BRAMSHOTT Grange Care Home was officially declared open by its guest of honour, Professor Martin Green, the chief executive of Care England and chairman of Age Concern.

Describing it as a privilege, he said he was impressed with the building, located at the centre of a great community, but even more so with the care and support provided by the staff for its residents and especially the purpose-built facilities for dementia sufferers.

Mayflower Care Communities Home director Libby Barratt, who has overseen the building of the care home from the beginning, told The Herald: “We are overwhelmed with the support and the welcome we have received from the community already.

“Bramshott Grange Care Home will support the Queen’s Float in this year’s Liphook Carnival on Saturday, October 27 and already supports Liphook In Bloom as well as providing sponsorship and a new kit for the Liphook United’s Veteran’s football team.

“I am very proud of the team here and most importantly I would like to say a big thank-you to our residents, who have taken their first steps to move in.

“It is truly an honour to welcome them to their new home.”

To celebrate its community involvement and the special people within, Bramshott Grange presented awards to several nominated ‘Local Heroes,’ who have made a difference to many elderly people in the parish over the years.

Nominees included Tony and Jan Roles for serving the community as well as making contributions to Liphook In Bloom, volunteers and fundraisers Bob and Anne Hall from Liphook Day Centre, Barbara Frost for her fundraising activities and culinary support at many events, and Shirley and Paul Briggs, who organised many fundraising events for local charities as well as supporting clients at the Day Centre.

Irene Ellis, chairman of the Community Laundry, which provides a unique service in East Hampshire, was declared ‘overall champion’.

She received an award as well a a cheque of £250 towards running costs.

Mayflower chief executive Helen Maiello praised all the heroes and their many achievements while Albion Care Communities chairman Mike Parsons spoke about his involvement with care homes for over 25 years

He also welcomed Bramshott Grange for setting a high standard in the current care home sector.

The 64-bedroom luxury care home offers residents InteractiveMe – a person centred dementia care system to stay connected with families and loved ones, which sets up personalised profiles for all clients and which allows staff to understand and care for them as individuals.