July 2014

An acclaimed expert in the design, research and use of healing gardens, therapeutic landscaping and dementia-friendly spaces has embarked on his first project in Scotland after being enlisted to play his part in an innovative new Aberdeen care project.

Dr Garuth Chalfont has developed a blueprint for the landscaping at the new Simeon Care for the Elderly development. The 23-bedroom care home is currently under construction in the grounds of the organisation’s existing facility at Cairnlee Road in Bieldside.

Dr Chalfont is an internationally recognised specialist who has worked on projects throughout England and across the US.

The landscape architect’s work with Simeon represents his first project in Scotland and as part of that he has shared his knowledge and expertise with the wider care community in the north-east, hosting an Aberdeen workshop attended by 60 individuals from throughout the care sector in the region. This was kindly organised by the Wellbeing Team at Aberdeen City Council.
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June 2014

North-east Camphill care charity Simeon Care for the Elderly will mark its 30^th anniversary this Sunday (June 8) with a ceremony at the site of its innovative new facility.
Family and friends are invited to send a stones to build a small cairn which will be placed within the foundations of Simeon’s ambitious care development at Cairnlee Road, Bieldside, in recognition of this milestone.&nbsp
Warm wishes and personal messages from those who have played a part in the charity’s development over the past 30 years will also be collected and collated in a book for all to read. Continue reading »

May 2014

Businesses have boosted plans for an innovative north-east care development by pledging thousands of pounds to the ambitious project.

Recent corporate donations to Simeon Care for the Elderly and its New Lease of Life appeal have added more than £25,000 to the running total and the £2million fundraising campaign is more than half way to meeting its ambitious target.

Simeon is currently home to 18 older people but the ongoing appeal will enable a new facility to be built within the grounds of the existing facility, with construction already underway. The aim is to significantly improve the current care home services to the elderly and to boost capacity by providing 23 en-suite bedrooms. The building on land at Cairnlee Road in Bieldside, designed by Camphill Architects, features dementia-friendly design and a commitment to energy efficient technology. Continue reading »

May 2014
An Aberdeenshire fuel company has donated £10,000 in a generous show of support for a north-east fundraising campaign. Tipperty-based firm Connon Brothers Coal and Oil has thrown its weight behind the New Lease of Life appeal by Simeon Care for the Elderly, becoming the biggest corporate donor to date. Simeon is currently home to 18 older people but the ongoing appeal will enable a new facility to be built within the grounds of the existing facility, with construction already underway. The aim is to significantly improve the current care home services to the elderly and to boost capacity by providing 23 en-suite bedrooms. The building on land at Cairnlee Road in Bieldside, designed by Camphill Architects, features dementia-friendly design and a commitment to energy efficient technology. The £2million fundraising campaign has attracted significant support and is more than half way to meeting its ambitious target. Gayle Johnston, Simeon’s fundraising manager, said: “The Connon Brothers donation really is phenomenal and we cannot thank everyone at the company enough. We were absolutely speechless when we were told about the figure involved. Continue reading »

March 2014

May you live all the days of your life. Those nine words, penned in the 18^th century by the acclaimed Irish writer of Gulliver’s Travels, Jonathan Swift, provide the inspiration for a unique care organisation which is preparing to officially launch its 30^th birthday celebrations.

The Swift mantra may be from a bygone era, but could just as easily have been written with the forward thinking Simeon Care for the Elderly in mind as it prepares for the next exciting chapter in a rich history.

The Simeon story began in 1984, when the care complex was opened as a facility for the elderly at Cairnlee Road in the Aberdeen suburb of Bieldside. The independent charity, which is part of the Camphill Movement and one of seven Camphill charities in Aberdeen, has been providing compassionate and innovative care ever since and is currently home to 18 elderly residents.

On Saturday (March 29) staff, residents, family, friends and supporters from throughout the north-east will join for a celebration to mark the start of a programme of events to mark the 30 anniversary. The gala ceilidh at the Newton Dee Phoenix Centre, generously sponsored by Bancon Construction and Scotmid Co-operative, will provide a chance to reflect on the achievements of the past three decades.
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