RESIDENTS of an elderly care centre now have a new place to call home following an official renaming ceremony.
North Park Care Centre’s new middle floor name was revealed by Deputy Mayor and Mayoress Brian Jones and Doris Jones at an official plaque unveiling at the Darlington care home.
The newly christened Park Lane floor, which is home to 21 elderly men and women, was chosen by residents after working alongside Darlington College health and social care students on a new identity.
Care home manager Mark Culley said: “Our residents and their relatives were very keen that our middle floor unit was given a proper name to make it sound more homely.
“Our Darlington College students spent a lot of time talking to residents, asking them about their favourite things, hobbies, memories, colours and places before giving us a shortlist of name suggestions to put to the vote at our residents/relatives meeting in May.
“Park Lane was a unanimous decision as we are next to a park.”
Residents, staff and students all gathered for the official naming ceremony which coincided with National Care Home Day, which saw members of the local community, health professionals, social service representatives and relatives invited to enjoy tea and cakes, a raffle and musical entertainment.
Level 2 diploma student Brittany Adamson, 16, of Darlington, said: “Once we had spoken to the residents we had a full A4 list of words, phrases, song titles and favourite places, which we managed to shortlist.
“It was really nice just sitting down and taking the time to talk to people here and find out a bit more about them like what they had done and where they had been in the past.”
Amelia Parker, 17, of Darlington, who has also completed her Level 2 diploma in health and social care, added: “I think it is a nice choice of name and obviously means a lot to the people here.
“It feels really good to have been involved in the re-naming project knowing that we have helped to give people a good name to call home.”
For more information on opportunities at Darlington College visit www.darlington.ac.uk.
