At Pine Lodge we cherish the passions and talents of our residents, celebrating the unique stories they bring to our community. Pam has always had a deep love for poetry, finding beauty in the world around her and capturing it in heartfelt verses. With a little help from her son Gary her poetry continues to flourish, weaving memories and emotions into words that resonate with us all.
Pam’s words remind us how each season brings its own charm and wonder. Her poetry is a testament to the power of creativity at every stage of life and we are so proud to share it with you.
January days so drab and drear,
Will spring ever come to bring us cheer?
No warm sun, no blue sky, only grey,
No cheerful birdsong to greet the day.
All small creatures still asleep,
Warm and snug in their burrows deep.
Cold fog, early morning mist,
The Earth still holds spring in her clenched fist.
Earth is slowly unfurling her fingers from the ground, Morning dew still lingers all around.
Birds are calling, their mates to find, Flowers are budding of every kind.
Small creatures stir, their limbs do stretch,
We turn our faces, the sun’s warmth to catch. Soft breezes stir the massed daffodils,
As the pale sun sinks behind distant hills.
The Earth’s fingers are now laid flat,
The hot sun warms the sleeping cat.
In green-leafed branches of the tree,
Birds raise their young, hidden from you and me.
Lightning flashes, thunder roars,
Then heavy showers refresh the moors.
The air revives, the flowers stand tall,
A rainbow, a wonder to enthrall.
Swallows dip and dive once more,
In the blue sky, they freely soar.
Now all birds have left their nests,
Some have flown to distant quests.
Others remain, while small creatures prepare,
Storing food with mindful care.
Days grow shorter, a chill is in the air,
Cold winds toss yellow and brown leaves everywhere.
I wish I could still smell the scent of the rose,
But once again, the Earth’s fingers begin to close.
Despite a successful stint as one of the youngest finance directors in London, specialising in mergers and acquisitions for a prominent advertising company, Marc found his professional success to be hollow. Driven by a desire to serve the community, he left the lucrative world of finance to establish an accountancy practice and business consultancy in Lewisham. His mission was clear: guide local start-ups and small businesses toward financial transparency and profitability.
As Marc’s consultancy flourished, he received a crucial call from Eleanor in 2005, who was struggling to keep her nursing agency afloat after 26 years. Marc took on the challenge, initiating a leap of faith that marked the beginning of a transformative journey. Today, the Eleanor Healthcare Group stands as a model business in the care sector, with over 1500 dedicated members, fluent in 112 languages, supporting over 3000 clients. The senior staff, with a combined experience of over 100 years in health and social care, has been instrumental in guiding and participating in the organisation’s remarkable growth.
Marc draws inspiration from his team of staff, care workers, and frontline keyworkers, acknowledging their role in preserving the life and dignity of the most vulnerable in the community. He emphasises that Eleanor is an organization with people at its core, having created a paradigm shift in the care sector with the driving principle that social care is about people, not processes. In 2009, Marc introduced the concept of person-centric care, responding to a request from Richmond Council. Eleanor Healthcare Group led the transformation, offering tailor-made services and pioneering an outcomes-based approach in collaboration with local authorities. The organisation then took a leading role in preventive care, integrating health and social care services and introducing a novel caring model to Lewisham Council based on the Buurtzorg model.
Despite numerous achievements, Marc sees success as just the beginning. The Eleanor family remains ready to take another leap of faith, with trust in people above processes. In the face of mounting challenges to health and social care systems, Marc has been steering Eleanor to the forefront of much-needed innovation within the UK and globally. Eleanor Healthcare Group takes pride in its identity, never compromising integrity, and always preserving its true essence. The commitment to taking the road less travelled is evident as it approaches the next fork in the future of healthcare, promising to continue breaking new ground and redefine possibilities.