A slick user-friendly navigation system ensures that each item of information can be quickly accessed via a single mouse click. “Our customers and families know what they are looking for, and we want to make it as easy as possible for them to find the information that they need,” said Andrew Kirby, IT Manager for Warrendale Cottage, with responsibility for the new website.

“We designed the site with the needs of our on-line visitors in mind, and we tried to minimize navigation times while optimising the quality of the information that they can have access to — including facilities, services, photos, location details and contact information”, Kirby added.

The site was designed by local multi-skilled IT company Mackintosh Consultants whose Managing Partner, Dr Nigel Mackintosh, noted: “We were extremely honoured to be selected by such a prestigious business to design and develop their high-profile new online presence. We of course ensured that the site complied with all relevant website standards, including HTML and CSS. However, unlike many other website design companies, our corporate policy fully recognises the requirements of the UK Disability Discrimination Act 1995, and we thus also ensured that the site complied with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines in order not to discriminate against people with disabilities”.

Andrew took part in an exhibition mixed doubles match, was the master of ceremonies in a fundraising auction and even danced with a number of lucky residents.

The deputy manager at Warrendale, Sarah Kirby, said they were delighted with the success of the day.

It was organised to mark the official opening of an extension at the home, featuring eight more en-suite bedrooms and a large concert room.

“Everyone was thrilled to meet Andrew, he was very down-to-earth and nice to speak to,” said Sarah.

Among the other activities taking place during the day, the honour of cutting a delicious celebratory cake went to Violet Willacey, the resident who has been at the home the longest.

Sarah said that the fundraising had gone extremely well, with more than £3,500 being raised for Breast Cancer UK.

She thanked everyone who had helped to make the event such a success.

Andrew Castle, a GMTV presenter since 2000, has been winning rave reviews from the public for his performances in Strictly Come Dancing.

Many thanks for looking after mum for the past 12 months and welcoming her into her family and home. I will miss the banter with the staff and residents and the loss of my ‘door job’. But life goes on and we can not lose the memories we have of happy times. Again best thanks for caring for mum.

John Dodson
November 2008

Thank you for your wonderful care of mum for two years. I never cease to thank my lucky stars that I ‘found’ Warrendale Cottage at just the right time. Please pass on my thanks to all the staff.

Margaret Lindop (Dobshill)

January 2008

I would like to take the opportunity to thank you and all the staff for looking after mum so well. When she came to Warrendale 4 years ago she was very frail and lost and lonely. You welcomed her into your family environment and regained her confidence, became stronger, very happy and contented. She enjoyed the companionship of the other ladies and always had plenty of stories to tell us.

Jane Lloyd
November 2008

I should like to thank you for the excellent care you gave my mother during the time she was with you. She could not have been in a better place. The improvement in her general condition was noticeable to all who saw her – a considerable number considering her social life.

Anne Howard

May 2004

Thank you for everything you did for mum. We know you did your best for and tried to keep her interests going. Thank you also to all the girls for their care to her personal needs. It can’t have been easy, as I appreciate only too well.  Hope all is well with the new extension, I expect it is finished by now. Please don’t lose the “homely” touch will you? You have something very special at Warrendale and we are thankful became part of your ‘family’ even though it was only for a short while.

Pat Moore

May 2008