KINCARDINE residents displaced by a devastating fire last year have been able to walk back through the doors at Forth Bay Care Home last week.

Twenty-two residents were successfully moved back into the north wing which has been fully refurbished – some to the rooms they left after the fire and others to different rooms.

Two shuttle buses travelled back and forth with people and their possessions from Blair Castle where many of the Forth Bay residents have been living.

In some cases, many personal items had already been put in place to help make people feel back at home right away.

Fiona Day, home manager, said: “Everyone was back at Forth Bay by lunchtime on moving day. It was a real team effort from Caring Homes colleagues along with friends and relatives of some of the residents.”

There was a simple ribbon cutting to mark the occasion with resident Sandy the first one back through the doors and being given the honour of cutting the ribbon.

Jackie Morrison, regional manager for Scotland, added: “It was a very emotional day but the residents have settled in really quickly and there have been lots of happy tears from both residents and staff.

"We are all delighted to be back at Forth Bay.”

Jackie said that the progress made to date and this milestone of the first residents moving back in has been made possible because of everyone’s focus, commitment and dedication as well as fantastic support from other agencies and the local community.

Some of the Forth Bay team are still working at Glenbervie where some Forth Bay residents are living until the rebuild has been completed.

Forth Bay, in Kincardine on Forth, is part of Caring Homes Group and provides care for people with nursing and dementia care needs as well as people with learning disabilities.

Plans to rebuild the south wing at Forth Bay, which had to be demolished following the fire last August, include the installation of wireless access points across the home to provide internet access in all areas and enable use of the latest technology, including a new nurse call system.

Amongst other improvements residents will benefit from modern new servery areas, the installation of the latest assisted baths on each floor, and general upgrades to bath/wet rooms with the addition of new flooring and furnishings throughout.

To find out more about Caring Homes and Forth Bay visit our website caringhomes.co.uk