The Caring Arms – Our very own pub at The Grange
“Fancy nipping down to the local for a pint?” For residents at The Grange, that’s now an option thanks to an imaginative project by the team at the care home in Tewkesbury.
They now have their very own pub, right on the premises.
For many of the residents, popping into their local, meeting friends and enjoying a pint, was something that they used to do regularly. So The Grange care home, decided there was no reason why residents couldn’t continue to enjoy the simple pleasure of a pint with friends. They’ve created their very own pub right on the premises. It’s all part of a plan by the care home team to give the residents as much choice and independence as possible. “We really have built a pub on our premises,” said Daniel Cronk, one of the lower floor dining rooms and a conservatory have been completely transformed.
The conservatory corridor has been used to create the exterior of the pub, with paving, hanging baskets, telephone box, pub door and street lighting and even a bus stop! “We wanted to enable residents to enjoy the whole experience of going to the pub, and it really does feel as if they are leaving the care home and going ‘somewhere else.’ That’s really important for residents to enjoy that change of scene and environment,” said group manager Natalie Bonner. The pub’s interior has been meticulously created. There’s wood panelling, bar stools, and a fully working bar complete with pumps. Residents can enjoy a pint of ale, as a well as a glass of whatever they fancy, whether that’s a small sherry or a quality malt. “It’s perfect,” said a resident “We’re playing dominoes and cards and having a laugh, and that’s good for all of us!” Creating the pub has also been an interactive experience for the residents.
They’ve enjoyed watching the transformation take place, have had discussions about décor, and the name of the pub, The Caring Arms has even been chosen by residents.
With the pub sign now swinging above the door, the only question that remains is “whose round is it?”
