New corner shop opens at Astley View Care Home in Chorley
Astley View Care Home has opened its own corner shop following months of planning, research and consultation with residents.
The shop was officially opened by Shirley, the home’s longest-standing resident, who cut the ribbon in front of residents, family members and colleagues.
Open daily from 2pm to 4pm, the shop stocks sweets, chocolates, toiletries, gifts and other everyday essentials. Residents helped decide what should be available, with the shop designed to be accessible and useful to the people living at Astley View.
Any profits made by the shop will be added to the residents’ fund. This helps to pay for trips out, activity equipment and items for the home chosen by residents.
A postbox has also been installed outside the shop. Residents can write and post their own letters and cards, which the Astley View team will then make sure are sent.
The shop and postbox bring familiar parts of community life into the home. Visiting a shop, choosing what to buy, handling money and posting a letter can help residents retain their independence and continue ordinary routines.
Residents will also be able to take part in running the shop, including arranging displays, checking stock and suggesting new products for the shelves.
The opening was followed by an afternoon of live entertainment from singer Louis, with residents, families and colleagues joining in with the music and dancing.
Christina Durnan, Home Manager at Astley View, said: “Shirley was the perfect person to open our corner shop as our longest-standing resident. It was lovely to have residents, families and colleagues there to see her cut the ribbon and make the first purchases.
“A great deal of work has gone into the shop, including research and conversations with our residents about what they would like us to stock. Having somewhere to pick up toiletries, choose a favourite chocolate bar or post a letter may sound simple, but these are familiar parts of everyday life.
“Any profits will go directly into our residents’ fund, helping to pay for trips, activity equipment and things residents would like for their home. Every purchase will therefore contribute to something they can enjoy.”
The corner shop is the latest addition to Astley View’s programme of meaningful activities, which is shaped around residents’ interests, previous experiences and personal preferences.
Christina added: “We want Astley View to feel like home, and that means keeping the routines and experiences that matter to people. We hope the corner shop will become a useful and well-used part of daily life here.”
Astley View, on Berry Way in Chorley, provides residential, dementia, respite, convalescent, palliative and end-of-life care. If you are considering residential care, you can arrange a visit to Astley View through the home’s website at evermorecare.com.