Teviot Valley Rest Home will open its doors on Sunday in the hope it can drum up enough interest to fill its five vacant beds. 

Staff at the 14 bed rest home do not want the beds to go empty, knowing how much of a need there is in the wider community for aged care.

Robyn Niederer said an open home to showcase what it had to offer seemed like a good option and hoped people would make the most of the opportunity to have a look around.

“We want to let the community know that there are beds available and to come and have a look because people don’t know [what it’s like] until they’ve brought someone in.”

She said the rest home did not have hospital level care or a secure dementia unit.

However, people with early onset dementia who did not require a secure unit could still be cared for in the home.

Six local women have offered to dress the rooms up to showcase their true potential for the open home, and staff and residents will be on hand during the day to talk to people about what the facility can offer, and to show them around, she said.

And, real fruit ice cream will also be available.

In addition to the open day, Teviot Valley Rest Home will also have some chairs to give to the public for free.

Robyn said the chairs are surplus to requirements so want to pass them on to a good home, possibly someone who might want some furniture in a spare room or man cave.

The open day will take place on Sunday, March 3 from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.