Rugeley Based Care Home Celebrates 30-Year Anniversary

A Rugeley based care home celebrated its 30-year anniversary and still employs two staff members who were there when they first opened.

MHA Briar Hill House opened its doors for the first time in November 1992 and to celebrate the occasion held a party where they acknowledged the homes longest serving staff members Dean Thornewill and Alison Cowdell.

The pair joined the home, which provides residential and nursing care for our 36 residents on the first day the home opened.

There was live singing, and an afternoon tea was prepared by the kitchen staff which was enjoyed by all.

Both Dean and Alison are care assistants and received a certificate of achievement for their services.

Speaking after the event Dean said:
“I moved to Rugeley from Burton on Trent in 1992 and saw the job and applied for it.

“I feel very proud to still be here 30 years later and of course a lot has changed over time, but I love working here.

“I am not someone who likes change, which is probably why I am still here, but you still have to be happy, and I can definitely say I am very happy working here.”

Alison says she can’t see herself working anywhere else and the home is full of caring people.

She added: “To be honest I didn’t think anyone would remember that both me and Dean have been working here for so long, so it was a nice surprise.

“When the home first opened, I started off as a resident support worker and then as time progressed, I became a care assistant.

“Working at Briar Hill House is interesting, no two days are the same and I love the home, staff, and residents.

“I do feel like time has flown by and it’s been a roller coaster of a journey, but one I look back with fond memories and look forward to new ones.”