Sky’s the limit! Local care home resident completes lifetime wish to fly a plane

A 94-year-old care home resident in Banbury has completed a lifelong wish – and she’s now on a real high.

Frances Gilkes, a resident at Care UK’s Seccombe Court, took to the skies and had her very first flying lesson.

When Seccombe Court joined Care UK, 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 or even activities linked to past careers. This encourages residents to live fulfilling lives – from skiing to a fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small.

After Frances informed the home that she has always wanted to fly a plane, the team wasted no time getting the wish off the ground and soon the day came for the flight. Although Frances had been on planes before for holidays, this was her first time in a small propeller aircraft.  

They arrived at Enstone Airfield in Enstone, Oxfordshire, and after some training on the ground, Frances took to the skies for a lunchtime flight. 

 

Frances said: "I loved every second! It was brilliant to take control of the plane and be flying over my home, looking down on so many places I have visited. The views were spectacular as it was such a clear day.”

Wojciech Kuczkowski, General Manager at Seccombe Court, said: “Here at Seccombe Court, no wish is too big or too small and so when Frances said she wanted to fly a plane we knew we had to make her dream a reality. 

“Our Wishing Tree initiative is a wonderful way for residents to share their ambitions and it’s hugely rewarding to be able to make these a reality. We are thrilled to have helped Frances complete her lifelong wish and it was wonderful to see the smile on her face as she landed after her flight. 

 “I cannot wait to see what wish we organise next – the sky really is the limit!” 

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Seccombe Court incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The home provides full-time residential care, dementia care and respite care. 

To find out more about Seccombe Court, call Home Admissions Advisor, Steve Dumbrill, on 01295 298795, email steve.dumbrill@careuk.com or visit careuk.com/seccombe-court.