A surprise party was held for a staff member of a Falmouth care home after she reached 30 years of service at a care home.

Teresa Beard began working at MHA Langholme in 1994 and was recently celebrated for her three decades of dedication.

The deputy home manager was given a surprise party, complete with decorations, certificates, and gifts, in the main lounge of the home.

Starting as a care assistant, Ms Beard has worked her way up to assistant home manager and deputy home manager, a position she has held since 2018.

Ms Beard initially joined MHA Langholme after a friend told her about the job opportunity while she was working in a nursing home.

After her surprise party, Ms Beard said: "The time really has flown by.

"Things were a lot different when I first started, but MHA Langholme is an amazing place to work.

"We have always been encouraged to share our ideas and there is a real mix of a professional and homely environment.

"I have always felt very valued and listened to and have always wanted people around me to improve.

"I didn't expect to stay this long, but now I have I want this to be my last job.

"The party was a nice surprise, and I am very confused as to how I wasn't able to find out, so the home did a great job keeping it from me.

"There is a lot of compassion in the home and to have a successful career in care, one thing is for sure you need to care, and I am one of many examples that show you can have a career in care at MHA."

MHA has been providing care for more than 80 years, with 80 care homes, 59 retirement living schemes, and 43 MHA Communities hubs across the country.

They provide care and support to 17,500 older people, helping them to live well in later life.