Resident Jane opens new shop at Hawkinge House Care Home in Folkestone

Hartford Care resident Jane Barrow is the proud new shopkeeper of the newly-expanded residents’ shop at Hawkinge House care home, where she has resided since July last year. Jane has a background in retail; the home’s original, small sweet shop needed someone to run it and when she offered to take a leading role, the staff moved the existing shop location to a much bigger, safe space more suitable to Jane’s requirements and to accommodate the increase in stock.

Jane has transformed the shop, alongside the other residents and with assistance from Hawkinge House’ activity staff. Jane purchases a lot of the stock herself and residents can now buy sweets, crisps, chocolate bars, greetings cards, t-shirts and essentials such as toothbrushes, shower gels, cotton wool pads and bath sponges. Jane has help from fellow resident Tracy Bryant in running the shop, and while Tracy hasn’t had any retail experience previously, she is thoroughly enjoying being involved in the project.

In addition, Jane, Tracy and other residents have been busy making hand-made jewellery to sell, and they have also purchased water bottles and photo frames from online retailers which they have decorated themselves to add to their stock.

Jane says:

“I’ve very much enjoyed taking over as Hawkinge House’s shopkeeper. The new shop has been very popular with the rest of the residents and I’m very grateful to Zoe on the activities team for her support. My favourite thing about it is the opportunity to be creative and make our own, original things to sell.”

Shelly Watson, Home Manager of short term care at Hawkinge House, comments:

“Jane and Tracy have been working incredibly hard on the shop, and it’s been wonderful getting many of the other residents involved in making things. Some of the proceeds from the shop go into the residents’ kitty, which funds more supplies for their crafting and personalising, and in turn, more items to stock.”

Hawkinge House Care Home in Hawkinge, near Folkestone, is a modern, purpose-built home offering residential care, 24-hour nursing care, respite care and specialist dementia support across its 184 contemporary, self-contained studio suites, including a dedicated dementia floor providing specialist 24-hour care.

Each of the 184 studio suites come fully furnished and are designed to support independence while ensuring round the clock care. Residents have several lounges to relax in, or can take part in group activities with friends and the south-facing gardens offer beautiful views and plenty of space to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.