AN elderly resident at Corn Mill Court has reached out to thank the care staff who go the extra mile for him and the other residents.

John Gorman has been at the Galashiels sheltered housing facility for almost five years and contacted the Border Telegraph to make the public aware of the special effort the staff made at Christmas time, as well as the work they do throughout the rest of the year.

He said: “What they did for everyone over Christmas was amazing and I just wanted people to know that. They organised a Christmas party and two Christmas dinners with all the trimmings, and the two chefs did fantastic.

“They also took those who wanted to go, out for a meal as well.

“Santa even came along to the party and gave us all presents,” John laughed. “I got a pipe cleaner for my pipe and some socks - I very happy with those.

“We had carol singers in from Gala Baptist Church on Christmas Eve and on New Years Day there was a pipe band in the lounge.

“We had a big tree and all the decorations were lovely. I watched the staff move around tables and furniture and set everything up for the dinner and they didn't seem to mind at all. They were doing all this on top of their jobs.

“Every year, they make Christmas such a nice celebration for everyone.”

John, who will celebrate his 90th birthday in April, praised the staff's hard work and genuine compassion they have for their jobs: “The staff are full of enthusiasm and lots of fun. Coming here is a huge adjustment for people but once you get used to it, you love it. They make you feel like a new person and you feel really safe and happy again.

“As long as the staff are recognised for what they do, not just at Christmas but all year, that is what's important to me. And Julie the manager is absolutely first class.

“You hear so many stories about bad care homes and I want to say that this is not one of them, this is surely one of the best. And the staff make it such a great place to live.”

Julie Pearson has been the manager at the St John Street residence since 2006 and strives to make the home as sociable a place as possible for the 40 residents there.

“All the residents still have their independence, they still have their own front doors,” she explained. “But we want to utilise the benefits of a set up like this and have people socialising and interacting as much as possible because it's good for their mental health.

“When I started 10 years ago, there were people who said to me that this place was like God's waiting room - that's not what we want.

“It's really important for us to make the move from home to here a positive adjustment and something the new residents feel good about.”

John is lucky in that he was visited by his family over Christmas, but for those that don't have any relatives left, the effort the carers make is extra important to them.

Julie said: “There was one guy who had really given up, he just wasn't mentally strong anymore. He was probably close to dying. But the parties we threw on Christmas and New Year just completely brightened him right up - the change in him was remarkable.

“So I'm very focussed on creating a sociable environment where people can have contact with others, as little or as much as they want.

“At Christmas, it's important to make sure everyone has as nice a time as possible. We just like having a big celebration – and I mean it's not just for them we have a great time too!” She laughed.

“I love my job and it's great to hear from people like John that we're getting it right.”