Welcome to Parklands CareCast – an ongoing podcast series celebrating the remarkable 30-year journey of Parklands Care Homes in the north of Scotland.
Carecast offers a warm and thoughtful look into life in our homes, with episodes capturing the voices of our residents, their memories of significant historical events, and the everyday experiences that shape care home life. The series reflects the role our homes play at the heart of their communities, and the strong bonds between residents, staff and families.
To find out more about Parklands and its award-winning approach to care, visit parklandsgroup.com
Welcome to the second episode of Peace at Last: Memories of VE Day.
In this instalment, we focus on the personal impact of the war, hearing from women whose lives were shaped by separation, loss, and sacrifice. Their stories are a poignant reminder of the hardship endured by so many during those turbulent years.
5 May 2025
Peace at Last: Memories of VE Day (part one)
Welcome to the first episode of ‘Peace at Last: Memories of VE Day.’ As we mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, we hear from women who served in the armed forces during the conflict, including two top secret codebreakers. Their stories highlight the vital roles they played behind the scenes, shaping the war’s outcome with dedication and determination.
25 Apr 2024
An audience with Ron Taylor
In this special live edition of Carecast, Ron Taylor, Managing Director of Parklands, shares his remarkable journey from caring for his World War I veteran grandfather to leading a network of care homes across the north of Scotland.
With over 750 dedicated staff members, Ron's commitment to providing exceptional care has made Parklands one of the region's largest employers. Drawing from his personal experiences, Ron emphasises the importance of ensuring peace of mind for families, with a focus on safety and quality care.
His passion is evident as he reflects on his life and work, and the people who have inspired and supported him along the way.
Thank you to Moray Chamber of Commerce and Highland News & Media for their support in bringing this inspiring conversation to life.
19 Dec 2023
Parklands at Christmas
Welcome to a special festive edition of our Carecast podcast. Settle in as we reunite with familiar faces from the main series and introduce a chorus (quite literally) of new voices. We talk to residents about their treasured memories of Christmas past, meet staff gearing up for the busy festive period and find out what it's like for our international staff to celebrate Christmas here in Scotland, far from friends and loved ones.
2 Dec 2023
A Year to Remember
In the series finale, producer Pennie Latin Stuart catches up with Parklands’ MD Ron Taylor to reflect on the year. It was a year with low points such as the decision to closure Parklands (https://www.parklandsgroup.com/)’ smallest care home in Ullapool amid spiralling costs – “the hardest decision I’ve made in 30 years in care.” But 2023 also saw Parklands save two under threat care homes in its Moray heartland, safeguarding 80 jobs and ensuring continuity of care for 70 residents. And as hundreds of residents, staff (past and present) and friends gathered in Buckie to celebrate Parklands’ 30th anniversary, Ron Taylor reflects on what his grandfather – the inspiration behind Parklands – would have made of it all. “I think he’d be proud,” he says modestly. He’d arguably be prouder still of Parklands’ ambitions for the future as it continues to expand its presence in the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire.
25 Nov 2023
New Horizons in Care
Parklands (https://www.parklandsgroup.com/)’ investment Moray and the Highlands has brought care and career opportunities to thousands. In this Carecast episode, local business leaders assess Parklands' impact, and care experts discuss the social benefits of delivering quality local care. We also explore how the way we deliver care is changing as design standards evolve and new concepts – like later living villages – emerge, complementing the traditional care home model.
18 Nov 2023
Our Family Caring For Yours
Parklands (https://www.parklandsgroup.com/) is a family affair, with husband and wife team Ron and Elaine Taylor – MD and Ops Director respectively – just one of several family partnerships working to deliver care. In this episode we meet other family groups – including Speyside manager Louise Gillies and her son and daughter, mum and daughter duo Mel and Darley who live together and work together, and sisters Gillian and Lisa whose late father was a resident at Glenisla. “I get a lot of comfort knowing that Dad was here and I feel that he’s still here.”
13 Nov 2023
Kitchen Comforts
They say the kitchen is the heart of the home – even more so when you’re cooking hundreds of meals every day for Parklands (https://www.parklandsgroup.com/)’ discerning residents. Old favourite mince and tatties is on the menu at Innis Mhor in Tain as cook Fiona Ross prepares lunch, while over in Buckie Paul Buxton and his team are busy preparing meals for not one, but five local care homes. Food plays a hugely important role in the physical and mental well-being of residents, with many dishes bringing back happy memories of their childhood. “It’s traditional, but it’s what our residents grew up with as kids so it brings back the memories,” says Paul.
8 Nov 2023
A World Away
Parklands (https://www.parklandsgroup.com/) attracts care professionals from as far afield as Poland, India, Nigeria, South Africa and the Philippines. Setting up home in a new country brings its own challenges – from the local accents to the Scottish climate – but Parklands’ international staff have embraced their new life in Scotland and are relishing the opportunity to progress their careers. Patience from Zimbabwe feels confident about her future. “I feel my tomorrow will be better because of Parklands.”
4 Nov 2023
Care from the Heart
Forget any preconceived notions you had of care homes being dull and depressing as Carecast visits Speyside care home in Aberlour. Speyside personifies Parklands (https://www.parklandsgroup.com/)’ commitment to meaningful connections that inspire and empower residents. On a busy day at Speyside - a home very much at the heart of the community - we meet local families at a children's holiday playscheme, and hear performances from the home's Heartstrings Choir. They've proved such a hit, they’re now embarking on a tour of neighbouring care homes, and residents from nearby Glenisla have also joined the ensemble.
This episode is dedicated to our dear friend Betty Hay, loved and cherished by all at Speyside Care Home.
28 Oct 2023
Inspiring People Who Care
Parklands (https://www.parklandsgroup.com/) prides itself on delivering high-quality person-centred care. In this episode of Carecast we introduce you to some of those on the frontline of delivering outstanding care, including the managers of Urray House in Muir of Ord and Innis Mhor in Tain. We'll also meet the team at Parklands and Burnbank in Buckie, awarded the highest possible rating by the Care Inspectorate for their commitment to enriching residents' lives. The dedication and passion shines through as activities coordinator Lisa Toogood recalls the dark, difficult days of the pandemic and how the care homes are bouncing back.
21 Oct 2023
Proud to Care
Dust down the disco ball, slap on the lippy and crank up the tunes – it’s time to party! Join us as we meet the team at Urray House in Muir of Ord as they host their first ever Parklands (https://www.parklandsgroup.com/) Pride event, one of five held across Moray and the Highlands this summer. Get ready for an emotional and entertaining party as local drag queens take to the stage, bringing a burst of glamour and charisma in a colourful, musical and poignant celebration of life and love.
14 Oct 2023
A Lifetime of Care
Delivering the highest standards of care requires a dedicated team of hard-working, compassionate professionals and Parklands (https://www.parklandsgroup.com/), this year celebrating its 30th anniversary, has them in rich abundance. One in five of its employees have been with the company for more than 15 years and some have even been there from day one. In this episode, we talk to some of Parklands’ long serving employees and find out what attracts them to work in care and why they’ve stayed loyal to Parklands for so long.
7 Oct 2023
The Parklands Journey
Parklands Care Homes (https://www.parklandsgroup.com/) is celebrating its 30th anniversary and in episode one of Carecast, series producer Pennie Latin Stuart meets its founder and managing director Ron Taylor. In a deeply personal and often emotional interview, he recalls his own experiences as a carer for his grandfather and how it led him to create a care organisation committed to the highest standards of person-centred care. We meet some of Parklands’ residents along the way and find out how Parklands has evolved over three decades, while still holding true to the values on which it was founded.
18 Sept 2023
Welcome to Parklands Carecast
Welcome to Parklands Carecast, a heartwarming and eye-opening podcast series celebrating the remarkable 30-year journey of Parklands Care Homes in the north of Scotland.
Carecast is a 10-part series which will take you on a fun-filled and often emotional journey into the world of care homes.
Join us as we meet Ron Taylor, the Managing Director who founded Parklands Care Homes, and his extraordinary team of passionate staff as they share their inspiring journey, their commitment to excellence in care, and their deep connection with the local community. From tea parties to pride events and community playschemes, Parklands is rooted in the communities it serves.
We’ll hear from care staff who have remained loyal to Parklands for decades, and some who have even travelled from around the world to make Parklands their new home. And we'll listen to the voices of the remarkable people they care for, whose lives are filled with laughter, love and appreciation.
To find out more about Parklands and its award winning approach to care, visit parklandsgroup.com (https://parklandsgroup.com)
Parklands Carecast is produced by Adventurous Audio Ltd (https://www.adventurousaudio.co.uk/)
Reach and audience
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Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 11 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
10
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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