Stroud care home resident’s wish to relive her teaching days made a reality

A resident at a care home in Stroud was delighted to don her teaching hat once again after more than 30 years away from the blackboard.

When the team at Care UK’s Scarlet House, on Westward Road, learned that 94-year-old retired-teacher Marian Holding was keen to relive her career, they were determined to make it happen.

Marian qualified as a teacher in the 1950s and started her career at Vaughan Primary School, in West Harrow, where she worked for many years. Throughout her career, she worked in a number of schools in the area, eventually becoming a deputy headteacher, but her main passion remained in teaching children to read.

The team at Scarlet House arranged for Marian to visit St Matthew’s School where she was able to meet some of the children and teachers, and enjoyed an afternoon with some of the current year six pupils.

The visit prompted Marian to share fond memories, with Marian saying: “I loved my job – I never wanted to do anything else as a career!”

Suzannah Tullett, Home Manager at Scarlet House, added: “Marian loved her time working as a teacher, so the team decided to surprise her with a trip back to school.

“Marian had a wonderful time meeting some of the current students and teachers, and loved spending time reading with the pupils.

“I’d like to extend a big thank you to the team and students at St Matthew’s School for welcoming Marian, and to the team here at Scarlet House for organising such a meaningful day for everyone involved!”

Scarlet House is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing, 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.