Avocet Court care home in Ipswich has marked six successful years as part of the Athena Care Homes family. To commemorate this milestone, the team hosted a celebration afternoon tea for residents, families, and the care team. Highlights included a cupcake for every team member and a gathering that showcased the strong community spirit at the home.
Situated in a residential area of Ipswich, Avocet Court is a 115-bedroom care home surrounded by lush gardens and is the proud holder of the Athena in Bloom overall winner title for the past two years.
General Manager Ruth Garnham exemplifies the passion for great care at Avocet Court. Ruth’s journey in care began in 1994 when she joined the home as a housekeeper. Over the years, she has embraced various roles, including housekeeping supervisor, hospitality manager, and deputy manager, before taking the reins as general manager in 2021.
Ruth said, “I loved working here from day one and never expected to go into management. It’s been an incredible journey and I am proud to be surrounded by an incredible team here at Avocet Court who are both excellent at their jobs and great at being there for each other. The past six years as part of Athena Care Homes have been very successful for the home and we look forward to many more as part of the care community in Ipswich.”
Known for its exceptional standards of care, the home plays an active role in the local community, offering great activities and a café that serves as its social hub. With its commitment to sustainability, Avocet Court features solar panels and other eco-friendly initiatives, underscoring its dedication to environmental responsibility. The home won the Environmental Innovation title at this year’s Suffolk Care Awards as well as being finalists in two additional categories – End of Life Care and Health and Wellbeing.
Avocet Court is part of Athena Care Homes, a family-owned group with seven care homes across East Anglia. This year, Athena celebrates its 10th anniversary and to date has planted 10,000 trees in recognition of new residents —a symbolic gesture of growth and sustainability. As part of this initiative, an apple tree was planted at each care home, including Avocet Court, reinforcing their dedication to creating a lasting environmental legacy.
As Avocet Court celebrates six years of enriching lives in Ipswich, it’s a shining example of Athena’s mission to provide exceptional care in a sustainable, community-focused environment. Here’s to many more years of creating meaningful connections and making a difference in the lives of residents, families, and the team who work at Avocet Court alike.
