By Paula Craen, Home Manager
Compton House staff and residents will be forever grateful to Leslie Fry, a former loyal Compton House supporter and volunteer. For many years, Leslie would spend hours every week as a volunteer at the Home making teas, reading and talking with residents and maintaining that very important link for residents with the community. He also involved himself in fundraising events in order to help the Home continue to flourish. Leslie was a devout Christian; he so believed in the values of Compton House that it was where he chose to close the final chapter of his life.
Leslie left a big void and was missed not only by Compton House but by many in Lindfield, where he was an active member of the community. Then to everyone’s great surprise the Trustees of Compton House were informed that he had left a substantial legacy to be used to benefit the residents in his will. After much consideration the Trustees decided to extend the dining room facilities. Many people now living in Compton House have complex needs and the existing dining room was too small to accommodate all of the residents. Leslie’s legacy has transformed this and now every resident can eat in a stylish and airy space. The extension was designed in such a way that it has also enabled us to have an area that can be part of the main room or closed off to provide a multi-functional private space. This Christmas every resident and many relatives were able to enjoy lunch together.
Residents, relatives, supporters, volunteers, staff and trustees were all invited to a tea party to celebrate the official opening of the dining room. Jeremy Nurse, one of the Trustees, gave a tribute to our benefactor and Mervyn Weeks of Lindfield Evangelical Free Church gave the blessing. Life at Compton House, thanks to Leslie Fry, has been wonderfully enhanced.He left a void when he died but he will always be warmly remembered here.
Compton House Christian Nursing Home continues to have loyal supporters and a willing group of volunteers. The lovely gardens are maintained exclusively by the gardening group. Volunteers also help meet and greet visitors and answer the telephone in the afternoons, help with outings and some come to spend time with residents, reading, chatting and playing games.
If you would like to know more about Compton House and the care it can offer or you are interested in being a volunteer, please contact in the first instance the Office Manager on 01444 482662.
Full article also on page 13.