St Olaf Care Home Manager Honoured at Royal Garden Party

We're absolutely delighted to share some wonderful news about one of our own. Kath Allan, Care Home Manager at our St Olaf Care Home in Nairn, has received the most incredible honour – a personal invitation to attend King Charles' Garden Party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

This prestigious recognition celebrates everything we value at Meallmore: going above and beyond, caring for our communities, and making a real difference in people's lives.

A Well-Deserved Royal Invitation

On 1 July, Kath joined thousands of other community champions at the Palace of Holyroodhouse for this special royal tradition. The annual Garden Party, dating back to King George V and Queen Mary, gives The King the opportunity to personally meet people who've made a positive impact in their communities.

Kath received her invitation from George Asher, Lord Lieutenant of Nairnshire, on behalf of King Charles, recognising her outstanding services to the community. While we don't know who nominated her (nominations remain anonymous), we can certainly understand why someone felt compelled to put her forward.

What makes Kath so special isn't just the exceptional care she provides to our residents and support she gives our team at St Olaf – though she absolutely excels in both areas. It's how she extends that same caring spirit throughout Nairn and beyond.

Kath lends her time to numerous local causes. She's the kind of person who sees a need and steps up to help, embodying the values that make Meallmore homes such integral parts of their communities.

A Day to Remember

Accompanied by her partner Brian, Kath had the experience of a lifetime at the Garden Party – including a personal chat with King Charles himself.

Kath said:

"It was so surreal to be invited to such a wonderful event, and I feel totally honoured. I don't think I do anything special – I'm just me, and I just want everyone to be happy, healthy and safe. There's much too much unhappiness and selfishness in the world, so I like to do little things where I can to help others to flourish and be the best they can be.

"I had such a lovely day. I was fortunate to meet King Charles and have a brief chat with him, which was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I'd like to thank whoever nominated me, and a special thank you to all the people who work with me to make a difference. While I can facilitate support in many cases, there are many more people who join me in to put actions in place, and I wouldn't be receiving this recognition without them."

Why This Matters to Us

Kath's royal recognition reflects something we're incredibly proud of across all our Meallmore homes – our team members don't just provide outstanding care within our walls, they're active, valued members of their local communities.

This is what sets us apart. When you choose Meallmore, you're not just choosing a care provider – you're becoming part of a community where people genuinely care about making life better for everyone around them.

What we love most about Kath is her genuine humility. Despite everything she does – managing a busy care home, supporting countless community initiatives, and touching so many lives – she sees it all as just "little things." That perspective tells you everything you need to know about her character.

Her philosophy of helping others "flourish and be the best they can be" isn't just something she says – it's how she lives every day, whether she's supporting our residents, mentoring our team, or strengthening the Nairn community.

Our Commitment Continues

Kath's royal recognition is a wonderful reminder of the impact one person can have when they truly care. It also reflects our ongoing commitment to being more than just care providers – we're community partners, invested in the wellbeing of everyone we serve.

At St Olaf and across all our homes, we're proud to have team members like Kath who embody our values every single day. Her invitation to the King's Garden Party celebrates not just her individual achievements, but the spirit of care and community that defines who we are at Meallmore.

Congratulations, Kath – this recognition is so well deserved, and we couldn't be prouder to have you as part of our community.