Oakland Grange Residential Care Home, Littlehampton

28/08/2026

The Mayor of Littlehampton came to our Alice in Wonderland summer party at Oakland Grange, and this was the write-up. We're just going to let it speak for itself.

Kim's team went all in on the theme, hats and all, and the residents made their own to match. Nothing about that afternoon was staged for the occasion. It's simply what a Tuesday can look like when a home gets the culture right.

What really stood out, reading this back, was the invitation Kim extended without a second thought: "pop in for lunch anytime." That's not a line for a mayoral visit. That's how the door works at Oakland Grange, every day, for anyone.

Thank you for coming, and for putting it so kindly. We'll hold you to that lunch invitation.

28/08/2026

Oakland Grange is incredibly grateful for such a kind review.

My mum came to Oakland Grange for respite after a fall, and as a family we found it incredibly hard at first. Letting go is never easy. But very quickly, seeing the happiness return to Mum's face changed everything for us.

When it was time for her to go home, Mum told us she didn't want to leave. She had found comfort, friendship, and a real sense of belonging. She has made new friends, and the staff don't just care for her, they treat her like family. I felt that so deeply when I attended the party they held; it was truly wonderful and full of warmth, laughter, and love.

The care and attention Mum receives is exceptional at all times. The staff work tirelessly and with such kindness, and the food is absolutely sensational. Oakland Grange isn't just a place to stay it's a home. I can completely understand why Mum never wants to leave, because knowing she is happy, safe, and cared for means everything to us.

A huge thank you from us. Ricky S (Son of Resident)

If you'd like to leave us a review, please visit: https://www.carehome.co.uk/review-submit/23901/rcsid/1012/

27/08/2026

Skills for Care has shared a blog by our CEO, Kevin Humphrys, about something called the Care Workforce Pathway – and what it actually means for the people who work at Oakland Grange and Oakland Court.

In simple terms, the Pathway is a national framework that sets out what care staff at every level need to know and be able to do, from someone just starting out through to a registered manager.

We didn't wait for the government to launch it before building our own career structure – that work started back in 2023. But when the Pathway arrived, we used it to check and strengthen what we'd already put in place.

That meant going through every job description at Oakland Grange and Oakland Court, role by role, and making sure it was clear and specific. When our Lead Practitioner mapped against the Pathway's "practice leader" category, it confirmed we'd built something solid.

It also means every member of our team has a clear answer to three questions: where am I now, where could I go next, and what do I need to learn to get there.

We've taken it further in places too. Medication administration gets its own step in our framework, called Care Practitioner (M), because we think that responsibility deserves its own recognition. And every member of staff learns our care systems, including Nourish, Coolcare, CareSpace and Nobi, from their very first day.

Read Kevin's full blog through the link below, and find out more about the national support programme now open to other care providers.

https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/news-and-events/blogs/what-the-care-workforce-pathway-actually-looks-like-when-you-use-it?utm_campaign=care_workforce_pathway&utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_content=1786620360

26/08/2026

☀️ Weekly Wrap Up at Oakland Grange ☀️

Last week was filled with new activities, music, dancing and plenty of fun at Oakland Grange.

It was time to try another new activity, and it went down a treat! There was plenty of friendly competition, with everyone getting involved and enjoying themselves. A huge congratulations to Alf, our overall winner! 🥇

We also had an amazing morning of song, dance and fun with the talented Leila. Residents and staff loved joining in and enjoying the lively atmosphere. Patricia even decided to dance in the rain!

We were then treated to a very special musical performance from Andy and his beautiful harp. His mesmerising sounds created a wonderfully calming atmosphere, leaving residents and staff relaxed, engaged and completely captivated.

Thank you to everyone who helped make it another wonderful week at Oakland Grange! 💛

26/08/2026

Some news we've been waiting to share. Kim Maw, manager at Oakland Grange, has passed her Level 5 Diploma in Leading and Managing an Adult Care Service. With a Distinction.

For anyone who doesn't know what that qualification actually demands: it covers safeguarding, governance, workforce leadership, regulatory compliance, and the practical reality of running a home where 32 people rely on you getting the detail right, every single day. Kim did all of that while still running Oakland Grange.

Anyone who's met Kim knows why this doesn't surprise us. She was in the room when CQC inspectors sat with residents in April, and it's no coincidence the home came out rated Good across every area. Leadership like hers doesn't show up in a report as a single line. It shows up in the culture of the whole building.

Congratulations, Kim. Thoroughly deserved.

26/08/2026

Good news travels fast, and this is worth sharing.

Oakland Grange has been rated Good across every single area by the Care Quality Commission – safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

The inspectors visited in April and spent time actually talking to people who live with us. One resident told them, "The staff are really good here." Another said something that stuck with us: "The staff don't have to do things like this, but it just comes naturally." That's not a line we wrote. That's what people told a CQC inspector, unprompted.

A relative described the home as somewhere that "really does feel like a home, as opposed to a care home," adding, "there is always a lot of laughter." Another told inspectors they can "call in any time and do not need to let them know we are coming." That open-door reality matters more to us than any certificate on the wall.

Inspectors also noted our medicines management, our safeguarding awareness, and how care plans reflect what actually matters to each person – their routines, their preferences, updated as things change. Kim, Maria and Julie and the whole team at Oakland Grange should be proud. This rating belongs to you all.

Well done to everyone at Oakland Grange.

Read the full inspection report here: https://www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-139444462/reports/AP23945/overall

25/08/2026

Enhanced In-House Hearing and Ear Care

Now offering micro ear suctioning and hearing tests as part of our all-inclusive offering.

Good hearing isn't just about catching conversation across the lunch table - though that matters. It's about connection, confidence, and quality of life. Untreated hearing problems can lead to withdrawal, frustration, and even be mistaken for cognitive decline. We wanted to do something about that.

Several members of our care team have now completed professional training in ear cleaning and hearing assessments. Working alongside qualified audiologists, and using the latest wax removal equipment and techniques, they can now offer these services directly to residents in the comfort of their own rooms.

For many older people, a build-up of ear wax is the single biggest - and most easily addressed - cause of hearing difficulty. Left untreated, it affects everything from enjoying music to holding a conversation.

We're proud to add this to the range of health and wellbeing support we offer. It's a small change in some ways—but for residents who've been struggling to hear clearly, it makes a significant difference to daily life.

19/08/2026

☀️ Weekly Wrap Up at Oakland Grange ☀️

Last week was filled with new activities, celebrations and plenty of fun at Oakland Grange.

Residents enjoyed another fantastic homemade game, air hockey! There was plenty of friendly competition and lots of smiles all round. We also tried a new ping pong game that involved getting a little wet… although Adam may have got wetter than everyone else!

Deb led another brilliant Pilates session, helping residents work on balance, strength, flexibility and confidence. Thank you, Deb!

There were some wonderful milestones to celebrate too. A huge congratulations to Dawn on 5 years of service and Robin on an incredible 10 years at Oakland Grange. Thank you both for everything you do! 🎉

We also celebrated Wally in his own special way, enjoying a tasty KFC treat rather than a traditional birthday celebration.

Residents got creative during the solar eclipse, making their own eclipse glasses for display and enjoying the excitement of such a special event together.

We finished the week with a lovely visit from Sylvia, who shared stories from her fantastic day at Pride in Brighton.

Another week full of laughter, creativity, achievements and making memories together 💛

12/08/2026

☀️ Weekly Wrap Up at Oakland Grange ☀️

Last week was filled with creativity, achievements and lots of lovely moments at Oakland Grange.

Our sunflower plants are growing beautifully, and Jen, Janet, Maureen, Dora, and Judith were all very proud to show them off! 🌻

We also welcomed the start of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy sessions with Ayla, supporting cognitive health, wellbeing and mood through meaningful activities and conversation.

Jean has been enjoying greater independence after learning to use an Alexa device with support from our team. She can now listen to her favourite singers and music whenever she chooses, a lovely example of how small changes can make a big difference.

Jen and Tara enjoyed a trip to the local orchard to pick fresh apples, which our chef David transformed into delicious homemade apple turnovers. A perfect little taste of autumn!

There were plenty of achievements to celebrate too. A huge well done to Julie for achieving a distinction in her Level 4 Diploma, and congratulations to Rachael on reaching an amazing 5 years of service at Oakland Grange!

Residents also got creative with a brand-new activity, balloon art! The results were fantastic, and it was clear to see just how much everyone enjoyed trying something new.

Another week of creativity, independence, achievements & making wonderful memories together 💛

12/08/2026

Mad Hatters, top hats, and a mayor in the mix – Oakland Grange knows how to throw a summer party.

The team transformed the home in St Floras Road into Wonderland for the annual summer celebration, with residents choosing a Mad Hatter's Tea Party theme this year. Staff went all in on the fancy dress, and Littlehampton mayor Maralyn May joined residents, families, and friends for the afternoon.

Kim Maw, our registered manager at Oakland Grange, put it best: the mayor's presence made the day even more special, and the variety of Mad Hatter-inspired characters had everyone laughing.

Days like this matter. They're not just parties – they're proof that person-first care means creating moments residents genuinely look forward to, not just services delivered on a schedule.

Read the full story from Sussex Express here: https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/people/littlehampton-care-home-enjoys-summer-celebration-in-wonderland-8885010

A Littlehampton care home was transformed into Wonderland for its annual summer party.