A MOTHER and daughter have moved back to Tunbridge Wells after five years away, as the Mount Ephraim House care home re-opened last week.
The home, which is part of the not-for-profit Greensleeves Care group, was built in the 1840s. It has just undergone a major, five-year renovation programme, which saw 27 residents transferred to another Greensleeves Care home in Sevenoaks.
One of those residents was Cynthia – the mother of Mount Ephraim House’s Manager, Karen Cooper – and both of them finally made their way back to the home last week.
“Mount Ephraim House has always been a home away from home to me, and indeed a home to my mother,” said Karen, who has headed up the care home, which is on Mount Ephraim, since 2007.
“To be returning to the home along with my mother is really special, and we can’t wait to settle in and start welcoming more residents to our beloved home.”
Following construction delays and the impact of Covid-19, Cynthia and one other original resident made the move back to the newly-renovated home last week.
They were joined by six other residents from the sister home in Sevenoaks, who will now be closer to their families in Tunbridge Wells.
The renovation had been designed to preserve the character of the building, a move that pleased both the Civic Society – which gave the project an award last year – and residents, who will find familiar features in their home, said Ms Cooper. “It’s so much nicer, and so nice to be back here with our residents,” she told the Times.
Cynthia, who originally came to Mount Ephraim House aged 82, is now 88, and loves her new room overlooking the rear garden, said Karen.
The home now features 57 en-suite rooms, a conservatory, a new secure rear garden and a balcony offering views of Tunbridge Wells Common.
