Our care home grants Rosina her wish to drive a digger

The two workmen, Tom and Danny from TW Contractors, were working on the driveway of the house next door to Heathfield Court.

Wanting to make Rosina’s wish come true, our team asked the workers if they would oblige Rosina’s wish, and they were only too happy to help!

Rosina, who made Heathfield Court her home in November last year, said: “I happened to mention to one of the carers that I’d always wanted to know what it was like to drive a digger, and within no time at all I had my coat on and was sitting in the cab of the digger.

“When you get to the grand age of 97 you don’t expect new experiences, so it was just marvellous! The workmen were very kind and patient with me. It was very thrilling, I couldn’t quite believe it had happened once I was back in my chair.”

Carer Margaret and health and safety officer Glenn assisted Rosina into the digger, and the workmen drove it a short distance and showed Rosina how to use the claw.

Lifestyle lead Hannah Tribe said: “Rosina is quite the character, so we weren’t too shocked by her wish!

“She has made lots of friends at the home and loves to take part in our activities, and she’s an avid knitter. Rosina was an active member of her local church and the Women’s Institute (WI), so she always has lots of visitors.

Our care home’s lifestyle team are no strangers to granting our residents’ wishes.

Hannah continued: “We have a ‘Wish Tree’ where we support our residents to experience something they never had the opportunity to do, or to rekindle something they love from their youth.

“These sorts of experiences are exactly what the wish tree is for, helping residents to do something they have always wanted to try but never thought they would.

“Other residents’ wishes have included getting back in the boxing ring, a VIP tour of Millwall FC, and organising for two retired police officers to visit a vintage police car event.”

Home manager Nicola Martin added: “We aim to help our residents to create wonderful new memories when they make their home at Heathfield Court.

“We were so grateful for the workmen for helping us to grant Rosina’s wish to swiftly, we made them bacon sandwiches and mugs of tea to say thank you.”

Heathfield Court is located on Colyers Lane in Erith and rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Heathfield Court is a 66-bed care home providing residential, nursing and specialist dementia care. The dedicated activities team offer a varied programme tailored to the residents’ hobbies, interests and abilities.