87-Year-Old Poole Care Home Resident Returns To The Rugby Pitch
An 87-year-old ex-rugby player was delighted when his care home organised for him to return to the pitch.
Care UK’s The Potteries, on York Road, pulled out all the stops for resident Bob Carpenter when they discovered it was his wish was to attend a rugby match again.
Bob, who used to play for Oldfield Boys School, Bath, in the 1950s, attended the Poole vs Bournemouth match on Saturday 23rd March – but that wasn’t it for his surprise trip out.
The team also organised for Bob to meet the players ahead of kick-off, where he received a signed shirt, before walking out onto the pitch alongside the Poole team. After watching the match from the best seats in the house, Bob was also treated to a special lunch in the clubhouse with the players – which left him feeling like the real man of the match.
Speaking about his special day, Bob said: “I was over the moon! You wouldn’t think I lived in a care home with what I get to do. It was a shame that Poole lost by only three points, it was a close game.
“It felt great being on the pitch again and brought back so many wonderful memories.”
The special visit was part of the home’s Wishing Tree Initiative, which encourages residents to put wishes forward, allowing them to reconnect with a past hobby or try something completely new – from flying a plane to enjoying a fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small.
Zita Turner, Home Manager at The Potteries, added: “Here at The Potteries, we are always looking for new and exciting ways to support residents to lead fulfilling lives, and The Wishing Tree initiative is a fantastic way of doing just that.
“When the team heard that Bob would like to relive his years as a professional rugby player, we knew we had to make it happen. Always keen to go above and beyond, we were thrilled when Poole Rugby Club allowed us to organise a special lunch, meet and greet and a signed shirt too.
“Bob has had a smile on his face since we returned and has loved showing fellow residents and team members his signed shirt. It was a brilliant day, and we’d like to say a huge thank you to Poole Rugby Club for helping us to make Bob’s wish come true.”
The Potteries has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives in a luxury environment. The home provides full-time residential care, nursing care, dementia care and respite care and also boasts plenty of space – both indoors and out, for relaxation and recreation.
