85-year-old Frome care home resident’s wish to ride again comes true

 

 A resident at a care home in Frome was delighted when her wish to rekindle her love for horse riding was made a reality. 

When the team at Care UK’s Rossetti House, on Welshmill Lane, learned that 85-year-old Nora Wilkins was an avid horse rider in her youth and was keen to get back in the saddle, they were determined to make her dream come true. 

Nora began riding at the age of four and after developing a passion for horses, she spent over 60 years riding in fields around her home and even in races, with one memorable horse called Teddy. Nora entered the Corsley Show with Teddy, and they won a number of trophies for show jumping and his general presentation.

To help Nora fulfil her wish, the team organised a visit to White Horse Equestrian Centre in Westbury, where she was able to ride at the indoor school. 

Speaking about the experience, Nora said: “I was a little nervous and shy to begin with. Horses know whether they like you or not and they didn’t know me yet. When I got on the horse though, it was so wonderful, I thought I was in heaven, even if I had a sore bottom the next day! When I am with horses they just seem to know me, they come up and use their soft mouths to speak in my ear, I have lost many earrings that way!

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.

Phil Vale, General Manager at Rossetti House, said: “Nora loves to talk about the years she spent riding when she was younger, so when she shared that she would love to get back in the saddle, the team knew they had to make it happen. 

“Our wishing tree initiative is a great way for residents to share their dreams and interests, and it’s so rewarding to be able to make these a reality. Nora had a wonderful time, and she hasn’t stopped smiling since and is already talking about going back.

“I’d like to extend a big thank you to the team here at Rossetti House and White Horse Equestrian Centre for a fantastic day and for making Nora’s wish come true!”

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Rossetti House incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The building has been designed to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.