Turning A Page: Hertfordshire Care Home Shares Inspiring Story Of Reigniting Resident’s Life-Long Love For Writing To Mark National Writing Day
With today (Thursday 24th) being National Writing Day, a Hertfordshire care home has shared the inspiring story of one of its residents, whose recent move to the home has facilitated his life-long love of writing, resulting in an autobiography documenting his extraordinary life.
Self-proclaimed bookworm and author, Hilmar Warenius, 79, has attributed his recent move to Foxholes Care Home, near Hitchin, as the motivation that reignited his life-long love for writing.
Titled ‘Magic Bullets Magic Targets’, the former doctor and University of Cambridge graduate’s memoirs detail his journey into medicine, the background of a successful marriage raising three much-loved children, as well as a story of politics and tribulations, featuring a significant clinical trial in the time of Margaret Thatcher’s tenure.
Utilising a wealth of his favourite reading material, which includes novels, anthologies of poetry, scientific books, and Charles Dickens’ ‘Great Expectations’ and ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, Hilmar has already put pen to paper, contributing over 100,000 words to his memoirs, along with 39 written poems.
Hilmar arrived at the family-run care home at the beginning of 2021, having wanted a change of setting after a prolonged period of isolation throughout the nation’s lockdown. Having sold his house and yearning for a sense of community, Hilmar quickly rediscovered his creative edge and love for writing in a supportive and thriving environment that he now proudly calls home.
Recounting his decision to move to Foxholes, Hilmar said: “I was very lonely before I came to Foxholes, and not in a good place at all. I think there is far too much of a concept that care homes are necessary for people who are getting old and are no longer able to look after themselves, but I think that’s foolish. You can still live a very active and fulfilling life within a secure existence without worrying your children or your family. Overall, I’m a much happier person since joining the Foxholes family.
“I think when you get to a certain age, and you’re left in a big house with lots of responsibilities, then you shouldn’t take all those worries with you. Instead, take a break. It’s a much better idea to be free and do other things. I’m still running my business, a small biotech business that I oversee from my room. I also play the guitar. In fact, I even play for some of the residents in the lounge when they can’t go to sleep at night.”
The multitalented writer even credited the diverse array of personalities around him at the Hitchin home in playing a significant role in his creativity and inspiration when putting pen to paper.
He continued: “My motivation stems from living events and the intricate variety of people I’m lucky enough to surround myself with on a day-to-day basis. Writing occurs mainly in my subconscious. Often it decides when and where it wants to appear, so having the right environment to trigger that is crucial. It may suddenly be triggered by something I see or hear on the radio, but often it’s memories, close or distant. It’s about sharing the thoughts of another mind and gaining a unique perspective. It’s about being alive at the time the words are or were written.”
Neil Gandecha, Estate Manager at Foxholes Care Home, said: “Hilmar has lived a very eventful and interesting life, so we’re extremely grateful in being able to play a part in reigniting his love for writing again. Being a family-run home, it’s important to us that people feel right at home when they join our extended family. We’re pleased our strong sense of connection and community has reignited Hilmar’s previous passion for writing and we’re all eagerly waiting for the completion of his much-anticipated memoirs.”
