Kingfisher Nursing Home grant Joyce’s wish

An initiative that sees residents having their wishes granted is rolled out across Westgate Healthcare as part of the resident’s wellbeing scheme.

Westgate Healthcare, a family-owned and run care group with eight care homes across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Essex, launched an initiative to recognise the resident’s wellbeing across the homes by introducing the ‘Wish Tree’ scheme.

The residents often wish to have their favourite meal or a day trip out, however Kingfisher Nursing Home in Cheshnut has granted resident Joyce King’s wish for a typewriter and paper to allow her to type again.

After training at Pitman’s Secretarial College in London, Joyce learnt shorthand and typing which led her to winning awards for her talent. Once Joyce completed her secretarial training, she was employed by Pitman’s Secretarial College and worked for a Member of Parliament where she was often reporting on the voting results that had taken place.

After a visitor of another resident at Kingfisher saw Joyce’s wish for a typewriter on the Wish Tree, the visitor decided to grant Joyce’s wish by presented her with her typewriter and paper.

Joyce King, Resident at Kingfisher Nursing Home, said:
“This is what I always wanted, and this is how we used to do it at Pitman’s Secretarial College! Even if my silly hand can’t write, I can use my other arm.”

Mary Auyeh, Home Manager at Kingfisher Nursing Home, said:
“For Joyce who is often seen typing thin air with her fingers, a typewriter was clearly an integral part of her working life – it was an undeniably the best choice for her. When Joyce was presented with her typewriter, her face lit up and she was over the moon.

 “Kingfisher Nursing Home encourages residents to continue to do the things they love in order to make it their home. The Wish Tree allows the staff to create special memories for the residents, and we do our best to make sure we grant each one.”