The mayor of Sandbach has paid a visit to the areas newest care home to take part in a socially distanced tree planting ceremony and to officially welcome the team and residents to the town.

Elworth Grange care home on Booth Lane, Moston, is one of care provider, Ideal Carehomes, newest sites which has benefitted from a £10 million investment and provides all the finishing touches you would expect from a "luxurious" home.

The care provider said its spacious en-suite bedrooms and latest care technology allows the newly recruited staff team to deliver person-centred care in a dignified manner, promoting independence as far as possible.

Home manager, Donna Cowell, explained how she and her team have been implementing Ideal Carehomes' initiative 'Ideal Fresh Living' since opening in June, which sees them being at the forefront of hygiene and infection control policies.

Cllr Geraint Price Jones was shown around the brand-new facilities including large social and dining areas, a cinema room, on-site beauty parlour, a vintage tearoom, lavish Sky Bar which features panoramic views from the top floor and airy botanical garden rooms leading onto spacious landscaped gardens.

During the socially distanced tour, Donna explained to the mayor how the home is tackling loneliness with dedicated lifestyle coordinators who tailor activities and a social calendar to each residents' interests and to help them make friends.

Resident, Geoff Morris, 84, chatted at length with Cllr Price Jones about how pleased he and his wife are with the care they receive at Elworth Grange.

Geoff said: "I had a wonderful chat with the mayor this afternoon, he was very polite and respected all the distancing rules. I was able to tell him about all the amazing things we do at the home. Since me and my wife moved in, staff have helped me get back into golfing and doing putting practice.

Donna also explained how through the use of phone, Skype and Facetime as well as window and garden visits, residents are able to remain in close contact with their loved ones and how they are working to provide safe indoor visits during the winter.

Speaking after his visit, the mayor said: "As a council, the care for our elderly is something we value very much. Having visited Elworth Grange Care home, I was impressed by the high standards that have been set by both the staff I met and the facilities on offer at the site. It was a pleasure to meet Geoff and I have no doubt that Elworth Grange is a welcome addition to Sandbach as a town."

To commemorate the visit, Cllr Price Jones planted a green apple tree in the garden for future residents to enjoy once it begins to fruit.

Donna said, "It has been great showing the mayor around our beautiful home and to be able to discuss some of our key initiatives around infection control and the Elworth Grange lifestyle.

"The apple tree we planted is a lovely symbol of our welcome to our home from the mayor and I am sure our Chef will be excited to bake a delicious apple pie for everyone to enjoy once our tree fruits."