Care South’s Community Fund donates £1,000 to St Paul’s Church

The church is the latest beneficiary of the Care South Community Fund after being nominated by Lauren Taylor, Home Manager of Buxton House. The Care South Community Fund gives back to community groups, services and organisations which directly benefit Care South’s care home residents, care at home clients or staff.

Father Gregory of St Paul’s Church leads a bi-weekly service at Buxton House, which is attended by 20 – 30 residents who congregate to celebrate their Christian faith, as well as attending the home for residents who request his support during their end-of-life care. Father Gregory and members of the church community also visit the home to mark special occasions throughout the year including Easter and Christmas.

Residents from Buxton House will also be volunteering at the church’s own Warm Welcome initiative, which encourages Weymouth residents at risk of loneliness and isolation to get together while enjoying hot food, hot drinks, and board games.

Phil Smith, Director of Residential Care, said: “At Care South, we are committed to supporting our local communities and the wellbeing of our residents. St Paul’s Church plays a vital role in providing comfort, companionship, and spiritual support to Buxton House residents. We are delighted to contribute to their ongoing efforts through our Community Fund, helping to ensure that more people can benefit from the warmth and inclusivity that the church offers.”

Phil handed over the donation to Father Gregory of St Paul’s Church in Weymouth alongside Lauren Taylor with assistance from some residents at Buxton House.

Father Gregory said: “We are so grateful for this generous donation from Care South which helps us to reach more people in the community. Leading the services at Buxton House is a huge privilege and I find it so rewarding. The residents are lovely, and they get so much out of the hymns and prayers, including the residents with dementia as it triggers their memory. As a Church of England church, we welcome people of all faiths as we believe everyone should feel supported and enabled to worship together.”

Lisa, who lives at Buxton House, said: “I was brought up as a Catholic, so I go to our services sometimes as I enjoy singing hymns and prayer. I am partially sighted and used to play the recorder in church for the hymns which I learnt by ear.”

Sammy, who also lives at Buxton House, said: “I have always been a Christian, so I always go to the church services. I like the hymns, especially All Things Bright and Beautiful and Shine Jesus Shine.”

Buxton House care home, which is part of the Care South family of care homes, provides residential, respite, and dementia care to residents, with a dedicated activities team who organise a daily programme of events to bring residents together to socialise and build friendships.

Care South is a leading provider of high quality residential and home care services across the south of England. The not-for-profit organisation, which is a registered charity, has care homes in Dorset, north Devon, Somerset and West Sussex, and care at home offices covering east and west Dorset, and northeast Somerset and south Somerset.