This section of our website is dedicated to the latest news stories from St Mary’s Court residential care home in Braintree, Essex, including reports and photos about events we have organised for residents, how our care home in Braintree is performing, and more.
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World War II hero celebrates 100th birthday by meeting great-great-grandnephew for the first time
A Women’s Auxiliary Air Force veteran who fixed Spitfires and raised barrage balloons during the blitz has met her great-great-grandnephew for the first time to celebrate her 100th birthday.
Kitty Taylor was able to meet seven-month-old Rupert Marshall through a Covid-secure screen and reminisce about her incredible life with two of her nephews at St Mary’s Court care home in Braintree after more than a year of restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kraig Donald said:
“My auntie’s an amazing woman who has seen so much over 100 years. Although she has developed dementia, she remembers much about World War II and the vital role she played.”
Kitty was born and raised in West London and was 19 when war broke out. She joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force upon its formation and was assigned to raise barrage balloons over Borough High Street to stop the advance of German bombers during the blitz.
Kraig said: “She remembers vividly running across London Bridge during an air raid as flak rained down over the city. During the day, she’d be on the rooftops spotting for planes. She’s an incredibly brave woman.”
Kitty was transferred to Liverpool to train other women in barrage defences during the Liverpool Blitz and became recognised for her technical skills, so was sent to Oxford to help fix Spitfire and Mosquito aircraft for the rest of the war.
Kraig said: “She’s always been a little annoyed that the women of the WAAF didn’t receive medals or recognition for their hard work, but she was so proud to have served her country.”
Kitty travelled all over the world after the war, including to Germany to lament over the devastation, and worked in the Putney Telephone Exchange until her retirement in the 1980s. She then moved to Sible Hedingham, Essex, with her husband William Taylor to be closer to Kraig, whose father served on the nearby US airbase, and his family.
Following William’s death, Kitty lived on her own until 2018 when she moved to St Mary’s Court care home.
Julia Clinton, CEO of Sonnet Care Homes, said:
“Current social distancing rules allowed Kitty to hold hands with Kraig and see his brother, Kier, and the son of their niece through a Covid-secure screen, which made her very excited. She was also over the moon to receive a letter from the Queen.
“We are blessed to have Kitty as part of the St Mary’s Court family and are pleased we were able to help her celebrate reaching 100-years-old with those close to her.”
To find out more about dementia, specialist and nursing care at St Mary’s Court, call 01376 328600 or email info@sonnetcarehomes.co.uk
Kitty with her great-great-grandnephew Rupert behind a Covid-secure screen at St Mary’s Court care home.
Kitty in her wartime uniform.
Kitty reading her letter from the Queen after turning 100.
All images copyright: Kraig Donald.
St Mary’s Court praised for ‘going extra mile’ in providing compassionate end of life care
Judges of a prestigious national award recognising exceptional quality of care for those in the later stages of their lives have praised the compassionate teams at two Braintree care homes for ‘going the extra mile’ with their residents. Read More
Our latest residents and relatives survey results for 2020 are out
The team at St Mary’s Court care home are delighted with the results of the our most recent independent residents and relatives survey. Read More
St Mary’s Court’s got talent to entertain care home residents
Staff at our Braintree care home have unveiled an array of musical talent to entertain residents during the coronavirus lockdown. Read More
Keep your distance from care home staff to keep residents safe
Staff at our Braintree Dementia care home have been issued with special badges asking people to keep their distance – to help protect vulnerable residents from the coronavirus. Read More
Celebrating and sharing memories of VE Day
Residents of St Mary’s Court care home in Braintree had a fantastic garden party to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE Day. Read More
St Mary’s Court Coronavirus Statement
The health, safety and wellbeing of our residents and staff team are always our top priorities. We have therefore put in place robust and comprehensive contingency plans to prepare for, and respond to, the coronavirus outbreak in the UK. Our plans will be kept under regular review and updated as advised by the Government, Public Health England and associated advisory bodies. Read More
Six of the best: Dedicated care home team shortlisted for six awards
Dedicated staff from St Mary’s Court Care Home in Braintree were shortlisted for no less than six different awards. Terri Pike was a finalist for the Care Home Manager Award at the Great British Care Awards, Eastern Region, and Matron Joan Sirett was shortlisted for the Frontline Leader award. Read More
Gold award for Braintree nursing care home
St Mary’s Court Care Home has become the first in Braintree to be commended by the National Gold Standards Framework (GSF) for the quality of care it provides to residents in the last years of their lives. Read More
Activities at St Mary’s Court voted best in UK
Activities Manager Jo Whitehouse has won a prestigious national award for her work providing a fun, creative and varied programme of activities to enhance the lives of care home residents in Braintree.
St Mary’s give the gift of water
The team at St Mary’s Court residential care home were delighted to provide the gift of fresh water to a Zimbabwe community. Read More
St Mary’s Court wins awards for food AND fun
A passion for providing delicious and nutritious food and a varied programme of activities to promote wellbeing has won awards for our Braintree Dementia care home. Read More
Award for Activities Manager brightening residents’ lives
Activities Manager Jo Whitehouse has won a prestigious award for her work providing a creative and varied programme of activities to brighten the lives of care home residents in our Care home in Braintree. Read More
St Mary’s Court supports Alzheimer’s Society raising £1,000 on Memory Walk
Caring staff, friends and family from St Mary’s Court residential care home have raised nearly £1,000 after taking part in a Memory Walk. Read More
St Mary’s Court are celebrating success
The team at St Mary’s Court residential care home in Braintree are celebrating after being shortlisted for not one, not two but 12 national and regional care awards. Read More
Our Braintree care homes look blooming lovely
The gardens at St Mary’s Court residential care home in Braintree have bloomed and come to life, thanks to a make-over from two groups of young volunteers.
St Mary’s Court care home celebrates the Royal Wedding in style
Staff, residents and their families celebrated and watched the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle in the stunning sunshine of our beautiful gardens at St Mary’s Court. Read More
Santa’s Elves from St Mary’s Court Raise Money for Alzheimer’s
Donning the jolly green outfits of Santa’s little helpers, staff from our Braintree specialist care home put on a festive spectacle at Braintree Freeport. Read More
More award wins and award for caring chef is icing on the cake
Staff at our specialist Braintree care home have won more recognition for their quality service – scooping two highly commended awards and an overall winner at the Prosper Essex Care Sector Awards. Read More
Care home scoops three more prestigious awards
St Mary’s Court care home in Bocking, Braintree has scooped three more awards, being judged Care Employer of the Year for the second year running.
Dedicated care home staff shortlisted for more awards
Staff at our specialist Braintree care home are on a roll after being shortlisted for three awards at The Prosper Essex Care Sector Awards. Read More
St Mary’s Court care home staff bid farewell to summer medieval-style
Residents of The St Mary’s Court care home in Braintree and their families travelled back in time to enjoy a spectacular final outdoor event of the summer. Read More
Care homes shortlisted for three esteemed national awards
St Mary’s Court and The New Deanery residential care homes in Braintree have been shortlisted for not one, not two, but three accolades at the National Care Awards. Read More
Dancing Grannies steal the show at St Mary’s Court Summer Fete
A dance-off between the ‘Dancing Grannies’ and the ‘Honey G’s’ was the highlight of the Sonnet Care Homes Summer Fete in Bocking. Read More
Father’s Day football fun supports cancer charity
A Father’s Day football match and BBQ helped raise funds for a prostate cancer charity. The event was organised at the New Deanery and St Mary’s Court residential care homes in Bocking to give residents’ and their families an enjoyable afternoon in the sun, with live entertainment from singer Gary Oliver. Read More
Teddy Bears’ Picnic at St Mary’s Court helps Braintree baby
A Teddy Bears’ Picnic helped raise funds for a special Braintree baby with a rare chromosome disorder. The children’s day was organised at the New Deanery and St Mary’s Court residential care homes in Bocking to give residents’ grandchildren and families a fun day out with their loved ones. Read More
Braintree Care homes raise money for dementia charity
More than £180 has been raised by residents of the award-winning New Deanery and St Mary’s Court care homes in Bocking, and their families, at a fun quiz night. The event, which attracted over 40 people, was organised by the homes’ resident Activities Manager Jo Whitehouse and her team, and held during national Dementia Awareness Week. Read More
Survey of residents and relatives 2016
In May/June this year we repeated our survey of residents and their relatives. We did this in order to understand what people think about the care and services we provide and to help inform our ongoing improvement plans. Read More
Two prestigious national awards for our Bocking care home
The New Deanery and St Mary’s Court residential care homes near Braintree are celebrating having won two prestigious National Care Awards at a glittering ceremony at the Hilton London Metropole
Home Manager at The New Deanery, Jane Sadowski scooped the top award in the Care Leadership 2016 category and Head of Housekeeping Ieva Bagurske was named as Care Housekeeper 2016, on 25 November.
Ieva impressed the judges with their report stating: “Ieva has used her background in hotel services to transform housekeeping in a person-centred way. This has been achieved by coaching and role modeling, quality standards, making a difference through choice, innovation and outstanding customer service.” Read More
St Mary’s Court care team nominated for more care awards
The teams from St Mary’s Court and The New Deanery care homes in Bocking near Braintree are celebrating having reached the final stages at two prestigious care industry awards in an impressive 10 categories.
But that’s not all: Sonnet Care Homes, which runs them, has been shortlisted for the Care Employer Award at The Great British Care Awards, East of England Region, bringing the ‘finalists’ tally to 11.
Braintree carers Brave the Shave for charity
Two dedicated carers St Mary’s Court care home in Bocking took the selfless and courageous step of shaving their hair to raise over £1,000 for Macmillan Cancer Research.
On 20 September Yasmin Grey and Dawn Potter chose to join the thousands of people across the country that have taken part in the charity’s Brave the Shave campaign which has already raised over £3 million.
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Essex tribute band bring joy to Braintree care home
Residents, families and the team at The New Deanery and St Mary’s Court care homes, near Braintree, took advantage of great weather and their extensive grounds to dance through the decades thanks to music from multi tribute act Recollections.
It is not the first time the act has played at the home – it has proved so popular with residents that the activities team asked them back and they were not disappointed. Read More
Summer fun at our Bocking care home
Residents and staff at the St Mary’s Court care home in Bocking made the most of summer with two successful fundraising events – a Summer Fete and a Children’s Fun Day, raising £375 for Mencap and £183 for Childline respectively.
Friends and family also attended the Summer Fete and enjoyed a tombola, traditional games such as a coconut shy and hook-a-duck, music from the Essex Pipers and Drum Band, Vocal Reflections Choir and Barber Shop Quartet with the proceeds going to Mencap.
Braintree Care home residents enjoy a night out at the races
A fantastic night was had by residents and staff from St Mary’s Court residential care home in Bocking when they went to Chelmsford City Racecourse, as part of the home’s varied activities programme.
The idea of the evening out for residents at the care home was suggested by St Mary’s Court resident Malcolm Whitehead, who is an ex bookie.
Braintree dementia care home passes on the baton in Relay with Care
Residents and staff from The New Deanery and St Mary’s Court residential care homes, in Bocking, took part in a charity relay across Essex. The relay baton travelled across the county over five days, visiting 35 care homes along the way and was brought to St Mary’s Court care home, Braintree on 2nd August.
St Mary’s Court care home residents entertained on Spanish themed day
From Flamenco dancing to tasty paella, residents and staff from The New Deanery care home in Bocking, enjoyed a spectacular Spanish fiesta held in the home’s stunning 10 acre grounds. The residents and their families, who attended on the 31 July, tucked into a delicious lunch of paella, tapas, a barbeque and refreshing sangria, whilst enjoying Spanish dancing and music.
Shetland ponies are the mane attraction at our Bocking care home
Residents and staff from St Mary’s Court residential care home in Braintree had a delightful surprise when they were visited by two Shetland ponies named Rosie and Bonnie.
The two ponies, supplied by Magical Miniature Ponies, visited the care home, and sister care home The New Deanery on the 29 June and residents were overjoyed to see them.
A royal celebration at St Mary’s Court care home for the Queen’s 90th birthday
Residents and staff from St Mary’s Court residential care home in Bocking marked the Queen’s 90th Birthday with a glorious garden party set in the home’s stunning 10 acre grounds.
The event was a real celebration with those attending enjoying a British spread of tea, cakes, scones and salmon and cucumber sandwiches. Read More
St Mary’s Court care home in Bocking is praised in latest CQC inspection report
In the past 15 months, under the ownership of Sonnet Care Homes, St Mary’s Court care home has gone from strength-to-strength and is now rated as ‘good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), with a rating of ‘outstanding’ for leadership.
In the CQC’s latest report (April 2016) the care home was judged to be ‘outstanding’ in the ‘well-led’ section of the report and ‘good’ in the sections which check safety, effectiveness, care and responsiveness.
New national award for the team at St Mary’s Court
The St Mary’s Court care home in Bocking beat off fierce competition from across England to triumph in the category of Most Effective Approach to Leadership and Management, at the government-backed Skills for Care Accolades awards.
The accolades, which reward companies who are committed to providing high quality care and developing their workforce, were held at a glamorous ceremony in Birmingham on the 10th March, hosted by Jennie McAlpine of Coronation Street fame.
Bocking care homes named as finalists for national awards
St Mary’s Court and The New Deanery care homes in Bocking near Braintree have been named as finalists at the government backed Skills for Care Accolades, which reward companies who are committed to providing high quality care and developing their workforce.
The care homes are shortlisted in the final three nationally in the Most Effective Approach to Leadership and Management category.
St Mary’s Court staff to receive the Living Wage
Braintree based Sonnet Care Homes, which operates St Mary’s Court care home has announced its decision to increase rates of pay to a minimum of £7.25, ahead of the Government’s introduction of the National Living Wage of £7.20, which comes into force from the 1st April 2016.
Four care award nominations for our Braintree care home
St Mary’s Court residential care home in Braintree, as well as it’s sister home, The New Deanery have been named as finalists at both The National Care Awards 2015 and The Great British Care Awards’ East of England Region, which recognise the very best people in the long-term care sector.
Julia Clinton, the CEO of parent company Sonnet Care Homes, has been selected as a finalist for the Care Leadership award at The National Care Awards 2015, nominated by senior figures within the care sector for the improvements that have been made at The New Deanery in the past year.
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National award nomination for Braintree care company CEO
The CEO of Braintree-based Sonnet Care Homes,which manages The St Mary’s Court care home Julia Clinton, has been selected as a finalist for the Care Leadership award at The National Care Awards 2015.
As the CEO of Sonnet Care Homes, the parent company of The New Deanery and St Mary’s Court residential care homes in Bocking, Julia has been nominated by senior figures within the care sector for the improvements that have been made at The New Deanery in the past year.
Resident Grace celebrates her 102nd birthday
They say age is just a number and for Grace Blangy, resident at our residential care home in Braintree, that number is 102.
Celebrating her birthday in style, on the 9th October, Grace was joined by the care workers at St Mary’s Court care home for a tasty lunch in the luxurious gardens. Read More
Staff complete six mile Memory Walk and raise over £1,500 for Alzheimer’s Society
On Saturday 26 September staff and relatives of residents from The New Deanery and St Mary’s Court residential care homes near Braintree, completed a six mile Memory Walk, raising over £1,500 for the Alzheimer’s Society.
Dancing through the decades at Braintree care home
Residents and staff at The New Deanery and St Mary’s Court residential care homes, near Braintree, enjoyed music from the 40’s through to the 00’s when multi tribute act Recollections provided entertainment for all.
Family and friends joined residents as Saul Watts and Pollie Hall from the tribute act filled The New Deanery’s stunning 10 acre gardens with hits from the likes of Elvis Presley, John Travolta, Olivia Newton John, Amy Winehouse and many more.
Team from St Mary’s Court raise funds for Alzheimer’s Society
On Saturday 26 September staff and relatives of residents from St Mary’s Court and The New Deanery residential care homes near Braintree set off on a six mile Memory Walk to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.
During the month Memory Walks are taking place across the UK in a bid to raise money for a world without dementia. People of all abilities can come together to recognise those affected by dementia by raising money for the cause.
Braintree care worker braves the shave
After losing her mother to cancer nearly two years ago, Angie Fuller, who is a Care Worker at St Mary’s Court residential care home in Braintree, wanted to give a little something back to a cancer charity, so she decided to shave her hair.
On Tuesday (21 July), at Vintage Glamour beauty Salon in Braintree, Angie’s daughter, who works at the salon, shaved her mother’s head as part of Macmillan Cancer Support’s ‘Brave the Shave’ campaign.
Braintree care home rocks on 50s fun day
Swinging along to the sounds of the 50s, residents of St Mary’s Court and neighbouring The New Deanery care homes in Bocking enjoyed a rock ‘n roll barbecue and vintage car show.
Family and friends joined in as dancers Tony and Rose Bowers, from Mr Dickie Bow’s, put on a show in the homes’ spacious 10-acre gardens. Residents and guests enjoyed entertainment from the ‘Mama Don’t Dance’ band.
Our Braintree care home gets top marks
An ‘Armed Forces’ day held at our residential care home in Bocking near Braintree helped residents and their families reminisce while allowing friends and families to share a special day.
Residents enjoyed the secure 10 acre gardens which are now in full bloom, admiring a World War II tank, which had been brought along to add to the ambience. An air raid hut, complete with contents, a wartime 750cc BMW flathead motorbike, which would have been used to escort the tanks during the war, and staff in costume completed the theme.
Survey of residents and relatives 2015
In our most recent Residents and Relatives Survey, St Mary’s Court and neighbouring The New Deanery scored top marks for providing a caring service. Everyone who completed the survey, commissioned by Sonnet Care Homes and undertaken by an independent company, also said we were effective in meeting our residents’ needs and that we provided support when needed and professional care.
KCR Star: January 2015
Susan Hammond, Care Assistant, Oak Unit:
Susan was nominated by Mystie Powell who said that she is especially kind to residents who remain in their rooms, spending time with them and always being cheerful.
