FUN and games came to a care home in March as part of a national day of events to promote support for the elderly

Cambs Times: Heron House opening day. Staff and residents on the various stalls.Heron House opening day. Staff and residents on the various stalls. (Image: Archant)

Heron House was among hundreds of care homes across the country who organised a special day to tie in with the national event.

Taking place at the Coronation Close home was a barbecue, raffle, tombola, music and a range of games.

Organisers of the national day, a group of leading care providers and associations, said that for too long the care home sector had been marred by negative press generated by a small number of badly run homes.

“We want the world to realise that care homes really can be inspiring places, full of unique, intelligent and charming characters, and run by special people that really do care,” a spokesman said.

It is the first time that homes across the country have collectively opened their doors to the public.

Organisers of the event hoped to challenge misconceptions about residential homes and give the public a chance to make informed decisions about care services.

Baroness Joan Bakewell, a long-standing champion of the elderly, hoped the day would encourage people from across the country to visit their local care home.

She said: “The National Care Home Open Day is a great opportunity for people to see the range of care services at the heart of their communities.

“Care homes, and most importantly the residents who live there, are an invaluable part of our communities. The National Care Home Open Day will help connect the residents and staff with their local communities.”