Helen Clear, a resident at Brize Meadow Lodge care home, was transported back to her days as a retail worker when she officially opened the home’s in-house convenience shop, the ‘Spitfire Boutique’.
The name ‘Spitfire Boutique’ was chosen by the care home’s residents as a nod to the RAF Brize Norton base less than a mile from the home.
Helen moved to Brize Meadow Lodge in September 2023. Having spent her working life in popular retail stores such as Debenhams and Primark, Helen jumped at the chance to be the Spitfire Boutique’s manager. Helen said,
‘I couldn’t wait to get the shop up and running as my own, and for everyone to see what we have in store. It feels just like old times, and it’s given me a sense of working life again. I never wanted to stop working!
‘I’m really happy with how the grand opening went; I cannot wait to get my first customer – this takes me years back.’
Helen will tend to the Spitfire Boutique Monday to Friday from 10:00 until 12:00. The shop runs on a cashless token system, making it accessible to all residents at Brize Meadow Lodge, and will sell items like toiletries, crafts, cosmetics, and greetings cards.
All residents will receive free tokens each week to make purchases, as well as being given the opportunity to buy more tokens if they wish.
Frances Payne, the Home Manager at Brize Meadow Lodge, said, ‘It’s so wonderful to see the smile on Helen’s face when she walked into the Spitfire Boutique.
‘We do all we can to support our residents in achieving their goals and living the life they want to lead, and we can’t wait to support Helen in her new role of shop manager!’
For more information, please call 01993 323 313, email brizemeadow.lodge@idealcarehomes.co.uk or visit www.idealcarehomes.co.uk.
Brize Meadow Lodge, operated by Ideal Carehomes, offers 24 hour, person-centred residential and dementia care. With 66 ensuite bedrooms, attractive décor and landscaped gardens, Brize Meadow Lodge is welcoming new residents for short- and long-term placements with a unique all-inclusive fee to give peace of mind to residents and their families.