Wallace House

Wallace House is in Dunston, Gateshead, close to local shops and the Metro Centre.

Most of the residents and staff at Wallace House are local, and this goes a long way to explaining why it is a friendly, family-orientated care home, something that visitors often comment on when they arrive.

The staff at Wallace House have a very people-centred approach with the residents. They quickly get to know what their family and work history is, what they like and don’t like, and so on. In this way they build relationships that are warm and caring but also respectful, so that residents can retain their dignity.

The activities coordinator encourages residents to stay mentally and physically active, and arranges a wide choice of activities. When residents first arrive, they find out what gives them enjoyment and what they’ve done in the past, so that they can tailor their activities. There are all the usual things, such as board games, bingo, knit ‘n’ natter, trips out, and so on, but there’s much more, including fashion shows.

There’s a wheelchair-accessible garden, so residents can potter about and grow fruit and vegetables. The home has a good relationship with a local community centre, which organises activities, and residents go there for coffee mornings.

Wallace House also works closely with the nearby Methodist centre and local schools come in at Christmas to sing carols. There’s a Working Man’s Club over the road, so residents can pop in for a pint if they wish. Read less