Nene Valley Care Homes Celebrates 28 Years of Garden Lodge's Family-Led Care
Nene Valley Care Homes this September is proudly celebrating 28 years of Garden Lodge in Glinton, the first care home established by founder Touran Watts and the foundation of what has grown into the mother-daughter run Nene Valley Care Homes. The anniversary marks almost three decades of dedicated, relationship-led care for older people across the region.
Founded in 1999, Garden Lodge was born from Touran Watts' vision of creating a genuine home-from-home environment where older people, particularly those living with dementia, can flourish. Having worked in both general and psychiatric hospitals before managing two 60 bed care homes, Touran felt that it was more suitable for her to run a small family orientated care home where personalised care can be provided with very close relationships with residents and their family.
Today, that vision continues to shape every aspect of Nene Valley Care Homes, independently owned and managed by mother-and-daughter team Touran and Yasamine Watts. Yasamine officially joined the family business 14 years ago, but in reality care has been part of her life since childhood. From the age of 7 she spent countless hours visiting her mother and residents in the care home. The family business has since grown to include three residential care homes while remaining firmly committed to the values on which Garden Lodge was founded.
Nestled in the peaceful village of Glinton, Garden Lodge has earned a reputation for its warm atmosphere, personalised care and providing a genuine sense of family. With just nine bedrooms, the home offers an intimate environment where residents receive highly individualised support, meaningful companionship and continuity of care.
Touran Watts, founder and owner of Nene Valley Care Homes commented:
"The philosophy behind Garden Lodge has always been to create an environment that closely reflects residents' own homes. Our homes have retained the character and feel of a traditional family home. Every room and shared living space has been designed to feel warm, familiar and welcoming rather than clinical or institutional. For people living with dementia, these familiar surroundings can make a significant difference.
“Looking back over the years, I feel incredibly proud of what we have achieved together. At our care homes residents are encouraged to continue enjoying their daily life activities that give life purpose, familiarity and a sense of achievement. Whether it is helping to lay the table, baking, watering plants, folding laundry or simply taking part in the daily running of the home.
“Our staff are also there to support residents to pursue their hobbies from collecting their daily newspaper to accompanying them to the local pub to enjoy a pint! One resident, who was previously a pub landlord, still enjoys regular visits to the local pub, helping him maintain his identity and connection to the life he has always known.
Touran Watts continues:
“We have shared countless special moments with residents and their families, and it has been a privilege to be part of so many lives. While much has changed in social care over the years, our commitment to kindness, dignity and person-centred care has never changed."
Today, Touran works alongside her daughter Yasamine, continuing the family's commitment to delivering exceptional residential, dementia and respite care across Garden Lodge, Florence House and the award-winning The Laurels. This person-centred approach is particularly beneficial for people living with dementia, helping them retain independence, confidence and a sense of self. Rather than expecting residents to fit into the home's routine, the team adapts daily life around each individual, recognising and respecting their life history, interests and the activities that continue to bring them joy and purpose.
Yasamine Watts, owner of the Laurels and Nene Valley Care Homes, comments:
"As Garden Lodge celebrates 28 years, it stands as testament to my mother’s original vision and the foundation on which Nene Valley Care Homes was built. Twenty-eight years on, Garden Lodge continues to prove that creating real homes, not simply care facilities, enables people living with dementia to live with purpose, dignity and a true sense of belonging. It is for this reason that many residents choose to make their home with us for the long term, with several having lived at our homes for well over a decade. These long-standing relationships allow the team to gain a deep understanding of every resident's personality, life story, preferences and creating a level of personalised care. We're also enormously grateful to our incredible team, whose compassion and professionalism make that possible every single day, and to the families who have placed their trust in us over the years."
