Royal Star & Garter is celebrating its tenth birthday with a Caribbean-themed Open Day on 22 August.

The Carnival Open Day will bring the sounds, scents and flavours of the Caribbean to the Surbiton care home from 2-4pm.

Home Manager Helena Maher said: "We were thinking of ways to celebrate our 10th birthday, and residents said they'd like to attend Notting Hill Carnival. That's not possible due to their complex care needs, so we decided to bring the Carnival to the Home. We're all looking forward to it, and to welcoming people from the local community who would like to join us and who are interested in looking around the Home." 

 She added: "It also gives us a chance to celebrate the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush 75 years ago, the generation of people that came to this country from the Caribbean, and the great contributions they have made to our society." 

Care home staff and resident looking forward to celebrating. (Photo: Royal Star & Garter)

The Carnival Open Day will include a procession and Carnival Queen, steel-pan drum band entertainment, a Caribbean food truck and fruit punch. 

The event will see the care home and is also open its doors so the public can discover the care given to residents living with a disability or dementia. 

The Deputy Mayor of Kingston, the Police, the Fire Brigade service and Air Cadets are on the list of attendees, as are children from a nearby nursery who will be dressed for the Carnival celebration.    

Among them will be resident Bet, who turns 100 in October, and will realise a life-long dream of becoming a Carnival Queen. Lesley O'Driscoll, who is part of the Wellbeing Team which is helping organise the day, said: "Bet's always wanted to be a Carnival Queen and is looking forward to having that wish come true." 

Residents are looking forward to Caribbean-themed Carnival Open Day. (Royal Star & Garter)

The Carnival Open Day takes place from 2-4pm. Entry is free but spaces are limited and must be booked in advance. To do so, please click here.  

Alternatively, email [email protected] or call 020 8339 5100. 

Royal Star & Garter is welcoming new residents. For more information on this, or to work for the charity, go to www.starandgarter.org/surbiton