Salisbury resident revisits furry friends

 

An 86 year old care home resident was taken on a surprise trip to visit some very special four-legged friends.

The team at Care UK’s Salisbury Manor, on Shapland Close, organised for resident Kathleen Allen, to take a trip to the New Forest to get up close and personal with ponies and donkeys and relive her childhood memories. 

Kathleen had told team members all about her happy childhood memories of watching the donkeys and ponies in the forest with her father, and after hearing how much Kathleen loved her visits, the team arranged for her to visit again. 

During their time away, Kathleen petted the animals as they roamed free before ending the day at Care UK’s Sway Place for a three-course meal and glass of wine, followed by a walk in the sunshine surrounded by the donkeys. 

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 chips supper, no wish is too big or small.

Commenting on the trip, Kathleen said: “It was such a lovely day, just like the day trips with my family all those years ago. I’d like to say a big thank you to the team at Salisbury Manor for doing this for me and bringing back so many happy memories.”

Skye Williams, General Manager at Salisbury Manor, added: “Kathleen loves to tell us all about her days visiting the New Forest and watching the donkeys and ponies with her family – so we knew we had to take her back. 

“Our Wishing Tree initiative is a wonderful way for residents to relive old memories and experience things that are meaningful to them. It’s hugely rewarding for everyone at the home when we can make these wishes a reality. 

“Being able to revisit the New Forest with Kathleen was a wonderful moment that she hasn’t stopped talking about since! 

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Salisbury Manor incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The home provides full-time residential care, nursing care, dementia care and respite care. The layout of the building is configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities.