Brendoncare releases single to mark 40th anniversary
Residents, colleagues, community club members and volunteers join together to sing I Just Called to Say I Love You.
Hampshire-based charity The Brendoncare Foundation has released a single of an all-time favourite song to mark its 40th anniversary on 14th February.
With the day also being Valentine’s Day, Brendoncare residents, colleagues, community club members and volunteers recorded and videoed a cover version of Stevie Wonder’s classic I Just Called To Say I Love You. The single is available to buy to raise money for Brendoncare’s vital work supporting older people in the community.
You can view the video and buy the single here.
Message
Project manager, Rebecca Spicer, Brendoncare’s Wellbeing Manager, explains: “We decided to record I Just Say I Love You because not only is it a song everyone loves and enjoys, its message encapsulates everything Brendoncare stands for.
“A vital part of our community service work is offering telephone support to our club members who are living alone, feeling isolated or going through a challenging time in their lives. Our team of telephone volunteers are there to call them on a regular basis for a friendly chat or at any time when they need help or advice.”
Rebecca continues: “We had the most fantastic fun making the record and video. Everybody really came together to lend us both their time and their fantastic voices. We do have some real singing superstars out there.”
Residents and colleagues from Brendoncare’s care homes in Hampshire, Wiltshire and West Sussex appear on the single. Also contributing are two singing community clubs based in Otterbourne near Winchester and Gosport in Hampshire.
Ellis Korde, a student at the University of Winchester, made the video. The audio producer is Martine Martin, Brendoncare’s Head of Membership.
Celebrations
A wide range of celebrations are taking place to mark Brendoncare’s 40th anniversary. They include parties and lunches. At the end of the year, a time capsule will be buried.
The Brendoncare Foundation was established on 14th February 1984. Its founder, Winchester GP Sir Ronald Gibson, chaired the BMA (British Medical Association). Sir Ronald was convinced that older people were often let down by the institutions caring for them. He believed they should never have to move into a different care facility should their health fail or mobility deteriorate.
Sir Ronald pioneered the idea of tailoring a full range of care to fit the changing needs of people. Their care would always be offered with discretion, respect, and dignity. These principles continue to guide Brendoncare’s work today.
Brendoncare has built on his visions. It now operates seven care homes across the south of England. Each provides a range of care comprising residential, nursing, dementia, end of life (palliative) and respite.
Brendoncare also provides community services for older people. They include a network of more than 70 clubs across Hampshire and Dorset. Also available are online clubs, digital and telephone support, and special events. These are accessed through Brendoncare’s community membership.
For more information about Brendoncare, please visit the website or call 01962 852133.
