As part of award-winning Balhousie Care group, ASC enjoyed their 30th Birthday bonanza yesterday, but it also marked their goodbye to much-loved staff member, Lead Nurse, Jessica Reid, leaving to return to her native Australia.

The party was set to mark the anniversary of Balhousie Care Groups’ 30 years in business.  And like all big birthdays, it’s worth celebrating all year round, so all Balhousie homes were given bespoke birthday goodies and a voucher to spend on their own celebrations throughout this year.

ASC was the latest home to get outdoors and celebrate, with a bouncy castle, fun competitions of Beat the Goalie, Guess the Teddy’s Name, Guess the Sweets in the Jar, as well as a Hook a Fish stand welly-throwing and throw wet sponges at the staff stand too! Service users had a fabulous time at their end-of-summer party, taking to the coloured hairspray and finishing with lots of wonderful karaoke!

But, despite the rain holding off and the sun shining on the festivities, feelings were bittersweet, as sad service users recognised Jess’s last day with them, complete with Australian flags and a giant kangaroo costume.

Service Manager Leanne Fairburn said: “It’s been an emotional day as the birthday joy is mixed with an Australian goodbye to our lead nurse who is returning to Oz. Huge thank you to all the staff who worked so hard to organise. A huge thank you to Jess as well, whose outstanding work at ASC has helped create so many positive outcomes for those using the service. She will be missed by all the staff and service users but we wish her all the best!”