The St Albans Abbeyfield Society marked its Golden anniversary last week with a celebratory Thanksgiving Service at St Stephens Church on 15th May at 4.00 pm. Staff, volunteers, residents and supporters of the house, which is run by a board of voluntary trustees, attended the church service alongside the Mayor and Mayoress of St Albans to commemorate this important milestone.
The St. Albans Society, dedicated to making the lives of older people easier and more fulfilling, was founded in 1960. The Society built Grace Muriel House, named after generous benefactor Grace Muriel Payne in 1972 who left her estate to the society, to provide care for older people in a home like setting. It is now home to 37 residents.
The St Albans Abbeyfield society is a member of the Abbeyfield Society; a nationwide, not for profit organisation which provides full support with companionship. Annette Gibbons, Manager of Grace Muriel House, and her devoted staff maintain that although the house has changed a lot over the course of fifty years to accommodate the changing needs of residents, the vision remains the same.
Evelyn Andrews Honorary Secretary said: “The founding principles of Abbeyfield remain strong and it’s the combination of these values and a loyal and dedicated staff that genuinely care for residents that set us apart from other homes.”
She continued: “We’ve put in an application for an extension which will enable us to continue to provide a home for our elderly residents with improved facilities. Abbeyfield’s Asset Management Team has proved invaluable in this endeavour, advising us on how best to proceed. They have been instrumental in helping us secure an agreement in principle from the local planning authorities for these improvements and will now continue to advise us on the way forward to progress the scheme. We are really looking forward to the home improvements which will further enrich the lives of our current and future residents.”