Care Home News
Mayor officially opens South Lodge!
14th January 2010
Signature care homes is proud to announce that South Lodge is now officially open!
The Leicester care home welcomed Lord Mayor of Leicester Councillor Roger Blackmore to the launch, which also saw thank you speeches by general manager Julie Preston, CEO Tom Newell and Mansell group managing director Steve Waite.
Cllr Blackmore said: "This is a huge privilege. I look with envy upon what's to be the home of 99 new residents and I wish them well.
"It's lovely to see a building in an unhappy state of repair come into such wonderful use. It's wonderful not only to welcome 99 new residents but also 99 new jobs, which is particularly welcome.
"It's a lovely place to live and I hope you will be happy hear as part of our community at Stoneygate."
Prior to the opening, Julie told the crowd of dignitaries, staff and future residents: "I would like to thank Tom and the board for putting me in this amazing building. It's a momentous day.
"I would also like to thank the people who started at the same time as me. They have put in the hours and hard work.
"I would also like to welcome our founder members. The people who have chosen to live here, and I hope they are truly impressed with their future home."
Mansell's Steve Waite then thanked his building team and everyone from Signature who had worked with him, before presenting Tom and Julie with framed pictures of South Lodge and picture books charting its development.
Finally, Tom told the audience the three things that made Signature special - the building, the bespoke care plans and, most importantly, the carers.
He said: "The most important thing by far is who you hire. The hardest thing is to interview someone's heart, but in this businessyou need people who care. We think we do that very well. That's makes Signature special."
After the speeches, the mayor and lady mayoress cut the ribbon, declaring South Lodge open.