St Monica Trust has been providing care for older people for 100 years and last week residents, staff, trustees, volunteers, civic leaders, family and friends have come together to mark the occasion with a range of special events. On Wednesday, a Thanksgiving Service was held at Bristol Cathedral, creating time and space to reflect on all that has been achieved over the past century; and on Thursday, five synchronised garden parties took place in each of the retirement villages owned and run by the St Monica Trust.
Cote Lane Retirement Village in Westbury-on-Trym hosted their branch of the celebration for over 300 guests under a grand marquee in the presence of the Trust’s Patrons, Sir David and Lady Wills, with TV and radio presenter Steve Le Fevre taking on the role of Master of Ceremonies. A live link was beamed to the other four villages in Westbury, Sandford, Bedminster and Keynsham, where all guests were able to hear the commemorative speeches given by President of the St Monica Trust Tim Ross, Chief Executive David Williams and special guest, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Bristol, Peaches Golding OBE.
Guests enjoyed a moving performance by the Garden House Residents’ Handbell Ringing Group who performed Ode to Joy, with the talented bell ringers all aged between 98 and 104 years young.
Each of the five villages buried a time capsule to be opened in 100 years’ time. The capsule buried at Garden House Cote Lane included a letter written by the residents who had more than 8,000 years of lived experience between them.
The St Monica Home of Rest, as the Trust was known in 1925, was founded by Henry Herbert Wills (affectionately known as Harry) and Dame Mary Monica Wills who established the charity to provide accommodation and financial support for missionaries returning to England after a lifetime’s service overseas.
Following the death of her husband in 1922, Dame Monica became President of the charity and not only oversaw the building of the Home of Rest, but also its day-to-day running, until she died in 1931.
Speaking to audiences gathered all over the South West, Tim Ross said: “Today’s event is not only a celebration of the longevity and stability of this important charity, but it is also an opportunity to honour the St Monica Trust’s founders and all those who have contributed to its many successes over the last one hundred years.”
Peaches Golding OBE said in her speech: “The St Monica Trust is a jewel in Bristol’s community crown and this celebration of 100 years of caring is truly special.”
David Williams said: “In 1925, the Home generated its own electricity via a self-contained power plant and was heated by a coal-fired central heating system. Over the years, the charity has seen many changes, but what remains untouched throughout the last century is the extraordinary dedication and skill of the staff, the contribution that residents make to our villages and care homes, and the unquenchable desire to continue building upon our founders’ vision of creating communities where older people flourish.”
Expanding from a single care home in 1925, today the St Monica Trust operates five retirement villages and four care homes across Bristol, BANES and North Somerset, and through its Charitable Giving programme provides more than £1 million in funding to support individuals, organisations and communities within the South West. The charity employs more than 1,500 local people and supports 1,200 older people in its villages and care homes, including residents funded by social services.
