New Stour & Avon, July 28, 2023 31
stouravonmagazine.co.uk
Health & Wellbeing
Betty celebrates 105th birthday in style Betty, a resident at Care South’s Wickmeads care home in Southbourne, has celebrated her milestone 105th birthday. Betty joined the home in 2022 and was born in Birmingham in 1918. A few years later, Betty and her parents, Maud and Ivor moved to Aldershot. As she grew up, Betty met the love of her life, Rocky Knight. Betty served as a member of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS). Rocky and Betty married in December 1945. Betty and Rocky had a busy married life, moving to Bournemouth in 1957, where they lived a 10-minute walk from Fisherman’s Walk beach in Southbourne. Betty, a talented seamstress, took a job at Mostyn’s in Boscombe making curtains. Betty now lives in Wickmeads care home in Southbourne, and has three grandsons, one granddaughter and is the great-grandmother of six. She celebrated her milestone 105th birthday at the home, starting the day with a special pamper session and spent the afternoon opening cards and presents surrounded by family, friends and fellow residents. To mark the special occasion, friend and performer Mike Sideaway helped Betty celebrate
her birthday in style with songs from Cliff Richard, Abba, and many more, as everyone enjoyed some drinks and dancing.
Towards the end of the performance, Betty was surprised with a delicious birthday cake and the home sang happy birthday to her.
The highshighs and lows Fostering & lows of fostering
‘There are always highs and sometimes some really tough lows, onehighs brings “Therebut areeach always andnew sometimes some tough lows, rewards and newreally challenges.’ but each oneand brings newofrewards The hustle bustle a and new challenges” busy household can provide so The hustle and bustle of a busy much joy and fulfilment, seeing household can provide so much others or seeing just sharing joy andachieve fulfilment, others experiences over a heartachieve or just sharing experiences warming breakfast. breakfast. over a heart-warming Yet, that there thatdoes doesnot notmean mean there are are no challenges involved, withany no challenges involved, with any household regardless sizeand household regardless of of size and make up has its own unique make-up its own challengeshaving – and that is theunique same for challenges – and that is the same fostering households. for fostering households. When children come into your life, whether thatcome be short or When children intoterm your long whether term you that knowbeasshort a carer that,or life, term at some point, is moreasthan likely long term, youit know a carer this child may move on to a more that at some point it is more than permanent home. It can be emotional likely child may onour to to see athis youngster movemove on but acarers morehighlight permanent home. that it is nice to see It canthey be emotional to seeand a happy when become settled in a new home. One notes youngster move oncarer but our carers such moment a low highlight thatisit“aishigh niceand to see together! …become A high assettled we know when they andwe have made a difference in their lives, happy in abecause new home. but a low, they are leaving One you” carer notes such a moment isThis ‘a high and a low together... a is not only a difficult time for high as we the carer, theknow child we musthave also made get used a new home, guardians. atodifference in and theirnew lives, but a
low, because they are leaving Advertising feature you’. This is not only a difficult time for the carer, but the child must also get used to a new home, and new guardians. That is why Footprints pay close attention to this transition, giving the support required for all individuals. Over the last years, more special guardianships have been approved, allowing carers to That is whyyoungsters Footprints pay look after on aclose more attention to this transition, permanent basis - this is giving a greatthe support required for Footprints all individuals. outcome of which are Over the last years, more special proud. guardianships have been approved, If you arecarers up for a newafter challenge allowing to look youngsterscould on a more permanent fostering be your next step, basis, this is a great outcome that but remember it does not always Footprints are proud go swimmingly; butof.it promises If you are up for a new challenge rewards! fostering could be your next step, That is why Footprints the but remember it does not are always best choice for but anyone that go swimmingly, it promises rewards!feel That is whyin Footprints would content a small are the best choice for anyone that would supportive environment. feel content in a small supportive In the next article from the environment. series, be exploring what In the we nextwill article from the series, inspires wonderful we will beour exploring whatfoster inspires our wonderful foster carers! carers!
Could you give a child a foster home? Personalised social worker support, 24/7, 365 Regular training Informal get togethers Excellent financial rewards
01202 573408 www.footprintsfostercare.co.uk