Residents of Hickathrift House in Marshland St James receive visit from High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire Dr Bharatkumar Khetani

A royal representative has received a grand tour of a care home, where he met the residents and deemed them “very well looked after”.

Hickathrift House, in Marshland St James, opened its doors to the High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire Dr Bharatkumar Khetani and his wife on Monday.

After seeing positive posts online about the establishment, the High Sheriff asked if he could pay a visit himself, which staff and residents were thrilled about.

General manager Paula Colman, deputy manager Sarah Sage and activities coordinator Emily Jackson welcomed the pair to the home, where they were given a tour of the building and met the residents.

After meeting everyone, Dr Khetani said: “I can see all the residents are very well looked after here, what a lovely place with lovely, caring staff too.”

In the care home, which specialises in dementia care, the High Sheriff got to see one of the ways in which the house caters for its dementia residents.

Its ‘Memory Lane’ strategy uses a blend of skills and techniques, developed by leading experts in dementia care.

The project incorporates a person-centred design by the use of colour and cues to help residents navigate the home.

It also includes specialised crockery and tableware to help with memory.

Paula said: “It was a true pleasure to meet such wonderful people, the residents found great enjoyment in welcoming the lovely High Sheriff and his wife into their home.

“It was an amazing opportunity for the residents to reminisce about the local area in which his duties are carried out.

“We thank them for coming along to visit us and for their very kind words – we look forward to welcoming them again soon.”

Hickathrift’s oldest resident, Norah, said: “I really enjoyed meeting him and learning about the High Sheriff’s duties today.”

While Joan, another resident, said: “It was a pleasure to meet such a wonderful couple.”