Attlee Court recently held a special event to celebrate the renaming of its care units, marking an important step towards creating a more personalised and community-connected environment. The renaming initiative aimed to move away from clinical naming conventions and instead honour notable local figures.
The newly named units pay tribute to Albert Ripley, a respected local councillor, and Ben Westwood, a professional rugby player. The Ripley Unit is now home to the residential care community, while the Westwood Unit has been designated as the Dementia care unit. These names were chosen through a collaborative process involving residents, their families, and staff members. After an initial discussion in a Resident and Relatives meeting, four local figures were shortlisted. A poll was then conducted on social media and within the Trust Care community, with Ripley and Westwood receiving the most votes.
Care Home Manager Michelle Smith commented: “We wanted our unit names to feel more personal and connected to the local community. Naming our first-floor unit after Ben Westwood and our ground-floor unit after Albert Ripley reflects the contributions these individuals have made to the area.”
As part of the ceremony, commemorative plaques for each unit were unveiled by the Ripley and Westwood families. Steven Westwood attended on behalf of his son Ben to open the Westwood Unit, while Christine, daughter of Albert Ripley, unveiled the Ripley Unit plaque on the ground floor. The event also featured a speech from the Mayoress of Normanton, Cllr Alison Bones, acknowledging the importance of celebrating local figures within the community.
Following the formalities, attendees enjoyed a lively celebration complete with a buffet and entertainment. A special performance by an Elvis tribute artist ensured it was a memorable day for all residents and guests.
