Sway care home resident’s camping wish comes true

A resident at a care home in Sway has had her long-held camping dream made a reality.

Anne Mayo, who lives at Care UK’s Sway Place on Church Lane, was transported back to the 1970s when she opened her eyes in the care home’s garden to be greeted with a replica of her own former caravan parked up. 

 

The 1971 Sprite 400 was kindly gifted for the day by the team at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu and was set out ready for an afternoon tea – much to Anne and her closest friends’ enjoyment. 

To complete the experience, residents enjoyed a delicious barbecue prepared by Head Chef Alan Bell as they gathered around looking at old pictures of camping holidays and caravan adventures while reminiscing about their own fond memories of holidays with loved ones.

Commenting on the surprise, Anne said: “I used to love the freedom of being outdoors, relaxing and sitting around the campfire. Having the vintage caravan here really brought those wonderful times flooding back; it felt great reliving all the joy and laughter we shared on those trips.”

For more than 60 years, Anne made it a beloved yearly tradition to escape the everyday and explore the country in her caravan. Her fondest memories are when her children, Susan, Neil, and Paula, began to join her on the journeys through the British countryside. 

The visit was part of Care UK’s Wishing Tree initiative, which encourages residents to put their ambitions forward, allowing them to reconnect with a past hobby or try something completely new.

Francis Owusu Bosompim, General Manager at Sway Place, said: “When Anne first shared with the team that she wanted to relive her past caravan holidays, we were eager to make it happen so quickly reached out to the Beaulieu motor museum, who were very keen to help. 

“Here at Sway Place, we understand how important it is to support residents in pursuing activities they are passionate about, and the Wishing Tree initiative was a great way to help Anne relive her happy days spent camping in her caravan. 

“We want to thank everyone involved in helping us to complete Anne’s wish – she was truly in her element!”

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Sway Place provides full-time residential and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. The home incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies, with the layout of the building configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to facilitate the creation of close-knit communities. There are also 14 independent-living cottages – a perfect choice for individuals or couples.