The Vivaldi team had a truly inspiring visit to Maypole Grove in Birmingham recently — a welcoming home that supports adults living with complex needs arising from mental health and neurological conditions, including dementia and Huntington’s disease.
With 30 bedrooms across three purpose-built, small-scale units, Maypole Grove offers a homely, person-centred environment where people are supported to lead meaningful lives and achieve their personal goals.
From the moment we arrived, we were met with an incredible welcome — stunning balloon arches, delicious Vivaldi cupcakes, and a beautifully decorated room courtesy of the fantastic activities team.
Home Manager, Zoe Shears, Head of Nursing, Lianne Ford, and their dedicated team made us feel right at home. Their warmth and enthusiasm set the tone for a wonderful day of sharing, learning, and celebrating the power of research and compassionate care.
We were joined by CQC Inspector, Andreas Blackwood, and ENRICH Lead for the West Midlands, Nicola Standen, adding further depth and insight to the discussions.
The Vivaldi team had the pleasure of presenting to both staff and residents, sharing updates about ongoing research and hearing directly from those who make Maypole Grove such a special place.
Zoe and Abi, the home’s Service User Ambassador, kindly gave us a tour of the home — and what a tour it was!
Every corner of Maypole Grove reflects the voices and choices of its residents. From the cozy pamper room and welcoming cinema room, to plans for a brand- new games room, it’s clear that resident involvement is at the heart of everything they do.
Abi proudly showed us the raised garden planters, where residents grow flowers and herbs, and shared exciting plans to expand the garden to include more homegrown produce — like tomatoes and herbs — for the kitchen to use. It’s a beautiful example of how small, thoughtful touches can enhance wellbeing and create a true sense of community.
A special mention must go to Lianne Ford, whose passion and dedication to the Vivaldi Social Care Project has been outstanding.
From day one, Lianne has been deeply involved in advancing research within the health and social care sector, bringing her team along every step of the journey.
Her leadership and commitment have not gone unnoticed — Lianne has been shortlisted for the Care Talk Research Awards in recognition of her contribution to promoting research and evidence-based care across social care settings.
Our visit to Maypole Grove was an uplifting reminder of the compassion, innovation, and collaboration that drive the best in social care.
The Vivaldi team left inspired by the dedication of Zoe, Lianne, Abi, and the entire Maypole Grove team — and we can’t wait to return to see the new developments (especially that games room!).
