JULY Newsletter 2024

A ROYAL DAY TO REMEMBER

‘Your carriage awaits’...

In the heart of London, a group of spirited Residents embarked on an adventure to the grand Buckingham Palace as we took in dazzling sights, built friendships and revved our engines for a joy-filled day to remember! Fit for a King or Queen, our Residents were delightfully assisted to their VIP seats as Larry gave a thumbs up of approval and Jacqui was all smiles. The crowning jewel of July - this positive afternoon provided plenty of pluses as we packed sunshine and hope into our larger-than-life buses! With water and snacks packed, there were so many sweet moments to savour as we did a final head count for what would prove to be a priceless day out.

We were greeted by the majestic sight of the palace gates, smiles from staff and a warm welcome from the police, who extended their kindness with a rare privilege to park right at the front. One of many adventures - laughter echoed through the air as Geoffrey joked about the size of one officer’s gun, Cathy playfully warned against touching it and Terry continued the playful antics during the security check which brought smiles all around. With the opulence of the decor leaving us in awe, Terry counted the bulbs and a pristine looking Christine pondered the value of such splendour. A jubilant Janet felt like the luckiest woman on the planet as her smile glistened as much as the backdrop and Veronica passionately said: “This is just wonderful!” as she greeted all with smiles of excitement and anticipation. Ready to be whisked away by two guides who awaited with electric buggies, the Residents were readied to embark on a royal exploration, equipped with headphones, tablets, voices of the past and a catalogue of palace history for the group to delve into. So much more than a simple tour - this was a journey through time as we ignited old memories and created new ones. Larry mused about the grandeur of the artwork, feeling his own home dwarfed by comparison and a poignant moment surfaced as Roger stood before the coronation picture to a happy flood of memories, notably recalling a childhood visit to the Queen’s coronation with a flag in his hand.

Our mission to bring joy to our Residents was fulfilled beyond measure. As the day drew to a close, we practiced royal waves and bid farewell to the palace grounds as we reflected on a day that is etched into our hearts. A regal experience that will be recounted for years to come, this was a testament to the magic that can be found in the simplest of pleasures and the warmest of companies. A day marked with excitement and a touch of bravery was epitomised by the families of our Residents who very kindly marvelled at the courage it took to organise such an outing. We wanted to take a moment to thank everyone involved.

COMING SOON

21st September: World Alzheimer’s Day