McKillop Gardens care home in East Kilbride has received glowing feedback in a recent unannounced inspection, reaffirming its commitment to providing exceptional care and support to residents.

The positive report highlights the home’s strong leadership, dedicated staff, and person-centred care. It praised McKillop Gardens for its outstanding attention to residents' wellbeing, noting that staff go above and beyond to provide high-quality care.

For resident Jimmy Ingram, McKillop Gardens is more than just a place to live — it’s a continuation of a life rooted in community and connection. Jimmy, originally from Bridgeton, will be 99 this month and has lived a life full of service and dedication, first as a bus driver in East Kilbride, then as a postman, and even as a long-time volunteer with the Territorial Army and a Regimental Sergeant Major with the Army Cadets.

Reflecting on his years of work, Jimmy said: “It was a good job being a bus driver. You get to meet and know the people — the conductors, drivers, the people travelling. You got to know them all. As a postman, I got to more or less know everyone in the village. I still meet people and they say to me, ‘You were my postman’. And I retired forty years ago!”

Beyond his professional life, Jimmy and his late wife, Margaret, played a pivotal role in shaping services for children with learning disabilities in East Kilbride. Their daughter Mary, who is also a resident at McKillop Gardens, has learning difficulties from birth and at that time no formal support existed for families in similar situations.

In the 1960s, they were instrumental in establishing the town’s first Enable group. Their efforts in fundraising and advocacy led to long-lasting improvements, including the establishment of Sanderson High School, a specialist facility for children with additional support needs.

Jimmy said: “We did lots of fundraising and must have visited every house in East Kilbride looking for support. I was chairman for thirty-odd years. I’ve been chairman for a few committees during my life – Enable, Scottish Pensioners’ Association and the Royal Army Service Core. I didn’t have time for hobbies, I always had meetings and a room full of paperwork to get through from all these committees.”

Jimmy’s daughter, Margaret, who was a nurse at University Hospital Hairmyres for 50 years, latterly as clinical night manager before retiring last year, is deeply grateful for the care her father and sister, Mary, now receive at McKillop Gardens, reinforcing the importance of family connections within the care setting.

“I’m very happy with the care my dad and sister are getting. My dad has had a great life and he’s getting really well looked after in here,” she said. “You walk in the door and know you are welcome. The place is spotlessly clean, the staff are all caring, and the food is out of this world. You could not fault this place. It’s been the best move for my dad.

“I come to visit my dad and sister several times a week. I take them down to the town centre and we have a wander around the shops, go to a cafe and the park. The garden here is big, well-maintained and beautiful so we go there too.”

McKillop Gardens' latest Care Inspectorate report reinforces these sentiments. The report found that the home maintains a very good level of care, highlighting the team’s dedication to residents’ wellbeing, safe medication management, engaging activities, and a clean, welcoming environment. Leadership at the home was also praised, with staff described as approachable and highly committed to delivering person-centred care.

Chief Officer of South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership, Professor Soumen Sengupta, praised the dedication of the McKillop Gardens team, stating:
“This report is a testament to the hard work and commitment of the entire staff team at McKillop Gardens. Their dedication to delivering compassionate, high-quality care ensures that residents receive the best possible support and enjoy a welcoming, nurturing environment.

“My congratulations to all involved, and my thanks to our residents and their families for their continued support.”

Jimmy, who moved into McKillop Gardens in May 2024, has embraced the community spirit of the home.
He said: “The staff are really nice, very helpful, and the food is fantastic — I’m eating things I never had before! I have some good friends in here, and we have a good chat. I have a good routine, keeping busy, and the staff are always there to help.”

The inspectorate report also commended McKillop Gardens for its safe medication management, engaging activities tailored to individual preferences, and a warm, inclusive atmosphere that makes residents feel truly at home. Inspectors highlighted the spotless cleanliness of the environment and the commitment to infection prevention, ensuring a safe and comfortable setting for all.

As McKillop Gardens continues to uphold its high standards of care, the inspiring stories of residents like Jimmy serve as a testament to the home’s success in fostering a true sense of belonging, dignity, and quality of life for all who live there.