THE first residents have moved into a brand-new care home in Basingstoke after it opened its doors earlier this month.

The first two residents to call Care UK’s Dashwood Manor, on Bradley Way, their new home are 92-year-old Ron Barton and 88-year-old Dennis Moulton.

Ron and Dennis were greeted with tea and cake when they arrived at their new home, where they spent time getting to know each other and the team.

Dennis, 88, who was previously a dancer and drummer is excited to be moving in.

He said: “I was a dancer and a drummer in a band called Waves in my younger years, and so I'm very much looking forward to bands and musicians visiting Dashwood Manor.

“I have also asked the team if they can help me complete a life-long wish of skydiving – which I'm excited to say they are already organising.”

92-year-old Ron is hoping to hit the milestone age of 100 in his new home.

He added: “I am most looking forward to reaching 100 years old in my new home, and seeing what the Lifestyle Team have planned for spring, which is my favourite time of year. Moving into Dashwood Manor has given me peace of mind.”

The gentlemen also received a visit from the home’s head chef who was keen to find out their favourite meals.

The new purpose-built care home in Basingstoke will eventually be home to up to 70 residents and is divided into four suites, each comprising a number of bedrooms and lounge and dining areas.

The idea is to encourage the creation of tight-knit communities within the home which also provides space for group activities.

Dashwood Manor has also installed a ‘Wishing Tree’, an initiative launched by Care UK which allows residents to suggest ideas for new hobbies they’d like to try, places they’d like to visit or even activities linked to past careers.

The tree has been designed to encourage residents to live fulfilling lives.

Dil Perera, home manager at Dashwood Manor, said: “We are thrilled to have opened our doors to the first residents at here at Dashwood Manor.

"We’ve had the pleasure of welcoming Ron and Dennis, and spent time getting to know them and their life stories. We are already in the process of organising Dennis’s wish to skydive - which is very exciting!.

She said seeing residents moving in is a "real pleasure".

She added: “We are extremely pleased with the design of the home, and every single detail has been taken into account to produce a high-quality, luxurious setting that will allow residents to live active and fulfilling lives. Dashwood Manor has been beautifully furnished to create the ideal environment for older loved ones to live comfortably.

“The team and I are very much looking forward to getting to know all the new residents and welcoming them and their families into our beautiful new home.”

For more information about Dashwood Manor, visit: careuk.com/Dashwood-Manor.