Latest news

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

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.

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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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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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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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.

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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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.