Simeon Care for the Elderly in Aberdeen has received its first ‘moving in’ present as residents settle into their new care facility.
The charity has been given a £7,000 grant from the Aberdeen Asset Management Charitable Foundation, which will be used towards purchasing new furniture for Simeon House.
The donation caps off an exciting time for Simeon, with 23 residents having now moved into the brand new Simeon House in Aberdeen.
The home was built after the charity launched the biggest fundraising drive in its history, raising nearly £1.3million. Built on land at Cairnlee Road and designed by Camphill Architects, it features dementia-friendly design, including an innovative Golden Garden which provides a therapeutic haven for residents, and a commitment to energy efficient technology.
Gayle Johnston, Simeon Care for the Elderly’s fundraising manager, said: “It is fantastic for everyone at Simeon to finally be in our new home. It has been a long process to get to this point and it means a great deal to all of us.
“This generous grant from the Aberdeen Asset Management Charitable Foundation has been the icing on the cake and helped us kit out our home in style.
“We are also grateful for their support earlier this year as a group of employees kindly volunteered in our garden. It is efforts like this that make all the difference to us as a charity.
“After just a week, the residents are settling in well and very much enjoying the new home and Golden Garden.
“We are delighted our vision is now a reality. We would like to give a heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported us since we launched our New Lease of Life fundraising campaign to bring in money to create our dream home. It has been a challenging journey but the kindness and generous support of individuals, local businesses, charitable trusts and community groups has got us here.”
The daughter of a 93 year old elderly resident with dementia explained how the environs and staff ensure that the care facility home-from-home feel.
“It feels like home and the staff are always patient and attentive. They understand mum’s past and they let her do things that are purposeful, like help fold the laundry. Each night they put my mum’s hair rollers in because they understand how important that simple thing is to her peace of mind. Taking the route of residential care can be seen in our society as the family failing the elderly. However, with the care that mum receives at Simeon, I feel that both our lives are enriched and our relationship preserved. I would be happy there myself at that age”.
Dominic Kite, of the Aberdeen Asset Management Charitable Foundation, said: “The opening of the new home is a major milestone for Simeon Care for the Elderly, boosting its capacity and allowing it to enhance its service. At this momentous time for Simeon, we’re pleased to have delivered them a moving in gift in the shape of a donation towards furnishing the new facility.”
The Aberdeen Asset Charitable Foundation was established in 2012 to formalise and develop the Group’s charitable giving globally. The Foundation seeks partnerships with smaller charities around the world, where funds can be seen to have a meaningful and measurable impact and the firm encourages its employees to use their time and skills to support its charitable projects. For more information visit http://www.aberdeen-asset.co.uk/aam.nsf/foundation/home