A bus journey into Woking history

Home news

May 11, 2012

It was 'all aboard' for the start of National History Month at Care UK's Kingsleigh care home in Woking this week, as the residents and team joined in an afternoon of celebration of buses and local history.

The star of the ‘On The Buses’ afternoon was Robert Peters, the relative of a resident and a former bus driver with London & County buses.  Residents and team members also joined in by reading poetry.

Activities Coordinator Pauline Dolan said: “Peter looked wonderful dressed in his old uniform. He handed out old-fashioned tickets to the audience before the talk began and then he told some very entertaining stories about his time as a driver and about the history of the routes he used to travel.”

Pauline continued: “The residents had a lot of fun. Most of them have lived in the area all their lives and Peter’s stories triggered happy memories as well as being entertaining and informative.”

The residents and activities team are also working on a local history project within the Kingsleigh home. With the help of relatives and the local library, they have been creating displays of areas around the home past and present.

Pauline said: “Reminiscence is important for people with dementia. As carers we learn a lot about the person and their history, and the resident keeps up his or her skills and vocabulary as they tell us their life stories.”

“The recollection sessions have been so positive we are going to take them beyond History Month. Each month we will focus a display on a resident so that everyone can learn about their life, their achievements and their interests. Our residents have so many captivating stories, we are all looking forward to capturing them for residents and carers present and future.”

Kingsleigh care home provides care and support for 67 older people, including those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

Image caption: from left to right. Ruby Chipling,  Robb Stephens (Retired Bus driver) Margaret  Irving, Ivy Reynolds, John Battey, Violet Rance, Alfonso Belvedere