Eve Belle Care Home, part of the Sanders Senior Living Group, was proud to welcome members of the local fire service on 2 October for a very special lunch dedicated to celebrating their commitment to the community.
The Wickford firefighters are not only valued emergency responders but also much-loved neighbours to the Eve Belle family. Their dedication, courage and readiness to help others have made a lasting impression on residents, families and staff.
The invitation was arranged by Home Manager, Arrianne Concepcion, who wanted to create an opportunity for Eve Belle to express its appreciation for the firefighters’ continued service to the local community. Arrianne said:
“Our firefighters are such an important part of our community, and we wanted them to know that their Eve Belle family sees, appreciates and values everything they do. They give so much of themselves to others, often at the most difficult moments in people’s lives. Inviting them for lunch was simply our way of saying a heartfelt thank you and reminding them that their community is incredibly proud of them.”
Head Chef Alfonso Sansone and the Eve Belle team were delighted to prepare a special lunch for the visiting firefighters, ensuring that the occasion was centred around good food, conversation and community.
Alfonso said:
“It was a real pleasure to prepare lunch for our Wickford firefighters. Food is one of the ways we show people that we care, and today every dish was prepared with gratitude. We wanted them to sit down, relax and enjoy being looked after for a change — even if only for a short while!”
The lunch created a wonderful atmosphere, with residents and firefighters sharing stories, laughter and conversation. For Eve Belle, the occasion was about much more than a meal, it was an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the care home and the wider Wickford community.
One particularly touching moment came when resident Audrey proudly posed alongside her beloved grandson, who is one of the firefighters.
It was a beautiful reminder that behind every uniform is a person with family, relationships and loved ones who are incredibly proud of them.
Resident Pauline was also especially grateful for the firefighters’ visit:
“I was so thankful to all the firemen for coming to see us. They do such an important job and help so many people. It was lovely to be able to say thank you to them in person. We were very happy to have them here.”
In a moment that perfectly demonstrated the reality of their work, the firefighters had barely finished their lunch when another emergency call came through.
Without hesitation, they said their goodbyes, exchanged waves and smiles with the Eve Belle family, and immediately returned to duty.
Their visit had begun with a thank-you lunch — but their departure provided an even more powerful reminder of why the community is so grateful for them.
Eve Belle is committed to creating meaningful relationships between its residents and the wider community. Visits such as this provide opportunities for residents to connect with people who play an important role in local life, while also allowing Eve Belle to recognise and celebrate those who support the community.
The firefighter lunch was a celebration of community, connection, kindness and gratitude — values that remain at the heart of life at Eve Belle.
