GOWER Gardens Care Home in Halesowen is rallying behind the charity New Beginnings which supports victims of domestic abuse.

The home in Kent Road was taken over by national care provider Kingsley Healthcare in the summer and staff are forging new community links to celebrate the relaunch.

New Beginnings, which offers a wide range of support services, as well as emergency housing, is the first charity to benefit from the home’s initiative.

Staff put together toiletry bags and gave them to Jayne Rowley, who works for Churches Housing Association of Dudley and District, on the charity’s behalf.

Home manager Joanne Robb said: “We were told toiletry bags would be very welcome because women and men entering the refuge usually arrive with nothing more than the clothes they are wearing.

“Jayne was so appreciative and has given us ideas for other ways we can help, such as putting together food baskets.”

Mrs Robb said: “It’s important for our residents that we are at the heart of the community.

"New Beginnings was suggested to us by a relative of one of our residents who works with local churches.

“In the future, we will be looking to support other good causes as well.”

Gower Gardens is supporting the national Warm Spaces initiative along with all the other Kingsley homes around the UK.

Throughout the winter, older people are being welcomed at Gower Gardens to keep warm in a comfortable space between 10.30am and 4pm.

They will be offered unlimited hot drinks and soup and a roll if they attend around lunchtime.

Gower Gardens hospitality manager Holly Payne said: “When we heard about Warm Spaces being launched to help people struggling to heat their homes we thought it would be a great idea to help our community.

“We would just ask people to ring the home beforehand and let us know they are coming.”