A good call – 88-year-old Horndean care home resident revisits fond memories

A Horndean care home resident was thrilled when she was surprised with a switchboard just like the one, she had worked on 72 years ago.

When the team at Care UK’s Pear Tree Court, on Portsmouth Road, learned that 88-year-old resident, June Taylor, was a former telephonist and was keen to relive her fond memories, they were determined to make her wish come true. 

June Taylor was born in Eastham, in London, on 25^th May 1935. When June left school at 16 years old, she got herself a job at a small company telephone exchange. This was when June first worked on switchboards. 

Her first manager, Mrs Craddock, always wanted a piece of fruit cake and a piece of cheese, as well as a cup of tea. June remembered that she had to make sure she had this every day at a certain time.

June then went to work on Regent Street, in London, at the Texaco oil company. Being fairly petite, June found it amusing that if the switchboard was very high, she would have to stand on her chair to reach the top. 

June married in 1955 to husband Gordon and they had two boys and two girls. While her children were little, in the evenings June worked in the General Post Office as a telephonist. She would work until 11pm and had to get the last bus home, while her husband looked after the children. She retired in 1986 after working as a telephonist for 36 years.

After the team learned of June’s rich history being a telephonist, they knew they wanted to do something to surprise her.

The team organised for a replica switchboard to made in the home and June was reunited with the equipment she used every day. 

June said: “There was nothing hard about my job, but the really good thing was that I enjoyed it. I have such fond memories and love the friendships I made over the years, so it was great to see a switchboard once again.” 

June was asked what advice she would give young professionals today, she said: “Keep enjoying what you are doing and be happy.” 

Pooja Dhoot, Home Manager at Pear Tree Court, said: “June often talks about when she used to work as a telephonist and how much she loved her job, and so we were thrilled to help reunite her with equipment she once used. 

“Here at Pear Tree Court, we are always looking at ways we can encourage residents to live active and fulfilling lives and so we are delighted we could help June reminisce and share her experience with us. It was wonderful to see her face light up the minute she saw the switchboard and to hear so many stories from her younger years working as a telephonist.   

“I’d like to thank the team for helping to organise the switchboard surprise and to June for sharing her fascinating memories.”

Pear Tree Court is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care.  Designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own cinema and hair salon, and there is plenty of space both indoors and out for relaxation and recreation. 

To find out more about Pear Tree Court, please call Customer Relations Manager, John Mataruse, on 02392 986773 or email john.mataruse@careuk.com

For more general information, please visit careuk.com/pear-tree-court