Ahoy there! Cringleford care home residents’ wish to go on boat trip comes true

Residents at a care home in Cringleford made waves on a boat trip around the Norfolk Broads.

Two residents at Care UK's Cavell Court, on Dragonfly Lane, shared their passion for boats and sailing and asked the home team to help make their wish come true.

Keen to relive happy sailing memories from their younger years, John Clark, aged 89, and Marion Pearson, aged 89, were excited to show off their sailing skills and knowledge of boats. The pair were also joined by resident and friend Brenda Burman, aged 87, as they took to the water.

Having joined the Navy in 1952, John served for seven years and progressed through the ranks to Leading Seaman and Petty Officer. One of John’s happiest memories of his time in the Navy was sailing on HMS Harpy from Portsmouth one summer, which sparked his wish to be back on the water again.

Marion worked as a clerk at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, and began sailing with friends outside of work which fuelled her love of being on the water. Marion loved the sea so much that she went on to join a sailing club, which she was part of for five years. After starting a family there was less time for sailing but Marion was keen to get back out on a boat and shared her wish with the home team.

On the day, the residents and the team travelled to the Norfolk Broads where John and Marion got the chance to fulfil their wish to take to the waters once again. With a love for all things nautical, the pair enjoyed setting sail across the rivers and lakes in the national park.

The visit was part of the home’s ‘Wishing Tree’ Initiative, which encourages residents to put wishes forward, allowing them to reconnect with a past hobby or try something completely new – from flying a plane to enjoying a night at the opera, no wish is too big or small.

Marion said: “Sailing is a passion of mine and I absolutely loved my day out at The Broads.”

John added: “I had an absolutely marvellous day and couldn’t stop smiling”.

Karen Curle, Home Manager at Cavell Court, said: “Our day trip to the Norfolk Broads was definitely one for the books and the pair were delighted to be making waves once more – there’s no doubt we’ll still be talking about it for weeks to come.

“Here at Cavell Court, we always encourage residents to continue to enjoy their favourite pastimes and share memories which hold special importance to them, as it’s a great way to encourage reminiscence. John and Marion talk fondly of their memories sailing in their younger years and so we knew we had to make their wish come true.

“We’re so pleased we were able to organise this nostalgic trip for John and Marion – the residents were over the moon to have seized this opportunity!”

Cavell Court is a modern 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 hairdressers, and there is plenty of space both indoors and out for relaxation and recreation.