Haylie House was the first residential care home for the elderly in the beautiful seaside town of Largs, Ayrshire on the west coast of Scotland.

 

The house, overlooking the town, enjoys commanding views of the Firth of Clyde and Argyllshire hills.

 

It was built between 1885 and 1887 and passed through various ownerships before the Town Council agreed in April 1953 that it could be leased to a Board of Trustees for use as a residential care home for the elderly. However, the Trustees were to be responsible for raising the money to renovate and run the home.

 

The Trustees immediately embarked on a vigorous fund raising campaign. Due to the support and generosity of the people of Largs a large sum of money was raised for Haylie House. Local doctors, churches, organisations, businesses and individuals all supported the fund.

 

Major renovations and refurbishment work followed including the installation of central heating, a new dining room to accommodate residents in wheelchairs and new bathrooms and toilets. By January 1955 the transformation of Haylie House was all but complete and it was officially opened on 20th April 1955.

 

The 30 year period from 1960 to 1990 saw continual improvements to the building and its facilities, the most significant of these being three extensions. The first of these, an annexe for male residents, was opened during the 1960s. A second extension, consisting of an additional dining room, toilets and offices was completed in 1984. An annexe containing a lounge and seven bedrooms with en-suite facilities was completed in 1987.

 

Things were going well for Haylie House until a disastrous fire broke out during lunch time on 15th July 1991. All of the residents were quickly led to safety. Haylie House suffered extensive damage and the building was closed for three years. It reopened in August 1994 with many improvements. These included en-suite facilities, fire proofed rooms and a modern kitchen.

 

Haylie House celebrated its Gold Anniversary in 2005 and in 2015 we have reached our Diamond Anniversary.

 

The Board of Trustees has been able to continue with a programme of continuous improvements. In the past five years with the financial assistance of generous benefactors, legacies and fund raising events we have been able to undertake two major work projects and a third is planned.  The first phase of the works which was completed in 2011 involved converting the lounge to the south of the building into two new en-suite bedrooms as well as upgrading all of the bathrooms and shower rooms, refurbishing the main lounge and dining room and adding a quiet lounge. Medical baths were also installed in the bathrooms.

 

The second phase of the improvements brought an area on the first floor, which had been out of use since the fire in 1991 back into use. This was converted to an administration suite, with this in turn freeing up areas at ground floor level.  This space was used to provide a secure pharmacy store, a treatment room, wheelchair store and improved toilet facilities for residents, staff and visitors. All the bedrooms were then refurbished and a sun patio at the front of the building constructed. This phase was completed in 2013.

 

Our latest project was completed in 2016 when a spacious garden room and patio was added to the rear of the house. The residents enjoy a colourful and airy atmosphere there where tea parties, entertainment and arts and crafts take place. The pathways were widened to accommodate wheelchairs, allowing the residents to have access to front and rear patios unhindered.

 

Future plans include a dementia garden extending from the rear patio and also a garage/workshop for our newly acquired mini-bus.

 

Our residents live in a warm, comfortable environment and have the highest standard of care. An extensive entertainment programme is in place which includes regular outings to local attractions including Cardwell Bay Garden Centre, Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Braehead Shopping Centre, tea lunches at the Willowbank Hotel and local pantomimes and shows.

 

Activities include exercise programmes, cake decorating, movie nights, sing a longs, walks in the gardens, reminiscence and life story work. We also publish a monthly newsletter for the residents and their relatives.

 

Haylie House has a Dementia Friendly Community aim and objective. All of our staff, carers as well as ancillary staff, are trained to a high level in Dementia care. This gives our residents a setting where people with dementia are understood, respected and supported, and are confident that they can contribute to a friendly community way of life.

 

We like to make them feel included and involved, and have a choice over their day-to-day lives with dignity and respect.

 

For more information, contact us by clicking here.