Care home resident gets ‘purrfect’ tattoo in honour of her cats

A care home resident from Basingstoke decided to honour her cats in an unexpected way.

Helen Griffiths, aged 76, and a resident at Care UK’s Dashwood Manor, on Bradly Way, has paid tribute to her cats by having a tabby cat permanently inked onto her body.

When Dashwood Manor first opened in September 2021, the team installed a ‘Wishing Tree’, an initiative launched by Care UK which allows residents to suggest ideas for new hobbies they’d like to try, places they’d like to visit and activities they’d like to do. This encourages residents to live fulfilling lives – from skiing to a fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small.

After some thought, Helen added her wish to the tree - to have a cat tattoo, and the team wasted no time in organising the wish for her.

Helen said: “I got my first tattoo in my early 30s, a butterfly. My partner said I wouldn’t so of course I did. When the wishing tree was installed, I had to think of what I would like to do. I had always wanted a cat tattoo, so I put that forward.

“I always loved my neighbours' tabby cats. This then made me get my own - Millie and Sadie. My cats also used to wander off so I thought at least this one will be with me forever. 

“I absolutely love the tattoo and I would like to thank the tattooist for being so patient and the team for organising it for me.” 

The tattoo of a tabby cat was placed on Helen’s right arm and designed and tattooed by Basingstoke tattooist Sarah from Victory Doll.

Dil Perera, Home Manager at Dashwood Manor, said: “When Helen put a wish for a tattoo of her cat on the wishing tree, it was a surprise and something we didn’t expect but we couldn’t wait to start organising it for her. 

“Here at Dashwood Manor, we like to help residents complete lifelong wishes. We encourage residents to dream big, and share their hopes and ambitions. From a ‘paw-some’ tattoo to a brave skydive, we enjoy seeing dreams become a reality. 

“I would like to thank tattooist Sarah and the team for helping to organise the wish.” 

Helen’s is not the only wish Dashwood Manor are fulfilling. Later this month, 89-year-old resident Dennis Moulton will be taking on the ultimate challenge of jumping out of a plane at 15,000 feet to raise money for Marie Curie. To donate to Dennis’s Just Giving page, please visit: www.justgiving.com/DashwoodManor.

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, the new care home, which opened in September 2021, incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. Luxury facilities includes a café, hair and beauty salon, cinema and bar, and stunning gardens.

To find out more about Dashwood Manor, please call Customer Relations Manager, Leahanne Wilkinson, on 01256 805988, or email Leahanne.Wilkinson@careuk.com.

For more information about Dashwood Manor, visit: careuk.com/Dashwood-Manor.