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I consider Nightingale my second family

23 May 2023

“I became familiar with Nightingale House through my work with Jewish Care and Ravenswood in South London. When I finally stopped working I had time on my hands, so decided to Volunteer here. It’s been 13 years now. I am 98 and I guess it makes me the oldest Volunteer.

I don’t see Volunteering as a duty, I enjoy it, I look forward to it.

I have always considered Nightingale House as a community, not a Care Home. I used to be the senior Director of social services in Croydon, and I know what Care Homes can be like. Many are what I call “passive” establishments, where Residents and Staff are very separate, there is no engagement, no involvement. This Home is very different. It is unique. There is no division between Staff and Residents. It is like being in a family and I consider Nightingale my second family.

Every Thursday morning, we hold a discussion group and we encourage the Residents to participate in what is happening in the world, whether politics, religion, films or books. There is always a risk for Residents of a Care Home to become inward looking. I feel the discussion group brings the outside world into the Home so that the Residents can express their views and opinions about the world.

In the afternoon I Volunteer on Ronson Household. I have so many friends among the Staff, the Volunteers and the Residents. To me, they are not Residents, they are my friends and I hope they consider me in the same way. Nightingale House is a true Jewish Institution, there is a “spirit” which has been built over the years which is fundamental to the special ambiance of the Home.” – Len Tabizel