TV legend Anneka Rice has challenged care homes to take part in a national singalong to mark Thank You Day as part of Care Home Open Week.

Thank You Day, held on Sunday, 2 July, was the third annual event designed to give people chance to say thank you to everyone and everything that makes communities great places to live in and to get connected with the people they live alongside all year round.

Chandlers Ford Care Home, in Eastleigh, run by HC-One, welcomed Rice to launch the musical celebration.

Jim Bowie, home manager at Chandlers Ford Care Home, said: “We were delighted to welcome Anneka Rice to Chandlers Ford as part of Care Home Open Week. Residents and colleagues had a brilliant time, and thoroughly enjoyed joining in the musical ‘Thank You Day’ celebration session with Anneka and Young Voices, singing the song ‘Thank You For Being A Friend’. We’re so pleased to have been part of this important celebration.  

“Celebrating Thank You Day as part of Care Home Open Week has been a fantastic opportunity to once again welcome our local community, bring everyone together for fun activities, and also to thank everyone involved in life at Chandlers Ford, from our colleagues through to members of the local community, all of whom make such a difference.

“The week was also a chance for us to showcase what life at Chandlers Ford is like, share career and volunteering opportunities, and remind our local community that our kind care teams and facilities are here for them if they ever need support.”

Rice said: “I had such a lovely time at HC-One’s Chandlers Ford care home in Hampshire to mark Thank You Day and Care Home Open Week”.