Bristol care home resident’s wish to return to the dance floor comes true

A resident at a care home in Bristol was delighted when her wish to dance again was made a reality.

When the team at Care UK’s Trymview Hall on Southmead Road learned that 92-year-old Strictly fan, Jean Gazzard was a keen dancer in her younger days and wanted to don her dancing shoes again, they were determined to make it happen.

Jean’s love for dancing started when she met her husband Cliff – the couple would go to The Winter Gardens, in Weston-super-Mare, every week to dance together. Jean danced for many years and loved ballroom dancing, especially the foxtrot, tango and waltz.

To help fulfil Jean’s wish, the team organised a private lesson for her at Dance Factory Bristol, where she proved that she still has the moves with a range of her favourite ballroom dances.

Commenting on the experience, Jean said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and loved showing off my moves! It brought back such fond memories of dancing with my husband.”

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 fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small.

Nicole Anderson, Home Manager at Trymview Hall, said: “Everyone here at Trymview Hall knows Jean loves to dance – whenever there’s music on she loves boogie round the home with a huge smile on her face. So when the team learned she was keen to waltz on the dance floor again, they were determined to make her wish come true.

“Our Wishing Tree initiative is a great way for residents to share their dreams and passions, and it’s incredibly rewarding to be able to make these a reality. Jean had a wonderful time and wowed us all with her fantastic dancing skills!

“I’d like to extend a big thank you to the team here at the home, as well as to Michele at Dance Factory Bristol, for making Jean’s wish come true – she’ll be teaching us all next!”

Trymview Hall is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, dementia and short-term respite care. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own cinema, hair salon and café.