Making waves – 80-year-old resident revisits local lido

An 80-year-old care home resident from Cheltenham recently made a splash and went swimming at his local lido to relive his best strokes.

Geoff Clarke, a resident at Care UK’s Sandfields, on St George’s Road, was elated when the team went to great lengths to organise for him to revisit Cheltenham Lido.

The team at Sandfields asked if Geoff would like to add something to the home’s ‘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. 

Geoff knew immediately that his wish was to return to the lido he’d enjoyed spending time at in his younger years, which he’d visited since he was a young boy. 

Eager to fulfil Geoff’s wish, the team, along with his family, set out to take him back to his local pool, so he could spend the afternoon reliving his swimming days. On the day, Geoff also met up with lots of old friends from the swimming community, reminiscing about his passion for swimming and happy days spent at the lido.

A family tradition in the Clarke household over the years, Geoff would always get an annual membership for the lido for his birthday, and was sure to make good use of it. An avid swimmer, Geoff’s vast swimming experience has seen him swim at some wonderful locations around the world, including Bondi Beach in Australia.

Geoff said: “I thoroughly enjoyed getting back in the water and it was lovely to meet up with some of the friends I used to know there – it brought back some lovely memories.”

Malaika Charles, Home Manager at Sandfields, said, “When Geoff expressed his desire to get back in the water, we were keen to make it happen – he often talks fondly of his memories swimming at Cheltenham Lido over the years. We understand how important it is to support residents to pursue activities they are passionate about, and this was a great way to help Geoff relieve happy days doing a hobby he loves.

“It was fantastic to see him in his element, laughing and joking with his friends after his swim, and his wide smile said it all. We are hoping this is something we can support Geoff to do on a regular basis!”

Sandfields is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, dementia, nursing and short-term respite care. The home, which features 90 en-suite bedrooms, has been designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, whilst also promoting independence. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own cinema, bar, hairdressing salon and café.

For more information about Sandfields, contact Customer Relations Manager, Virginia Peachey, on virginia.peachey@careuk.com or call 01242 258 800.