NEWLY WED COUPLE DONATE 50 % OF THEIR WEDDING GIFT MONEY TO HELP CHILDREN WITH CLEFTS
ACTIVITIES, FRESH AIR AND EXERCISE EVERY DAY IN WIRRAL CARE HOME
IN BRIEF
NEWLY WED COUPLE DONATE 50 % OF THEIR WEDDING GIFT MONEY TO HELP CHILDREN WITH CLEFTS
ACTIVITIES, FRESH AIR AND EXERCISE EVERY DAY IN WIRRAL CARE HOME
Norma, who is 92, looks forward to her thrice weekly exercise sessions, along with more than 60 other people living at Charlotte House Care Home in Bebington.
John Grieves, a 54 year old chemical engineer, and Kim Grieves, a 56 year old nurse, tied the knot at the Registry Office in Birkenhead – but their wedding was no ordinary bash.
Instead of a traditional black and white wedding, the couple, who live in New Brighton, decided to ask all of their guests to arrive in fancy dress. They also donated half of their cash wedding gifts to Smile Train – the global children’ s charity which provides free surgery and care for children suffering with cleft lip and palate in developing countries.
John said:“ When we decided to get married, we wanted to make it a great bash- so we opted for a fancy dress wedding. As we are both social‘ Jivers’, we decided to make the theme,‘ Dance scenes through the ages’, and went as Fred and Ginger.
Everybody really got into the spirit – all turning up in fancy dress. We had people from all around the world who came – Australia, Dubai, Italy, Sweden as well as all parts of the UK. It truly was the wedding of a lifetime!
Many of our 200 + guests already knew of Smile Train, and some were already donors, so it made sense to donate to the charity. Kim has been a District Nurse for almost 40 years, so has seen many examples of how charities like Smile Train can make a remarkable difference to someone’ s life.”
Following their big day, the couple donated £ 1,200 to Smile Train – which is enough money to change the lives of eight children by covering the cost of their cleft repair surgery, and giving them the power of a smile!
They are taking part in a programme of recreational activities and exercise classes designed to improve their wellbeing, but first and foremost to be an enjoyable sociable event.
Ruth Roberts, activities organiser at Charlotte House said:“ Chair exercise to music is popular with the residents. Norma recently suffered a stroke but as part of her recovery, takes part in regular chair-based exercises every week. Exercising has really helped Norma as she is now able to move her hands, feed herself and is beginning to speak again.”
Charlotte House is operated by Brighter Kind, which in each of its 70 homes runs a varied programme of activities and exercise sessions. Ruth said:“ The activities bring about measurable improvements to residents’ physical health and mobility and provide mental stimulation and social interaction. The exercise classes are specifically designed to be inclusive for residents of all levels of ability, using sensory props, familiar music and reminiscence-themed choreography.”
In an inspection report by the Care Quality Commission, the inspectors remarked that the activities coordinators were enthusiastic about their role and told us they provided as much person centred, one to one care as they could when people were not able to access the group activities.
The inspectors talked with people about activities and were told by them that there were a lot of group activities taking place. Comments included“ There is a lot to do if I want to join in” and another comment was,“ I love to go out”. People were able to have visitors when they wanted and told us,“ We get a lot of visitors here; they love coming”.
For more information, about Charlotte House Care Home or to arrange a visit, please call the Home Manager on 0151 515 6889.
12 wirrallife. com