Ashford care home residents don caps and gowns to graduate

Three care home residents in Ashford have proven you’re never too old to stop learning, after graduating from their photography course.

Phil, 84, Glynn, 77, and Brian, 88, residents at Care UK’s Montfort Manor, on Kennington Road, have always had a passion for photography. Keen to perfect their skills, the trio enrolled on the ‘Picture-this’ course with the help of the team at Montfort Manor.

The course is run by Bright Shadow, a local charity whose mission is to enable people living with dementia, and those affected by it, to thrive by continuing to enjoy their hobbies. 

Throughout the six-week course, the trio learned different photography styles and skills from a team of experts, including how to capture the perfect light and how best to maintain a steady hand if capturing shots outside, to using a picture to tell a story.

Although Phil was unable to attend his on-site graduation, the team at Montfort Manor quickly got to work to plan a surprise graduation ceremony, alongside his fellow graduates. With a celebratory lunch with a cake prepared by the home’s Head Chef, Anna Sudac, for everyone to enjoy, the trio were surprised to see their photography work displayed in individual photo books around the home. 

Commenting on the course, Phil said: “This course was a great way of learning a new skill and I really enjoyed going to the classes to meet new people and improve my photography.”

Joanne Eaton, Home Manager at Montfort Manor, said: “We are incredibly proud of Phil, Glynn and Brian and their photography achievements and the work created throughout the six-week course. Seeing the trio in their cap and gown, alongside their family and friends, was a real picture-perfect moment. 

“Here at Montfort Manor, we love to create unforgettable moments for residents, that build on their life-long hobbies and past careers. We would like to thank Bright Shadow for welcoming Phill, Glynn and Brian onto their photography course – they haven’t stopped snapping photos in the home since.”

Montfort Manor is a purpose-built care home which has been designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care for older people in Ashford, as well as short-term respite care, and incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities, including its own cinema, hairdressing salon and café.