Norwich care home soars to new heights with museum trip

A Norwich care home organised a very special reminiscence trip ahead of Remembrance Day. 

Team members at Care UK’s Cavell Court, on Dragonfly Lane, took three residents on a trip down memory lane at the Imperial War Museum Duxford.

Among the residents visiting the museum was Betty Bowen, aged 97. Betty’s late husband, Stuart, was a pilot in the RAF. After finding his flying logbook, including details of planes he flew, Betty wished to visit the museum to honour his memory ahead of Remembrance Day. 

On the day, Betty was joined by her son, Tony, and her daughter-in-law Jean; together, they got up close to a number of aircrafts mentioned in Stuart’s logbook, including an Airspeed Oxford and a Tiger Moth. 

Also on the trip were married couple Stanley and Nancy Thompson, aged 92 and 87. Stanley was an RAF computer engineer based at West Raynham, in Norfolk. The visit was an opportunity for him to reminisce about his time in the RAF, but also brought back memories from the couple’s younger years. 

Betty said: "I couldn't believe the number of planes in each hangar, and how much larger they are when you are up close to them. I can't thank the team enough for taking me, finding the planes that Stuart has flown was incredibly touching."

Kelly Gibson, Lifestyle Lead at Cavell Court, who organised the trip, commented: “It was a such an honour to represent three people and their very different experiences of the RAF, enabling them to mark Remembrance Day in the most personal way possible. Seeing Betty, Stanley and Nancy come together today to make more memories and let Stuart's memory live on was emotional, but rewarding.”

Karen Curle, Home Manager at Cavell Court, added: “Remembrance Day is often a very special time of year for residents, especially those who were in the Armed Forces – or have loved ones who served in the military. 

“We were moved by Betty, Stanley and Nancy’s stories, and we wanted to do something special to help them commemorate the occasion this year. The visit to IWM Duxford was very emotional, and gave everyone plenty of opportunities to reminisce while getting up close to some of the impressive aircrafts. 

“I’d like to say a big thank you to the team who helped organised the trip, especially our Lifestyle Lead Kelly – Betty, Stanley and Nancy haven’t stopped talking about it, and we’re already planning our next trip.”

Cavell Court is a modern care home which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own cinema and hairdressers, and there is plenty of space both indoors and out for relaxation and recreation.