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Brain injury care home upgraded to mark 30 years

Brainkind Alan Sherwell wearing a mayoral chain with Hazel Diaz-Fernandes holding a red ribbon, Irene Sobowale in a red dress and Claire Locke in a black and white dress clapping their hands at a partyBrainkind
The Mayor of Aylesbury, Alan Sherwell, joined physiotherapist Hazel Diaz-Fernandes (left), Irene Sobowale from Brainkind and Kent House's manager Claire Locke (right) at a specially-arranged party

A brain injury residential home has celebrated its 30th anniversary and the completion of a refurbishment project.

Kent House in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, run by the charity Brainkind, has had its rooms "personalised" to reflect its residents "personalities and preferences" more effectively.

The charity said its specialist 16-bed facility offered "innovative rehabilitation" to people with acquired brain injuries to "enable them to thrive".

Over the years, it has introduced more provision for long-term residential care and built four bungalows on the site.

Brainkind Rupert Johnston, smiling, holding a French Horn under his arm, at a party Brainkind
Rupert Johnston, who is supported by Brainkind, played his French horn at the 30th anniversary party

Kent House was opened on 28 April 1994 by HRH The Duchess of Kent

Staff, residents and guests celebrated the completion of the renovation work and the 30th anniversary with a party.

Rupert Johnston, who is supported by Brainkind, said: "I really enjoyed our party on Saturday.

"There was music and lots of laughing – even dancing. I played my French horn."

Arthur Munemo, who also stays at Kent House, said: "I have really enjoyed helping the gardens to help with the refurbishment of the building that is now finished, thank goodness!"

Brainkind A person in a wheelchair wearing a crown, in a newly-renovated bedroomBrainkind
Several rooms in the home were updated and personalised

Claire Locke, its service manager, said: "There have been lots of improvements to the service including work to our gardens, personalised bedrooms for the people we support and a new sensory room and coffee bar."

The work was carried out to "better reflect [residents'] personalities and preferences", the charity said.

In 2022, the home won the silver award in the Aylesbury in Bloom competition for its gardens created by staff and residents,

The charity said it had received continued support for the gardens from apprentices at Aylesbury College.

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