Oaklands House Care Home in Southwold recently celebrated the grand opening of its Scenic Viewpoint and accessible woodland walk on Saturday, 2 November 2024. The event, attended by residents, families, and community members, featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by the Mayor of Southwold. This significant milestone not only enhances the care home’s facilities but also serves as a welcoming resource for the entire Southwold community.
The Scenic Viewpoint has been thoughtfully named “The Cathy Ryan Scenic Viewpoint” in honour of Cathy Ryan MBE, a former community matron with decades of dedicated service to Southwold. Cathy’s contributions, including her leadership with the Solebay Fund and Southwold Rotary Club, have left a lasting impact on the local community. This tribute was established by Oaklands House to celebrate her legacy, ensuring her contributions are remembered within the care home and beyond.

Local carpenter Daniel Moriarty played a key role in transforming the once inaccessible woodland area into a welcoming, fully accessible space. The woodland walk and viewpoint now offer residents, visitors, and community members an opportunity to enjoy nature safely, with features designed to meet the needs of those with limited mobility.
The project received generous support from the Solebay Fund and the Southwold Rotary Club, whose contributions were crucial to making this vision a reality. Oaklands House Care Home expressed its gratitude for their dedication to enhancing residents’ quality of life and creating a valuable community asset.
Ian Gooch, Manager of Oaklands House Care Home, shared his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “We are thrilled with the success of the Scenic Viewpoint opening. This project has been very important to me, and thanks to the support of the Solebay Fund, Southwold Rotary Club, and Healthcare Homes, our residents now have easy access to nature, which is so vital for their well-being. We hope it will be a cherished space for everyone to enjoy.”
The grand opening marked a joyous day for all, symbolising Oaklands House Care Home’s commitment to community engagement and well-being. Oaklands House looks forward to seeing The Cathy Ryan Scenic Viewpoint and accessible woodland walk enrich the lives of Southwold residents for years to come.


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