Client relives fond memories as network 'Come Together' to grant wish after CareGiver’s heartfelt nomination
Published: 09/03/2022
Former Mental Health Nurse Kathleen Woodbridge, who likes to be known as Kath, was delighted to be treated to a day out as the second lucky recipient of Right at Home’s Tin Full of Wishes campaign. To honour her love of The Beatles, she enjoyed a VIP visit to The Beatles Story, Liverpool, before embarking on a boat tour of the Liverpool Albert Dock, paying homage to her memory of cruises with her beloved late husband.
Kath was nominated for the campaign by her CareGiver, Malaynie, who was inspired by Kath’s strong and positive outlook, after losing the love of her life and spending an extended period of time in hospital. The personal goals Kath shared with Right at Home South Cheshire included visiting new cities and reliving some of her fondest memories, after working with carers over the last year to rebuild her independence again.
Kath sadly lost her husband, Les, just a couple of months before they were able to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
“We loved going away together, seeing the world. We were on big fancy cruise ships; I’d go anywhere with Les. I lost him just under seven years ago, but it still feels like yesterday – it never gets any easier. He’d have loved coming here today with me but I think he’s watching over us.”
The Beatles Story donated free tickets for the pair, including audio tour guides, greeted them at the door and looked after them throughout their visit, to ensure they felt like true VIPs for the day. After a couple of hours of singing and admiring costumes and memorabilia, they were hungry and ready for their next treat! Kath repeatedly told Malaynie throughout the visit how much Les would have enjoyed the day.
|"Kath told Malaynie: “I loved dancing when I was younger – rock and roll dancing especially. I remember watching The Beatles in Stoke, we danced all night – some of the best nights of my life.” "
Just around the corner on the world famous Albert Dock, the pair embarked on The Floating Grace - a barge that showcases some of the best views of the city, during a two-hour guided boat tour, reminding Kath of summers spent on cruise ships with Les. During the ride, they enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea including sandwiches, cakes and coffees.
Afterwards, Kath told us: “I’ve had a wonderful day – I’ve enjoyed every part of it. The museum and the barge – seeing all of Liverpool it’s been really fantastic to be out enjoying myself again. There’s not a day, not a minute, that goes by that I don’t think of Les, and I can feel he’s here with us today”.
Malaynie felt Kath deserved to achieve her goals and the Tin Full of Wishes campaign was a great way to help her to do it. Malaynie, who is 20 years old, has a visibly great relationship with Kath, whose care team has come to be like extended family to her, so it was great that she could spend the day with Malaynie.
“Kath has done amazing since she’s come home,” Malaynie said, “it’s seeing things like how much she’s improved that I do this. Of course, I love my job – you have to really want to do it and want to make a difference to be good at it. It isn’t always easy, but the Clients make it worth it – they become your friends and your family, because you get to know everything about each other.”
Right at Home South Cheshire owner Ben Selby, said: “I’m so proud of the lengths that our CareGivers have gone to, to help Kath, and also of Kath for the incredible progress she has made in such a short time. This is just one example of some of the amazing stories we get to witness each day and I feel lucky to be able to be a part of a network that is truly making dreams come true.”
Kath’s wish is the second to be granted as part of Right at Home’s 10-Year Anniversary campaign, nicknamed a ‘tin-full of wishes’, to celebrate a decade of making a difference to their Clients’ lives, by awarding 10 wishes to 10 lucky Clients in 2022.
Read more about the Tin of Wishes campaign and other wishes that have been granted by Right at Home UK here.
The Right at Home team hope that by seeing examples of how rewarding and fulfilling work as a carer can be, they can encourage more people to embark on a new career in care.
If you are feeling inspired by Kath and Malaynie’s story, you can learn more about roles with Right at Home in the brand new Careers in Care brochure, which has been released alongside a Careers in Care quiz, to help showcase the truth behind a rewarding career in the sector.
