Meet Fred: The Care Home Resident Turned Tour Guide And Social Media Star

At Arkall Manor Care Home in Tamworth, a star is born. Care home manager Kim Dean noticed resident 94 year old Fred enjoyed chatting to people looking around the care home so much, that he was offered an honorary role as a volunteer tour guide of the home. Fred proudly shows potential future residents around the home, answering any questions they might have, and giving them an honest and real view of life at Arkall Manor.

“Living here at Arkall Manor is first class and 5 stars. I like the friendliness and the teamwork that goes on between the staff. The thing I like the most about giving tours is meeting people and presenting my home to prospective new residents and their families,” says Fred.

Residents are encouraged to get involved with personalised activity schedules or everyday tasks at the care home as much or as little as they wish. This can be in the kitchen helping prep meals, cleaning or gardening in the grounds. For Fred, his passion is talking to people and striking up conversation (as well as his love of Aston Villa!). Tour Guide was therefore the perfect newly created volunteer role, and the internet thinks so too. To make it official, he even received his own name badge!

“Kim ordered Fred his name badge and he was proud as punch to wear it. He has told all his family about his new role since moving into Arkall Manor,” says Richard Lawson, Regional Manager.

“Anyone who has a tour with Fred loves it – he sells the home and the lifestyle they can have here. He reassures everyone that they would be making the right decision by moving into the home.”

“Being an internet star doesn’t worry me – I am happy to do whatever to help promote the life that anyone could have if they come to live at Arkall Manor!” says Fred.

Fred’s tours have been streamed on Facebook Live, receiving thousands of views.

“We share moments from the home on Facebook to give prospective and current resident’s families a feel for the home, and to keep them up to date with what we are up to. With Fred’s excellent tours, we decided to stream them on Facebook Live, to give people virtual tours. They have been very successful, with thousands of views, and each post we do about Fred is very popular” says Richard.

“I have been an Aston Villa for 80-plus years. I was age 11 when I first started, and my family also supports them too. I am very proud of my signed shirt and program!” says Fred.

With all his hard work and enthusiasm for the home, care home manager Kim knew she had to organise something to say thank you. Fred is an Aston Villa fan, and so he was presented with a shirt signed by the current squad, as well as a signed programme. Fred has since had the shirt framed and put up in his room at Arkall Manor.