Berelands Ball: A Unique Celebration
At Renaissance Care’s Berelands Home in Prestwick, there’s a frisson of excitement in the air.
Staff and volunteers are busy with the finishing touches for their annual Gala Ball and residents have been updating their wardrobes for the big day.
Ann Coutts proudly shows off a new dress that she snapped up in a local charity shop – and says she is avoiding sweet treats to make sure she looks her best.
“I am attending the Ball with my son and daughter,” says the 77-year-old. “This is lovely for us to do as a family. But I’m trying not to eat chocolates, or I won’t fit into my dress!”
The Ball is a highlight of the calendar and Berelands is thought to be one of the few care homes – if not the only one – in Scotland that organise such an extravaganza.
This year’s event will be held on May 15 at The Carlton Hotel in Prestwick and will be attended by more than 150 guests including residents, family and friends, staff members, community supporters and representatives from South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership.
Carers and families help dress all our residents and there are many happy emotions when they are “glammed up” for the occasion
Teresa, Home Manager
Residents from Renaissance Care’s Malin Home in Turnberry and The Priory Group’s Newhouse and Kirklea homes in Kilmarnock will also join the celebration. Last year, residents from Kirklea, which provides residential support for older people with autism and learning disability, arrived in style in limousines.
“This is our biggest event of the year and there’s a lot of preparation, it’s a bit like planning a wedding - so we have to be organised!” said Teresa Mangonon, the manager at Berelands.
Residents have enjoyed day trips to Prestwick to buy new outfits in charity shops including Sue Ryder, Shelter and British Red Cross.
Berelands also held a pop-up shop in March, with clothing provided by Ayrshire Hospice in Ayr and Cancer Research in Irvine.
On the morning of the event, staff from Boots pharmacy in Ayr will drop-in to the care home with make-up and toiletries and a volunteer hairdresser will be on hand to help residents with their makeovers.
“Carers and families help dress all our residents and there are many happy emotions when they are “glammed up” for the occasion,” said Teresa. “Many of our residents have dementia and they really enjoy getting dressed up. To see them transform and get involved is such a joy.”
On the day of the Ball, residents at Berelands will travel to the venue courtesy of South Ayrshire Community Transport.
The event kicks off at 1pm with welcome speeches and a video presentation showcasing the activities that residents at Berelands have enjoyed in the past year. Guests are treated to a three-course meal and will be entertained by Memphis Rhythm and Blues Band, with a special performance by pupils from St Ninian’s Primary School in Prestwick.
Teresa revealed that some residents will perform a choreographed dance on the day.
“They have been practising hard!” she said. “But everybody gets involved and after the meal, the live band takes centre stage and everyone will be up dancing and having a great time.”
David West, 65, who has been a resident at Berelands since January, said: “I am very excited to attend the Ball. It is my first to attend something like this in my life, so I am really looking forward to it.”
Philip Craig, chairman of the Berelands Residents Committee said: “We are all looking forward to the ball. This is our opportunity to dress up and look smart and enjoy the day with other residents and our families”.
Berelands House, in the town's Boydfield Court, has 63 rooms, including 35 for those with dementia. In April 2025, it was highly praised for the second time by inspectors for supporting people and their families.
It was sold by The Priory Group in December and became the 19th home in the portfolio of Renaissance Care, which was founded by Scottish entrepreneur Dr Robert Kilgour. The chain operates care homes across the country, including in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and the Highlands.
