Solihull care home resident wish to go back to Crufts is granted

A resident at a care home in Solihull was delighted when her wish to see the Crufts show again came true.

When the team at Care UK’s Blossomfield Grange, on Worcester Way, learned that 86-year-old Ann Walker used to attend Crufts every year and was keen to see the competition again, they were determined to make her wish come true.

 

Ann is an avid dog lover and has had four family dogs throughout her life, named Max, Kalli, Hexe and Trixie, who were all rescue dogs. She took all her dogs to agility classes which led to her competing in agility competitions.

To help Ann fulfil her wish, the team organised a trip to the Crufts 2024 show, in Birmingham. She was able to watch several displays in the activities ring as well as browse the stalls and meet many families and their dogs.

The visit was part of the home’s Wishing Tree initiative, which encourages residents to put their wishes forward, allowing them to reconnect with a past hobby or try something new – from flying a plane to ice skating, no wish is too big or small. 

Commenting on her trip, Ann said: “I loved going back to Crufts. I have many memories as I used to attend Crufts every year. My favourite part was seeing all the different dogs again, bringing back those special memories. It was a really special day.”

Cheryl Harbourne, General Manager at Blossomfield Grange, said: “Ann often talks about her love of dogs and her memories of taking her own poochies to agility classes when she was younger, so we were thrilled to reconnect her with her passion. The visit to Crufts offered a wonderful opportunity for Ann to reminisce, which is incredibly important for older people’s wellbeing, and to create new memories too. 

“This is why we created our wishing tree initiative, as it’s a great way for residents to share their dreams and interests – and it's so rewarding to be able to make these a reality. Ann had a wonderful time at Crufts – she hasn’t stopped smiling since and is already talking about going back next year!”   

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Blossomfield Grange incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The home has been configured into a series of neighbourhoods to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.