Description:

The Hermitage

Despite being founded 34 years ago and only a stone’s throw from the heart of the town many will not have heard of “Whittlesey’s best kept secret” – an award-winning, family-run rest home for the elderly called The Hermitage.

In its previous guise the beautiful Georgian-style building was a vicarage but it is now known as ‘home’ for 24 elderly residents who are looked after 24 hours per day by a dedicated team of highly-trained professionals referred to by the residents as “our ladies in white”. Such a warm and comfortable sense of belonging is returned to those who have perhaps lost the capability of caring for themselves and with such a lively group there’s always some form of activity to get involved with…even if it’s as simple as enjoying a cup of tea and watching TV in one of the two communal living areas!

It all began in the early 80’s whilst local businessman Peter Thory was looking for suitable accommodation for his grandmother. She was being poorly cared for in an alternative home so Mr Thory sought the assistance of care professional Mrs Rita Smith (nee Rawlings) to help set up a rest home in the former vicarage he owned in Whittlesey. After extensive renovation The Hermitage was born with an original capacity of 10 before an extension in 1995 saw this increase to 24.

The Hermitage continues to be in safe hands. Mr Thory’s daughters Gay together with Mrs Smiths daughters Judy and Paula maintain family values with Judy and Gay’s own daughters Emma and Harriet following in their footsteps as the third generation.

The Hermitage Offers

Comfortable single bedrooms or double bedrooms for married couples or those wishing the companionship of others. All rooms are equipped with washing facilities, smoke detectors and radiators fitted with thermostatic controls and covers. Each room also has a 24-hour call bell system, as do the bathrooms and toilets throughout the Home. Personal telephones are available in the rooms as well as television aerial points. The rooms are fully furnished to a high standard although it may be possible for residents to bring in small items of furniture with prior consent from the management. En-suite rooms may be available on request.

We have two / three lounges with a television loop system in the main lounge for the hard of hearing or alternatively you may wish to have your own television in your room. All electrical equipment that is brought into the Home must carry a Certificate of Safety to comply with the standards and specifications required. All our equipment is P.A.T. tested for safety.

Bathrooms are fully equipped to a very high standard with hydraulic chairs and hydrotherapy baths. Alternatively a shower room is available if preferred.

We also have a large passenger lift and a stair lift to assist those who find stairs difficult.

We have two separate dining rooms where the meals are served. For breakfast we offer the choice of being served in your bedroom or in the dining room, with a choice of menu. Lunch is served at 12noon and is the main meal of the day and the main course is followed by appetising desserts. 95% of our meals are home cooked with alternative main meals available on request. Dinner is served at 5pm and again a choice is available. Tea, coffee and cold drinks are served throughout the day.

Dietary needs are catered for. Our resident chef is always on hand to discuss any special requests and in 2009 we achieved a 5 Star ‘Scores of the Doors’ rating for the second year in a row since the award was first recognised.