Resident goes back to work at the age of 87!

Home news

Sep 26, 2016

Edna Sheil became a resident of Ventress Hall’s newly opened dementia suite - the Sunflower suite in January 2016.

Since Edna’s arrival at Ventress Hall, she has become a real gem! Edna starts her day by helping staff serve breakfast to the other residents in the Sunflower suite and continues to assist throughout the day, helping to serve both dinner and tea, whilst wearing her personalised apron – ‘Edna Sheil, catering assistant’. Her helpfulness also includes encouraging her fellow residents to eat their meals and after each meal she also helps clear the tables.

Senior carers, Tanya Betteridge and Violet Ferguson spent time chatting with Edna about her life history and during this conversation, Edna expressed her desire to return to work at the grand age of 87 possibly within a voluntary position in a local charity shop. 

Following a discussion with a charity shop in Darlington town centre, Edna was invited to spend several hours with staff to learn about the role. Edna’s daughter Linda, and senior carer, Tanya accompanied Edna through her induction at the charity shop which included pricing and hanging the garments on the rails ready for sale.  

Edna, Tanya and Linda rounded off their outing with a visit to a coffee shop which also included a celebratory slice of chocolate cake! Edna thoroughly enjoyed her afternoon excursion and has been invited to continue her voluntary support on Wednesday mornings from 11am.

Edna said: “I am so happy to be of help at meal times in the home, but to also have the opportunity of working once a week in the chartity shop has fulfilled a dream in my new life at Ventress Hall.”