexandra.

“Rhona has run and owned her own care homes for the last 35 years in North Wales. She’s moved down to be near us and has taken on the role as care home manager. She will be living on the premises as this is her home.”

“Richard and I are both ex-army nurses,” she adds. “We trained in the army. I went to the Gulf War the first time around and my husband went to Bosnia and Northern Ireland.

After this Richard went into accident and emergency and I went into midwifery.”

As well as impressive CV’s from these long careers in care and nursing, they believe that the personality of the team at Wisteria Lodge will make this a successful and happy residential home.

“We’re a small, intimate and family run home,” explains Alexandra. “And being such a small select residence we offer a high quality of care in beautiful surroundings, where you will have your right to privacy, dignity and respect whilst living and participating in a caring environment.”

Wisteria Lodge also gives its residents the opportunity to get outdoors and socialise together.

“We go out for walks and outings, we’re in such a great location for them,” says Alexandra. “My two daughters come in as well and the residents love to see them.

“They help with the lunches at the weekends. It’s very family orientated rather than institutionalised.”

Getting Wisteria Lodge open last week is largely attributed to the sterling efforts of Castlemain Construction Ltd in Mudeford, which Alexandra would like to thank them for.
“They made extensive alterations to the existing property and built a new extension. They specialise in alterations and extensions in line with current care standards to existing and new care homes and what they have done here is fabulous.”

If you would like more information on Wisteria Lodge, call them on 01425 272718.