Ventress Hall powers up a surprise for 92-year-old railway fan

Home news

May 17, 2019

Ventress Hall has surprised a 92-year-old resident with a ticket to ride at the Head of Steam Railway Museum. 

The team at Ventress Hall runs a Wishing Tree initiative to help make residents’ wishes come true. They decided to surprise resident Norah Leonard with a special trip to the railway museum, to make her particular dream come true.

Norah was raised in Darlington, spent time working for the Post Office in Albert Hill, and still has family in the area. She has a very keen interest in trains and a close friend who was a locomotive driver, so it was a thoroughly sensory day spent at the museum. Norah and her fellow residents enjoyed the sounds and smells of the historic locomotives, whilst reminiscing about past experiences and journeys/ travels. 

Judy Wray, home manager at Ventress Hall, said: “Residents are at the heart of everything we do here at Ventress Hall, and we always like to go the extra mile to grant their wishes. I am really pleased that we were able to make Norah’s wish of enjoying a day around trains a reality. The museum has a lovely café which is recognised as Dementia-friendly which added to the overall enjoyment of the visit helping to make the day as welcoming and relaxed as possible.”