Local care home celebrates 50 years of Christian care 

Parkside Care Home in Main Road, Romford is celebrating 50 years of Christian care. Founded by Romford Baptist Church back in 1971, it has remained a central part of the church’s ministry and mission

The 32-bed care home houses residents aged from 75 – 104, and has, over the time, changed beyond recognition. Started as a “home for gentle folk” with four staff and residents making their own meals, supported by volunteers and youth from the church, it is now a CQC regulated home with more than 50 staff. The not-for-profit home is governed by a board from the church and the ministers from the church are very much part of the life of the home. A recent inspection by CQC found that the home was good. 

To mark the anniversary, the church will be holding a weekend of celebrations on 9 and 10 October with a programme of events on Saturday including live bands and a short service on the front car park.

On Sunday Romford Baptist Church will be holding a Songs of Praise, remembering the home of the past, present and looking into the future. This will include footage of when the home was featured on an ITV Father's Day service back in 1977.

Earlier plans for the celebrations have had to be scaled back due to the ongoing pandemic and the determined commitment to keep the residents safe. Over the past few years, the home has undergone a lot of improvements including making all except 1 room en-suite, enabling residents to have internet access and also improving the general décor and grounds.

A new top of the range fire alarm has also just been installed. Residents have loved using the new interactive table projection system that was purchased to help them through the pandemic.