The Chance of a Lifetime
Set in stunning grounds and steeped in history, Penhellis House Nursing Home could be nestled in the middle of the countryside yet has the convenience of being situated a very short walk from the centre of the historic town of Helston.
Penhellis House Nursing Home holds the honour of playing host to Helston’s famous annual ôFlora Danceö. The Flora Dance makes its way through the house and grounds on its way through Helston. A spectacular event for residents to watch from the beautiful gardens. Residents are encouraged to enjoy a walk around the garden paths or just take in the fresh air sitting beside the pond.
As well as digital flat screen television, Personal direct dial telephone and internet access in all rooms there is also a high specification Nurse Call system giving peace of mind by logging every single call, visit and attendance by staff.
In addition to communal areas there is also a Hairdressing Salon and Treatment Room for use by the GP, Chiropodist, Dentist, Optician and hairdresser.
We have built a reputation for delivering the highest standards of professional nursing care in luxurious surroundings with a powerful element of exclusivity. We would like to invite you to come and see what we have to offer and join us for afternoon tea – always with beautifully prepared home baked cakes scones and pastries
Every resident will enjoy all of these benefits as detailed subject to availability
24 hour nursing care
Qualified & Trained staff are in the home 24/7 to ensure the safety and security of the residents at Penhellis House, delivering care specific to individual needs through person centred care planning.
Private room
All resident’s rooms are private with either an En-suit or a vanity sink & discrete commode. The rooms are fully furnished to a high standard and include a TV / DVD player, Telephone with a direct dial personal telephone number and WIFI connection in the rooms. All rooms are connected to the Nurse call System where either care assistance or room service can be requested. Residents are also offered their own pendant in order that they can request these services throughout the home. Residents are encouraged to bring personal items such as pictures or small items of furniture to ensure that their new home feels like ‘their home’. Our maintenance team will hang any pictures as required.
Welcome Pack
Residents are welcomed to Penhellis house with a selection of luxury items to make your move into the home smoother and nicer these will usually include flowers, a magazine and toiletries plus a few other nice surprises we feel that you would enjoy.
Newspapers
In addition to the local newspapers which are situation in the main lounge, Residents are able to request one daily paper of their choice which will be delivered to their room every morning.
Dining Experience
Our Kitchen team provide all your food & beverage requirements for a balanced and healthy diet. This will include your choice of breakfast, Morning Coffee and Homemade Biscuits, Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Homemade Cakes, Dinner & Night time Hot Chocolate and other snacks are available on request. Specialist diets can be catered for and the team will provide additional assistance for those who require specific meals or support. A glass of Wine or Beer will be offered at Lunch to residents (Health & medication permitting).
Activities Programme
Activities are designed and planned with our residents input, needs and choices taken into account. The Activities Co-ordinator and Life Style Manager will be the point of contact for any suggestions as well as in Residents Meetings facilitated by the home manager. Our activity plan is written around physical, mental and spiritual needs with group and one to one engagement.
Lifestyle Manager
Our Life style Manager will liaise with residents about their experience at Penhellis house to ensure that their needs are met in a holistic and person centred way. This will include organising complimentary therapies, one to one support, activities and trips
Treatments and Therapies
Spa Treatment
Our spa therapist is able to offer various treatments including massage, aromatherapy massage and reflexology. Included in the hotel package is one 60 minute session per quarter.
Hair Salon
Residents are able to enjoy appointments at the homes Hair salon which can be arranged through the life style manager. Included in the hotel package is one appointment per month.
Chiropody
Our professional chiropodist visits the home on a regular basis and appointments can be arranged through the life style manager. Included in the hotel package is one appointment bi-monthly.
Complimentary therapies
The home is able to offer a number of complimentary therapies through qualified practitioners. These include Reiki and Indian Head Massage, Acupuncture and herbal medicine, which can all be arranged through the lifestyle manager for an additional charge
Optician & Dentist appointments
Both the Dentist and optician are able to visit the home for routine appointments and treatments, these will be arranged by the nursing staff as required. Residents will be charged directly for any services carried out.
Welcoming your Family & Friends
We do not operate visiting hours believing that it is important that Residents feel free to welcome their guests whenever suits them, as this is their home after all! For the purpose of security the home is locked, however we do have a biometric system in place that allows people (at the discretion of the home) to come and go from the home as they choose.
Communal Rooms
There are a selection of beautiful rooms at Penhellis House for you to enjoy at your leisure throughout all seasons!
Penhellis house is steeped in history and our residents and visitors can learn about the history of the Edwardian building and the families who lived here in the Private lounge. Throughout the home there are a number of antique pieces including antique clocks some of which are for decoration purpose only but which we believe help to capture the feel of the magnificent family house Penhellis used to be.
On the first floor is the ‘Memories’ lounge which can be used for reminiscence or simply for interest! We have a wonderful collection of original antique furniture and items as well as newspapers and magazines from the mid 1900’s.
The Garden room is lovely place to relax outside whatever the weather! Situated in our main Gardens, it is a perfectly tranquil place to enjoy a Cornish Cream Tea or to relax with family and friends
One to one support
One to one support can be arranged if required for trips and appointments or for extra company if required. These sessions can be arranged by the lifestyle manager for an additional cost.
Landscaped Gardens and courtyard
Our mature gardens are accessible for all to enjoy, Residents are able to relax in the various seating areas and enjoy the Cornish fresh air . There is also a secure courtyard with raised beds where Residents are encouraged to make the most of any green fingers and can come and go as they choose or take part in the Garden club.
House Keeping
Our housekeeping team will attend to your room and ensure it is cleaned on a daily basis. We will also change your bed lined and deep clean your room regularly
Laundry
All your personal items will be laundered on a regular basis. The team will provide you with fresh towels and bedding, which will also be laundered in the home.
GP Registration
You will be registered at your choice of surgery (Helston Medical centre or Meneage street surgery) who will visit the home for those unable to attend the main surgery. The GP will manage all your health needs with the home team including all referrals that may be required.
Medication
All resident medication will be managed, ordered, stored and distributed by the nursing staff.
Hospital / Medical Appointments
Appointments will be arranged by the nursing team along with transport if required. For occasions when a family member is unable to escort and take you to the appointment one to one support can be provided for an additional charge.
GROUND FLOOR
11 single bedrooms [6 en-suites, 1 of which is a luxuriously spacious double sized room]
fully assisted bathroom and toilet facilities,
Lounge with wall mounted flat screen digital television and surround sound
Dining room.
Purpose designed laundry.
Fully commercial kitchen
FIRST FLOOR
8 single bedrooms [6 en-suites]
SECOND FLOOR
3 bedrooms [2 are double rooms with en-suites and 1 is single en-suite]
quiet lounge / Function Room with Internet access and beautiful multiple aspect view over the grounds
Hair Salon / Treatment Room
Memory Lounge
All rooms are immaculately furnished and presented with all the specialist equipment necessary in a nursing home.
The home has extensive policies and procedures in place to protect residents, staff and visitors.
Penhellis is a home which provides general nursing care for up to 26 adults, male and female of varying ages. Accommodation provides adequate space for a wheelchair user and incorporates a seating area in each room. There are communal spaces and bathroom facilities which are accessible for all residents.
To meet the needs of a varied needs of people we are able to provide several communal areas to enable our service users to feel comfortable and at ease within the accommodation. We recognise that service users of different ages will have different interests and so the home is able to provide and support a variety of leisure interests such as gardening, crafts, workshop and social groups; some are on the premises whilst others involve going out into the local community.
The home prides itself on its ability to provide specialist care for conditions such as Parkinsons Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease and palliative care. Staff receive regular training both in house and externally to ensure the standards of care we deliver remain high. The home expects to provide further training where necessary to enable us to deliver appropriate and holistic care to all residents. We only admit people once we have carried out the necessary assessments to enable all needs to be met. The home will decline to admit anyone if we are unable to meet needs. It is the homes practice to involve outside agencies and with the involvement and support of the multi disciplinary team.
Our staff have significant experience delivering care for service users with a broad age range as well as those with physical disabilities and degenerative disease. All care needs will be discussed on an individual basis prior to admission.
Our Statement of Purpose gives information to prospective service users on how we run the home and what they can expect from us at Penhellis.
CHOICE OF HOME
Aim
To only admit people that we are sure we can provide a high standard of appropriate care and fully meet their needs.
Objectives
People are encouraged to bring other family members or friends when they come to view the home and discuss with the manager care that would be required and their individual needs.
The manager will have an open approach and encourage staff, residents and their representatives to have an input in the home. The manager will also carry out regular surveys and questionnaires of the people who have an input in the home to ensure high standards are maintained. Regular audits will also be performed in the home to ensure all equipment and services are adequate and meet the needs of those that use them.
The manager of the home will ensure that all policies and procedures are maintained and updated when required.
The manager will ensure that the Statement of Purpose is upheld at all times.
Before a person can be admitted to the home a full assessment needs to be completed by the registered manager or representative to make sure the home is able to fully meet the needs of the prospective service user. This will cover all activities of daily living such as diet, speech & communication, mobility, behaviour, cognition, personal hygiene & dressing, sleep, recreation and a medical history.
People (or their representatives) must read and agree with the homes Terms and Conditions prior to moving in.
Prospective Residents are invited to move into the home on a trial basis of up to 4 weeks. During this time either party has the right to terminate the stay with no notice required.
Where possible all emergency admissions are avoided. However if it is necessary to admit a someone before all required assessments can be completed the home will ensure all necessary information is gained and given out within 48 hours. All other admission criteria will be met within 5 days.
HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE
Aims
To provide a holistic and appropriate plan of care for each individual.
To maintain each person’s privacy and dignity.
To ensure people receive care from outside health professionals when necessary.
Objectives
During the first week a meeting will be held between the manager or other appropriate member of staff and the service user and their representative to formulate a detailed plan of care which suit’s the persons holistic needs.
People will have their own care plan in which all information required to provide a high standard of care is documented. This plan is available for all care staff to read to ensure they carry out the correct care.
Following the formulation of the care plan the manager or representative will call in any health care professionals deemed necessary to improve the care being delivered – or at any time during the stay.
Care plans will be reviewed monthly or more often if necessary by the manager or representative and any changes to the persons health and or care requirements will be documented and changes to care implemented.
Subject to agreement the involvement of family and friends is actively welcomed in daily life, within the scope of the care plan. Subject to us receiving consent from the resident, family and friends are encouraged to contribute to the care plan reviews.
At all times any information recorded in the care plan will be written in such a way that it is accessible to the individual and/or representative – taking into account the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018.
The home will has a strict Drug Policy and Procedure, which ensures people receive the correct and appropriate medication. These will be reviewed in house by qualified staff at least annually.
Individuals, where appropriate and in agreement with the management of the home may handle their own medication in accordance with the home’s policy and procedure for self medicating service users.
Whenever a person is receiving personal care, the door to the room will be shut and curtains pulled and only those staff required to administer the care will be present. No member of staff will enter the room without knocking to check it is appropriate.
All consultations with healthcare professionals, legal and financial advisors are conducted in the privacy of the persons room and a nurse will only be present when necessary or requested by the person or their representative.
Service users may entertain friends and relative in their own room at any time, providing consideration is given to other service users and staff in the home.
People will have access to a private telephone in their room for personal use, outgoing calls are charged for.
People will be addressed as preferred and this will be recorded in the care plan and staff will use this at all times.
People will wear their own clothes at all times. People and/or their representative are asked to ensure all clothes are marked with their name. Clothes will then be cared for by the home, unless special care is needed – such as dry cleaning, when it will be the responsibility of the individual or their representative.
People will be treated with respect and the “Principles of Care” will be upheld at all times.
Leading up to a person’s death, the individual and their family and friends will be treated with respect and sensitivity and privacy and dignity maintained.
People are asked in advance if they have any final requests, spiritual needs, rites and or function they would wish to receive leading up to and following their death and what staff in the home would need to do.
The nursing staff will liaise with the service users GP and any other appropriate healthcare professional ie: MacMillan Nurses to ensure the person receives adequate pain relief and other symptoms which are causing distress can be managed.
If family wishes to stay with them during their final illness then staff will assist wherever possible.
Although the home cannot provide separate accommodation relatives are welcome to stay in the home and be provided with meals and beverages.
Families require professional bereavement counselling, copies of leaflets and contact details can be obtained from the staff.
In the event that a person has passed away the nursing staff have a strict policy and procedure to follow to ensure all legal requirements are met. Family and friends will be given adequate time to pay their respects. At all times following death staff will continue to show respect and sensitivity to the person and their family and friends.
DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Aims
That people are encouraged and helped to maintain hobbies and activities they wish to. Relatives and friends are encouraged to become part of the home and play an integral part of the peoples life.
People are encouraged to be as independent as they are able.
People have the right to exercise free choice and control of their lives wherever possible.
Meal times are a social time and meals are nutritional and well presented.
Objectives
The manager or representative will discuss during pre-admission assessments any hobbies or activities that people would like to pursue after their admission and if these would be practical. The findings will be passed on to the activities coordinator and Life style co-ordinator for any arrangements to be made.
Visits from religious clergy are encouraged and if preferred arrangements can be made to visit their usual clergy. The home can arrange such visits and a member of staff can accompany the person where required. There may be an additional charge for this.
Relatives and friends are encouraged to visit the home and are made to feel welcome. Where people can still get in cars, families are encouraged to take them out. Families and friends are always encouraged to come and have a meal at the home. A charge will be made for this and 24 hours notice would be appreciated.
People are encouraged to set their own timetable for the day and the home has policies and procedures for promoting independence.
People are encouraged to bring with them appropriate personal belongings to help ensure their room feels like home and comfortable, providing items are practical for the room.
The home prefers and actively encourages people and /or their representatives to handle their own financial affairs, but the home will give help and guidance when requested.
The menu includes fresh products where possible and from local sources when available. Lunch is generally the main meal of the day, but changes can be made to accommodate individual service users.
Georgina married Richard Phillips of Coventry and died 1916. Humphry married Lavinia Webb and died at Torquay, 1912. Pascoe was a solicitor, died in Plymouth 1881, unmarried. In 1856 Emily was married to John Ratcliffe at Helston, John was Lord Chief Justice of India and had been widowed twice before. He had two sons, Charles and Thomas, both vicars. Together they had 9 children; Albert Edward, born India, 1863, Loveday Rhoda, Emily Georgina, Mary Louise (died in infancy in India), Caroline Lucy, Humphry Grenfell, Ethel, Oliver Prothero and Decima.
Albert Edward Ratcliffe (1863- 1934) always known to his friends as Berty Ratcliffe was articled to his uncle Frederick and became a partner. After 1905 he was Principal of Grylls, Hill & Hill. He married Margaret Alice Barnes (inset below). Some alterations were made to Penhellis - the major one being the installation of a large bow window in the largest room, this became the billiard room. The second room was a living room with a dining table and twelve chairs. In the window was "Polly", a grey parrot whose favourite day was May 8th (Flora Day). He would talk and dance for weeks after the Flora had been through the house.
The family consisted of one son and four daughters - Jocelyn(son), Gladys, Joan (pictured left), Enid and Monica. Jocelyn Vivian played rugger for Cornwall in his youth and later was an enthusiastic sailor, shot and fisherman. He was educated at Upingham, trained in London and joined the firm of Grylls, Hill & Hill. Gladys married Roger Hales, (he had been at Upingham with Jocelyn) and his parents had a holiday home "Trewoon" at Mullion. Joan played golf for Cornwall and hockey for England.
In 1924 Jocelyn wished to marry Daphne Naylor Carne of Falmouth, the daughter of George Carne (left) but before any plans for marriage were made, Great-Aunt Loveday had to be consulted. He drove his motorbike to Falmouth and Daphne rode pillion with him to Penhellis. Great-Aunt Loveday was seated in a large chair in the window, dressed entirely in black with a black lace cap. Daphne walked the length of the room to where Loveday sat. "They tell me you are the daughter of Mr. Carne of Falmouth" said Loveday. Daphne replied that that was correct. There followed two further questions. She struck the floor with her stick and turning to Jocelyn said "She will do Jocelyn, you may go". Great Aunt Loveday died one month later - much to Daphne's relief.
Jocelyn Ratcliffe, now the owner of Penhellis and wife Daphne continued to live in Falmouth. His sister Monica and mother Margaret continued to live at Penhellis. Margaret was a keen gardener, a breeder of wire-haired fox terriers. President of the W.I. and quite late in life had two Jersey cows, who grazed the two remaining fields. She made her own cream and butter.
Jocelyn Ratcliffe(right) and wife Daphne didnt move to Penhellis until 1964 after the death of Jocelyn's grandmother Margaret.
From ancient cobbles to castle walls, through time and tide, St Michael’s Mount is beckoning.
Head south on to the Lizard and the scenery changes. The rare geology of the area creates a haven for exceptional plants and flowers. Around the coastline you’ll find little fishing ports with huge granite sea walls to protect from the Atlantic gales, restaurants specialising in freshly caught seafood, and gorgeous sandy bays with jagged black rocks jutting out in to the sea. Stand right on the tip of the Lizard and look out to sea. At 49°57' N, the most southerly point on the UK’s mainland, watch the waves as they hurtle to the shore and imagine the thousands of ships that have passed by this treacherous part of the coast on their way across the Atlantic.
Penhellis is truly privileged to be able to be part of the amazing flora day celebrations held here in Helston. During this fantastic day our ground are awash with colour and joy as the procession spin an whirl through the gardens
Helston, the Cornish market town, where for hundreds of years, the townsfolk have celebrated and enjoyed the wonderful tradition that is FLORA DAY.
This ancient festival is usually held on May 8th , unless that date falls on a Sunday or Monday, in which case the previous Saturday is taken. It is a Spring festival to celebrate the end of winter and mark the arrival of the new vitality and fertility with the trees and flowers bursting into life. The houses and shops of the town are decorated with greenery and floral arrangements to express the spirit of renewal.
When the big bass drum strikes the first beat of the dance at seven in the morning, the spirit of the day is stirred and the celebrations commence. Some eighty couples dance through the streets, entering selected houses and shops to drive out the darkness of winter and bring in the light of spring.
Welcome to Helston Farmers’ Market where the very best of locally produced food can be found on the first Saturday of each month (except January) from 9.30am to 1.00pm at the Old Cattle Market, next to Lidl’s and the Boating Lake in Helston.
