“A Baileys every night before bed” – 101-year-old Solihull care home resident shares the secret to a long life

A 101-year-old Solihull care home resident has revealed the secret to living a long and happy life.

A very special birthday celebration took place at Care UK’s Blossomfield Grange, on Worcester Way, when resident Joyce Wainwright, turned 101 years ‘young’. 

Reflecting on her many happy years, she revealed the secret to a long life is ‘drinking a glass of Baileys every night before bed’.

To celebrate, the care home team decorated the lounge with balloons and banners, and the home’s talented head chef baked a special birthday cake for everyone to enjoy at a surprise afternoon tea party in the home’s lounge with her family and friends. 

Joyce was born on 7 August 1921 in Horsforth. After finishing school, Joyce worked as a British Red Cross nurse, before later joining the Royal Army Pay Corp, where she administered important financial matters for the British Army. 

Known for great sense of humour and a passion for helping others, Joyce has raised thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK through coffee mornings and fundraising initiatives and remains active in a local lady’s luncheon club in Solihull. 

Joyce has two sons, Ian and Geoff, five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren – who regularly visit Joyce at Blossomfield Grange.

Anne Gaffney, General Manager at Blossomfield Grange, said: “Here at Blossomfield Grange, we always like to throw a party for special milestones – and Joyce’s 101^st birthday certainly called for a celebration!

“Joyce is a much-loved resident by everyone at Blossomfield Grange. It was fantastic to help her celebrate this incredible milestone with her family and friends with a surprise afternoon tea party, and to raise a glass to her fantastic milestone – cheers to Joyce!”    

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Blossomfield Grange, which remains open to potential residents, incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The building has been configured into a series of neighbourhoods to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.

To find out more about Blossomfield Grange, contact Director of Community Relations at Blossomfield Grange, Jo Hopkins, on 0121 392 7833 or email Jo.Hopkins@careuk.com.

For more general information, please visit careuk.com/blossomfield-grange.