'Yassou' from Oak Towers!

A conversation in a familiar language. The sound of laughter shared over a meal. The comfort of being surrounded by people who understand your culture, your traditions, and your story. 

Oak Towers is proud to have a strong Greek community, with both residents and staff bringing this connection to life every day. With 45 residents of Greek background, this connection is felt everyday from familiar words spoken in the corridors such as Kalimera (good morning) and Yassou (hello or goodbye) to the strong sense of cultural pride throughout the home. It’s something you can feel the moment you walk through the doors - a genuine sense of belonging that supports residents to live well their way.

Georgia Mamouzis, a Personal Care Worker at Oak Towers who is of Greek heritage, shares “As a personal carer at Oak Towers, I feel proud to be part of a community that embraces different cultures, especially our Greek culture.”

“I volunteer every Thursday to help run our Greek Cultural Group. It’s a special time where our Greek residents come together to enjoy Greek coffee, share stories, celebrate special occasions, listen to Greek music, and even dance the Zorba. It brings a real sense of connection, comfort and belonging for them.”

Georgia focuses on helping residents live well their way by supporting their independence and choice in everyday life.

“When it comes to providing care, I always try to balance safety with choice. Every resident is different, so I listen to what they want, respect their preferences, and support them to make their own decisions where it’s safe to do so. It’s about giving them dignity, independence, and a voice in their daily life.”

Meal times are often a highlight. The flavours, the aromas, the shared enjoyment of traditional Greek dishes bring back memories and create new ones. It’s not just about food it’s about connection, familiarity, and feeling at home.

Greek dishes have also been added into the menu by the chef, and this now includes favourites such as spanakopita, pastitsio, moussaka and Greek salads. Cooking groups are always a highlight, with many yayas (grandmothers) sharing treasured recipes, often accompanied by lively discussions about the “correct” ingredients and methods to use.

“We try to bring culture and community together through activities like this, along with celebrating cultural events and encouraging residents to share their traditions, food, and music. It helps everyone feel included and valued,” Georgia shares.

At Oak Towers, culture is celebrated in the everyday moments, and for residents and their families, that makes all the difference, creating a strong sense of belonging while also supporting them to live well.