Hello, I’m Sammy Noakes, a resident at Cantelowes House.  Before coming here in December 2005 I lived with my daughter in Barnet for two years.  My husband and I used to live in Cambridge.  When I was young I went to university in Shanghai and then worked for a US publisher.  I became a translator, then an editor.  My husband and I were ambitious and so we moved to the UK.  He had an English restaurant, and my business supplied the restaurant trade.  We provided everything from small teaspoons to large refrigerators.  I learnt about design, art and all about publishing.  Having had a team of people under me, I know how to manage an organisation, so I especially appreciate the hard work put in by Diane, our manager here.  In 2003 my husband died very suddenly.  He was broad minded and knew everything.  He used to have a big telescope to see the sky and I miss him like a lost best friend.  He always looked after me because I have arthritis, diabetes and asthma and am nearly blind.  I cannot be totally independent - as much as I want to be. After my husband died I moved in with my daughter in East Barnet.  It was really too much.  So I decided with her that I wanted to go to a residential care home.

Choosing the right care home

My daughter found a list of 20 care homes.  Eventually we visited six - some were big, some old, some draughty, some privately run, some just small houses, and some part of big corporate chains.  Some were on a busy bus lane and had fumes inside from the traffic. 

I met Diane, the manager at Cantelowes House, and asked her so many questions!  She was very patient and I realised she ran the place very intelligently.  I have worked from top to bottom all my life, and I have seen a lot of things.  With some of the larger corporate homes, you felt they just didn’t care.  I met many managers but felt, really deeply inside, that the most important thing to consider was the person who runs the home. 

Enjoying a new life at Cantelowes House

I have been here for one year and eight months and the longer I stay here the more I appreciate how the staff are so good under Diane’s lead.  She has a nice disposition, and works very hard.  She is very caring and thinks of the residents a lot, from the very small things to the big things.  She is very rare.  Members of staff are always very kind, and we often have a chat.  They give us the respect we deserve - old people still have dignity.  You tell them your feelings and they sort out your problems.

About hygiene…

Hygiene here is very good.  Everything is clean – the windows, the floors, the toilets and even the fish pond.  I do like fresh air.  Here it’s really heavenly!

About entertainment…

At Cantelowes House you never feel bored.  We have knitting, arts class, bingo and a sweets trolley once a week, because it’s not so easy to go out yourself to buy these little treats.  We play board games too, and the last time we played snakes and ladders I had six sixes.  It was unbelievable.  I don’t usually behave like that! 

About residents’ meetings…

From to time we have a residents meeting when we can freely criticise and suggest changes to the menu, or to our daily life.  Diane is willing to listen to us and if she cannot do something she will explain the reasons why. 

I have two daughters - the youngest one is in the US.  She said any organisation has room for improvement and I agree and we cannot all be perfect, but I honestly have nothing to complain about. 

About the catering…

Here we have very good cooks.  Because some residents are diabetic like me, they always make two types of dessert so we can enjoy them too.  And if there’s something on the menu you don’t like, the staff will go into the kitchen and make you a simple salad, just like at home. 

On Sunday we sat on the patio and had afternoon tea in the sun or shade, as we preferred.  Nobody would ever feel hungry here - I never eat biscuits because I am always so full!

About making new friends…

Everybody is my friend here.  Cantelowes House is my home.  One lady on my table tells me her heart, and her past and we have become very good friends.  We are just like a family, joking to each other.  On the lunch table you laugh so much!  It is just like a club – the atmosphere is so good.  We hold doors open for each other and talk to everyone. 

My hip came out recently and the senior staff came to visit me in hospital.  We are like a family. 

About trips out…

Every few months Diane and Sue take four or five people out for lunch or coffee or afternoon tea.  Men can have a pint of beer, or ladies a sherry, just as a treat. 

About the accommodation…

I have my own bed, cabinet, fridge, TV, CD player and chair - but here everything is provided for you if you prefer.  I am independent;  I make my own bed and I know what I like.  I am a Christian and have strong beliefs. 

Recently I put a phone in my room.  It makes my life so easy.  I have nothing to complain about at all.  My only regret is that I cannot do the gardening myself, but I have a small place to grow herbs.  I can sit on the edge and do a little bit of weeding.