Dementia unit reopens following damage caused by flash floods

A specialist dementia unit in Stretton Hall Nursing Home in Shropshire has reopened following an extensive refurbishment after heavy rain and flash floods in September left the whole of the ground floor under water and residents needing to be evacuated.  

Andy Munro, mayor of Church Stretton, officially opened the new Garden Suite, which has been completely restored with new floorings, fittings and furnishings.  The caring team at the home hosted a party to welcome their residents back and to celebrate the reopening, which was attended by residents and their families as well as the Stretton Belly Dancers.

Flood water started pouring into the home on 26 September 2024, when torrential rain caused damage and disruption across Shropshire. Water from the Batch Valley surged into All Stretton and into a number of properties in the village, including the dementia unit.

The team at Stretton Hall, with the help of volunteers from Church Stretton Fire Service, swiftly evacuated residents from the dementia household and led them to safety.  Residents were initially housed in a makeshift dormitory in the main building, before some went to the Nursing Home and others were transferred to the Care Centre in Wellington.

Andy Munro, mayor of Church Stretton said:

“It is brilliant to see the Stretton Hall dementia unit reopened after floods wreaked such havoc. I witnessed the extent of the water damage back in September and the transformation between then and now is incredible.  It’s wonderful that the residents are now back where they belong and it was a pleasure to meet so many of them and their families at the reopening.” 

Karen Powell, Stretton Hall general manager, said:

“It’s a great relief that our dementia Garden Suite is up and running again -  and looking better than ever.  We have missed all our residents and are so pleased to have them back in the Stretton Hall family again.

“The local community has been fabulous in their support, offering their time and skills to deliver such a swift turnaround for the home.”

Stretton Hall is set in the heart of All Stretton, a small village in Church Stretton surrounded by rolling hills. The 18th century-period building, which was once a grand hotel, has been redeveloped to create private living spaces with state-of-the-art care.The home provides high-quality care to all residents, including nursing, dementia, palliative, respite, day care and elderly care.