The power of love

By Amanda Weinberg, Nightingale Hammerson

The ability to show and receive respect, kindness and love is the key to a fulfilling life. In care homes, love manifests through shared joy, connection and compassionate care. It transcends professional duties and becomes the foundation for a community where residents and care teams can thrive together.

Sharing the joy of everyday activities is a vital part of fostering love in care homes. Working in such settings is often vocational, driven by the deep commitment of nurses, care teams, staff and volunteers.

At Nightingale Hammerson, love is an all-encompassing presence. Care teams, the engagement and therapy teams and dedicated volunteers create an environment where residents feel connected, uplifted and valued. Non-romantic love has the power to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, improving residents’ overall wellbeing.

For many, moving into a care home can be an emotional and challenging transition, especially for those who have lost a lifelong partner or are no longer able to care for themselves. In such moments, emotional nurturing, care and support become invaluable.

Volunteers play a fundamental role in creating a sense of security and comfort for residents. Some volunteers have been with Nightingale Hammerson for years, offering companionship and unwavering dedication. A simple gesture such as holding a hand, listening to worries or sharing stories can have an immense impact on a resident’s wellbeing, boosting immunity, improving sleep, lowering blood pressure and reducing stress.

Art by healthcare assistant Jeremiah.[Missing Credit]

The love and attention provided by the volunteer teams enhance residents’ mental and emotional health. Activities such as walking through the gardens together, playing board games or engaging in reminiscence and art sessions foster sharp minds and strong emotional bonds. Shared laughter and memories help to boost the residents’ mood and improve their quality of life.
At the core of exceptional care lies the dedication of individuals such as Philip White, the head gardener at Nightingale House, whose commitment earned him the Compassion Award at the 3rd Sector Care Awards. For residents such as Colette, who is visually impaired, Phil’s care and compassion are a lifeline. Through thoughtful recordings of the sea and waterfalls on his travels, Phil reminds Colette of the joy she used to experience from nature. Before a medical procedure, Colette told Phil how the sounds of the MRI machine were magnified, making the experience powerful and frightening for her. With the whirring of the machine around her, Colette listened to Phil’s latest recording of waves crashing on a beach. Calmed and inspired by the sounds of the sea, Colette composed a heartfelt poem of gratitude and appreciation to Phil for his commitment and dedication to the garden and to the residents of Nightingale House.

“I have never seen the garden or Phil the gardener, but as I say in my poem, the gardener is a burst of laughter that resonates in my heart. He brings the garden alive for me, so I can smell, hear and see it,” she says.

At Hammerson House, Wlodka, a Holocaust survivor, is a beloved resident. Her calm demeanour and love of activities such as board games, French conversation and coffee mornings make her a treasured presence. When residents read a play in French about her life in the Warsaw Ghetto, their care and admiration for her are palpable, demonstrating how love and respect permeate the Nightingale Hammerson community.

Jeremiah, a healthcare assistant at Hammerson House, combines his passion for art and poetry to deepen his relationships with residents. He draws sketches with personalised poems, bringing immense happiness to those he cares for. “My work has become much more personal due to the relationships I have forged through my art and poetry,” he says.

Romantic love is also cherished at Nightingale Hammerson. Last Valentine’s Day, Hammerson House hosted a celebratory dinner for couples, complete with hearts, flowers and romantic music. This thoughtful celebration brought joy to both residents and care teams, highlighting the enduring power of love.
For Nightingale Hammerson’s chief executive Jenny Pattinson supporting policies that enhance the residents’ quality of life is an act of love. On Valentine’s Day and beyond, gratitude is extended to all staff, volunteers and care teams who make the residents’ lives fulfilling, purposeful and joyful.
“We embrace the concept of ‘professional love’ in everything we do,” says Pattinson.
“In both homes, professional love is demonstrated through showing kindness and compassion, devoting time and attention to people and mostly about creating connection through our shared humanity. Showing that love for one another is not about what we say, it is about what we do, and we know it’s there because we can feel it.”
At Nightingale Hammerson, love is not just an emotion, it is a lifeline. Whether expressed through daily interactions, acts of compassion or shared celebrations, love transforms care homes into communities of belonging. It reduces isolation, fosters connection and ensures every resident feels valued and cherished. At Nightingale Hammerson, love truly makes life worth living.

Nightingale Hammerson has cared for older members of the Jewish community for 185 years, providing compassionate residential, respite, nursing, dementia and palliative care to more than 250 residents at Nightingale House and Hammerson House, Wohl Campus.

To book a tour or learn more about its outstanding care, contact the residents’ services team on residentsservices@nightingalehammerson.org or 020 8673 3495.
nightingalehammerson.org

Registered charity 207316