A sweet surprise awaited Bridlington RNLI volunteers and other emergency services workers when a local care home delivered homemade treats to thank them for helping keep the community safe. Beechwood Care Centre marked National Emergency Services Day by visiting local ambulance and fire crews as well as volunteers at Bridlington RNLI with cakes prepared by Kim, the home’s chef.
Beechwood’s front of house manager, Claire Gill, came up with the idea because she wanted to recognise the people working and volunteering on the frontline across the seaside town. Beechwood is home to former police officers and also has former police officers among its team members. One resident has also formed a friendship with a local firefighter who regularly visits the home. Beechwood has developed a particularly close appreciation of ambulance crews, with visiting paramedics and ambulance staff routinely offered a cup of coffee and cake when attending the home.
Claire said: “We’re right in the heart of Bridlington and our emergency services are incredibly important to our residents, our team and the wider community. At Highgate, kindness is key, and this was a simple way for us to put that into practice and show our appreciation for the people who are there for our community when we need them.
“We already celebrate occasions such as Nurses’ Day, and I wanted to make sure we also took the opportunity to recognise the other emergency services and simply say thank you. We always offer visiting paramedics and ambulance crews a coffee and some cake because we know that when they’re out on the road they don’t always get the opportunity to stop and have a break. This was an extension of that – a small gesture to show people that what they do is noticed and appreciated.”
Among those receiving a delivery were volunteers at Bridlington RNLI, who had some of the homemade treats waiting for them when they returned from an exercise. For Bridlington-born Claire, recognising the town’s lifeboat volunteers was particularly important. She said: “I grew up in Bridlington knowing about the work of the RNLI, and many of our residents have their own memories of Bridlington from living or holidaying here over the years. The crew are local volunteers who give their own time and are prepared to put themselves at risk to help other people. Living in a seaside town, the RNLI is a very important part of our community, so we really wanted them to know how much that is appreciated.”
Chef Kim created a selection of decorated cakes for the deliveries, including cupcakes featuring emergency service-themed decorations. Beechwood Care Centre, on Melbourne Avenue, is operated by Highgate Care and provides residential and specialist care, working with a range of organisations across the Bridlington community.
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