New Selby care home to create 20 jobs

A NEW care home has opened near Selby, creating 20 jobs for local people. Businessman Bryan Reader spent £300,000 on refurbishing his Temple Manor home, in Temple Hirst, after visiting his mother in another care home.

Sadly, his mother died a week before Temple Manor was ready, but the facility is now open, with 15 ground-floor accessible en-suite rooms, including two doubles.

Mr Reader, who also lives in the 12th century manor, said: “Our aim is to maintain dignity and independence in a safe, comfortable environment.

“We have to live down its former reputation. But everything is different and anyone is welcome to come and have a look round.”

Temple Manor was previously a care home but was shut down by social services two years ago.

The care home is staffed by 20 people, including the home manager, senior carers, occupational therapist, cooks, kitchen assistants, domestic and laundry workers, and a foot therapist, optician, beautician and hairdresser also visit the home for the residents.

Home manager Elaine Mawer said: “We have all read horror stories about standards in some care homes.

“We aim to fulfil our residents’ needs in all aspects of daily living, as well as promoting their independence and individuality.”

Mr Reader now plans to build a dementia unit for up to 16 residents in the three-acre grounds, and he and his staff are working with two specialist universities, at Bradford and Stirling in Scotland, to create the best environment for people with challenging behavioural needs. He is also negotiating with the local PCT and other funding bodies to find ways of cutting the charges for care to residents and their hard-pressed relatives.

An open weekend will take place between noon and 5pm on Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20, when anyone can look around the home and chat to staff.