Bournemouth Care Home Teams Up with Local Pizzeria to Make Resident’s Wish Come True

A Bournemouth care home resident has been filled with joy and nostalgia as staff helped to recreate some of his happiest lifelong memories.

Staff at RMBI Care Co. Home Zetland Court organised for two Italian chefs from local pizzeria, El Murrino, to give Enzo and his fellow residents an opportunity to try their hand at throwing pizza dough, and tuck into their fresh handmade pizza.

Resident Enzo Sgueglia, aged 86, always dreamed of working in the restaurant industry. His wish came true when he curated the first Italian trattoria in Hampshire and it was here he met his wife to be, Gillian.

Born in Naples, Italy, Enzo was the youngest of six siblings. He got his first job at the age of 10 delivering bread in the local neighbourhood, but he longed to learn English and become a maître d. He moved to England at the age of 24, and worked in The Raven Pub, in Hampshire, where he fell in love with Gillian, the landlord’s daughter. The couple got married in 1966 and eventually took over the family pub, which they extended into a hotel. They had three children and later moved to Salisbury where they bought The Inn at Highpost (now Stones Hotel) and worked there until they retired. Today, the couple have four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

“We wanted to do something that celebrated Enzo, his Italian heritage and his life achievements. It is such a big and important part of who he is,” says Natalia Davies, Dementia Care Manager at Zetland Court.

“The chefs engaged with Enzo throughout the activity, and residents shared their own stories and experiences; it was a special moment for everyone involved,” Natalia added.