When someone moves into a care home, it can sometimes feel as though they may never leave the building or enjoy a change of scene again. Yet some of our Butterfly Homes are showing that, with generosity, creativity and a genuine ‘can do’ attitude from passionate team members, almost anything is possible.
Lucy O’Connor, Home Maker at West View Butterfly Care Home in Devon, UK, shares the story of a very special weekend away.
Here at West View Care Home, we are always looking for meaningful ways to create special memories for our residents — and this spring, we were lucky enough to do just that.
At our Christmas Coffee Morning, held in support of Young Lives vs Cancer and Dementia UK, our House Lead, Mel, very generously donated a wonderful prize: a two-night stay in her static caravan in Looe. We were all delighted when our lovely resident, Monica, who celebrated her 100th birthday in January, won the prize.
After some discussion, we decided it would make the trip even more special if Monica could share the experience with her friend and fellow resident, Sylvia. We waited until the warmer spring weather arrived so they could truly make the most of their seaside getaway.
On 8 May, it was finally time to set off for a relaxing weekend in Looe — and what a wonderful time we had. We arrived in glorious sunshine and settled into the caravan with a glass of prosecco and a traditional cream tea. The ladies were thrilled to be away and couldn’t stop commenting on how lovely and ‘posh’ the caravan was! That evening, it was a joy to hear them chatting and giggling together before they went to sleep.
On Saturday, we explored the beautiful town of Looe, strolling along the seafront, breathing in the fresh coastal air and enjoying the sunshine. No trip to the seaside would have been complete without fish and chips, which went down very well. Monica particularly loved stopping to make a fuss of every dog she met along the way.
Later that evening, we joined in with a game of bingo. The organisers gave Monica a special birthday shout-out in recognition of her recent 100th birthday, making the evening even more memorable and bringing smiles to everyone’s faces.
On Sunday morning, we all pitched in to pack up and tidy the caravan before beginning our journey home. On the way back, we stopped at a local pub to enjoy a delicious roast dinner together.
The whole weekend was filled with laughter, relaxation and unforgettable moments. Monica and Sylvia thanked us repeatedly throughout the trip, telling us how much they were enjoying themselves. Seeing them both so happy, relaxed and full of smiles made every moment worthwhile.
It was a privilege to give Monica and Sylvia this special experience and to create memories that we will all cherish.
The weekend ended perfectly when Monica smiled and said,
“I think I’ll win another prize!”
Lucy O’Connor
Home Maker, West View Butterfly Care Home