Resident, Dorothy’s, dream comes true with a breathtaking helicopter ride over Derbyshire skies
There were cheers, smiles, and even a few happy tears at The Old Vicarage Care Home as Dot (Dorothy Brewer) (age 90), one of the home’s much-loved residents, saw her lifelong dream take flight — quite literally!
The Care Group of the Year nomination is particularly special, as Adept Care Homes proudly won this award in 2024. Being shortlisted again reflects the group’s continued commitment to providing outstanding, resident-focused care across its homes.
Residents across Adept Care Homes have once again put their green fingers to the test in the much-loved Annual Sunflower Competition, with this year’s tallest bloom reaching an incredible 9ft 4in (285cm) at Moat House Care Home.
The competition is a highlight of the year for residents and teams alike. It all begins with a celebratory planting session in spring, when residents plant not only sunflowers but also vegetables and other flowers as part of a wider gardening tradition. Exactly 100 days later, Grounds Manager Richard Mee makes his rounds with the measuring stick to determine which home’s sunflower stands the tallest.
Midlands, UK – July 2025 – Adept Care Homes has launched a heartfelt new initiative across all its care homes called ‘Stop The Clock’, designed to carve out moments of genuine connection and joy for residents and team members alike.
Twice a day, at 11:30am and 3:30pm, the usual routine takes a backseat as the homes pause the hustle for 10 minutes of pure, person-centred joy. Whether it’s a spontaneous sing-along, a quiet chat over tea, a game of dominoes, or a stroll in the garden, the focus is simple: connection.
A well-loved teddy bear with over 100 years of cuddles and memories has been lovingly restored, thanks to a touching wish granted by The Old Vicarage Care Home in partnership with Adept Care Homes’ Make a Wish program.
Ann, an 80-year-old resident at the Derbyshire home, recently fulfilled her lifelong dream of giving her treasured childhood bear a well-earned pampering. Originally her mother’s toy, this cherished teddy has been by Ann’s side for eight decades, dressed in hand-knitted clothes and steeped in family history.
The Old Vicarage Care Home has been awarded Best for Indoor or Outdoor Communal Space at the prestigious Care Home Awards 2025, in recognition of their transformative work creating vibrant, engaging environments for residents to enjoy.
The award follows the home’s standout 2024 community project: the design and construction of a brand-new pub and beer garden, now affectionately known as The Clay-Cross Keys. Named by the residents themselves, the pub has quickly become the heart of social life at The Old Vicarage—hosting everything from quiz nights and birthday parties to live music and Sunday roasts.
It was a golden night for The Old Vicarage Care Home, Clay Cross at the Adept Awards in Excellence, hosted at the Hilton Hotel in Leicester, where the team walked away with two major awards: “Best for Specialist Care (Dementia)” and the coveted Gold Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Group.
Held on 7th May 2025, the event dazzled with live music, celebration, and emotional tributes to the best in care—making The Old Vicarage’s double win even more special.
The Old Vicarage Care Home in Clay Cross, Derbyshire, is celebrating after being named a finalist in this year’s Care Home Awards for Best for Indoor/Outdoor Communal Space. This prestigious recognition comes following the creation of ‘The Clay Cross Keys’, a resident and team-built pub and beer garden, designed to enhance social interaction and well-being for residents.
After being recognised in 2024 Care Home Awards as the UK’s Outstanding Smaller Care Home Group, Adept Care Homes is proud to announce that they have once again been named finalists in the 2025 Care Home Awards, recognising excellence in care across the UK.
Following the overwhelming success of last year’s inaugural event, Adept Care Homes is proud to announce the return of ‘The Big Dementia Talk’, a virtual event open to all at the start of Dementia Action Week 2025.
This insightful event, hosted by Karen Middleton, Adept’s Dementia Manager, aims to provide valuable information on dementia care, helping families, caregivers, and communities better understand and support those living with dementia. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a live Q&A session, ensuring their most pressing questions are answered by experts in the field.
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