Railway Dreams Come True For Quantum Care Residents
Quantum Care, a not-for-profit provider of specialist residential, dementia, nursing and respite care, spread a little bit of magic on Wednesday by granting the wishes of over 30 of its elderly residents to ride on a steam train.
Residents and their guests came together from across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Essex for a day out at the Epping Ongar Railway. They arrived at North Weald Station at 10.30am where they started the morning with a cuppa at the station café. They then boarded the Metropolitan 1 Steam Train for a trip through the beautiful Essex countryside.
After the train, the party disembarked and boarded a vintage bus headed for Epping where they had lunch out at a local Turkish restaurant. The day ended with one last trip on the bus before heading back to their care homes.
The event was part of Quantum Care’s innovative Silver Wishes project in which staff committed themselves to granting one wish, no matter how big or small, to each of their 1,600 residents. The initiative, which was originally launched as part of Quantum Care’s 25th Anniversary celebrations has now been announced as a finalist in the National Dementia Awards, where the winners will be announced in November.
Resident Derek from Quantum Care’s Dunstable care home was absolutely thrilled with his day out. He said: ‘I grew up near to the railway and it has brought back many memories. I have had such a marvellous day today’.
Debbie Gilard, Head of Corporate Services for Quantum Care said:
‘We had the most amazing day at the Epping Ongar Railway. The volunteers that work there went out of their way to ensure that we had the best day possible. The same goes for the Pivaz restaurant in Epping who treated us to the most delicious lunch. Granting Silver Wishes like this creates positive and lasting memories for our residents while embedding the outstanding relationship between our care homes and our local communities. We have been humbled by the readiness of these local businesses and individuals to help us in any way they could, and would like to offer our sincere thanks’
