92-year-old local resident goes swimming for the first time in a decade

 

A 92-year-old care home resident from Essex recently made waves when he went swimming at his local pool to relive his best strokes.

Gordon Ritter, a resident at Care UK’s Silversprings, on Tennpenny Hill, was thrilled when the team went to great lengths to organise for him to visit local swimming pool, Lawford House Pool.

The team at Silversprings asked if Gordon would like to add something to the home’s ‘Wishing Tree’, an initiative launched by Care UK which allows residents to suggest ideas for new hobbies they’d like to try, places they’d like to visit and activities they’d like to do. 

Gordon knew straight away that his wish was to head back to the pool and relive his days as a swimming teacher. Eager to fulfil Gordon’s wish, the team, along with his family, set out to take him to the local pool, so he could spend the afternoon practising his strokes. 

Gordon first learnt to swim in the sea after growing up in South Wales and spending much of his youth in Cornwall, visiting many places along the coast. Keen to share his passion for swimming, Gordon taught his own children to swim and regularly taught primary school children after gaining a formal swimming teaching qualification. 

Gordon said: “I really enjoyed getting back in the water. It brought back some lovely memories of my swimming teacher days.”

Joanne Rix, Home Manager at Silversprings, said: “When Gordon expressed his desire to get back in the water, we were eager to make it happen – he often talks fondly of his memories teaching his own children to swim and learning to swim in the sea as a child. 

“We understand how important it is to support residents to pursue activities they are passionate about, and this was a great way to help Gordon relive happy days doing a hobby he’s so passionate about. 

“It was brilliant to see him in his element, enjoying his time in the pool and getting the chance to do what he loves once again. We are hoping this is something we can support Gordon to do on a regular basis!”

Silversprings is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, dementia, nursing and short-term respite care. The home has been designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, whilst also promoting independence. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities both indoors and out with a dedicated lounge and dining room to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities.