Wish Granted for Client!

Former Mental Health Nurse, Kathleen Woodbridge, from Nantwich who likes to be known as Kath, was delighted to be treated to a day of activities 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, before embarking on a boat tour of the Liverpool Albert Dock, paying homage to her memories of cruises with her beloved late husband, Les.

Kath was nominated for the campaign by her CareGiver, Malaynie, from Shavington, Crewe as she was inspired by Kath’s determination to maintain her independence and her positive outlook on life, 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 with CareGivers, after working with them over the last year to rebuild her confidence to leave the house to explore again.

Kath lost her husband, Les, just a couple of months before they were able to celebrate their 50^th wedding anniversary, and most of her fondest memories involve him. “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 day was pieced together to provide Kath with an opportunity to relive some of her favourite memories. 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.”

The Beatles Story donated free tickets for Kath and Malaynie, including audio tour guides, and greeted them at the door 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 tour.

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, scones 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 and was excited to share the day with one of her closest Clients. “Kath has done amazing since she’s come home, and 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’ for the traditional anniversary gift – to celebrate a decade of making a difference to their Clients’ lives by awarding 10 wishes to 10 lucky Clients in 2022.

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.