Pinewood Residential Care Home in Essex

Positioned in a quiet residential area of Chigwell, opposite a primary school, Pinewood is a place where the people make it a true home. Our dedicated team provides residential care, dementia care and respite care to residents.

Often complimented on how friendly and warm the atmosphere is, our team always push themselves to go that extra mile for their residents. Recently, they dressed up in all things fancy, from Where’s Wally and a footballer to a cheerleader and a pink unicorn, to pound the streets of Chigwell in a five-mile sponsored walk. They raised a staggering £1,480 which they split between the home’s Residents’ Activities Fund and the Alzheimer’s Society, a charity close to their hearts.

Engaging and inspiring activities

At Pinewood Residential Care Home, our activities leader Lorraine Erich was proud to be shortlisted for the London regional finals of the Great British Care Awards 2018, for the Care Home Activity Organiser Award. The award is for someone who shows ‘exceptional skills and creativity’ when it comes to providing activities.

Lorraine, who has worked at the care home for 27 years, has inspired the rest of the team to value the importance of activities when it comes to fulfilling the lives of their residents and making sure they are happy and engaged.

Part of the nomination for her award read: “One resident would not spend time with any other residents and nobody could persuade her otherwise. She loved to knit but said she couldn’t do it because of her arthritis. Lorraine got her some wider needles and persuaded her to try – she has been knitting ever since! Lorraine then set up Pinewood’s knitting circle, which this lady helps run.”

Wonderful activities that our residents at Pinewood enjoy include a summer canal boat trip with CanalAbility, a charity which enables people to enjoy boating in wheelchair-accessible canal boats. The boat has a specially trained crew, which means the residents and Pinewood’s team can relax and enjoy the experience.

Days out

There are also regular days out to places like nearby Hainault Forest, a country park with a lake, a petting zoo and of course an abundance of wildlife. Lorraine often takes residents to Fairlop Waters Country Park in Redbridge, where they go birdwatching.

A 10-minute drive from Barkingside High Street, Pinewood is close to plenty of shops and restaurants, a library and other attractions Chigwell has to offer. We are also a 10-minute walk from Grange Hill tube station, providing direct access to central London.

Our residents also take part in outings in our minibus to local garden, shopping and community centres, as well as visiting local schools and enjoying trips to Southend on Sea.

Pinewood also benefits from large landscaped gardens, a themed beach area and a hairdressing salon.