Living the high life – Davers Court organises flying visit for local 100-year-old

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Sep 24, 2019

A resident from a Bury St Edmunds care home took to the skies for the second time to inspire others and celebrate her 100th birthday.

Last year, Olwyn Hopkins, a resident at Care UK’s Davers Court, on Shakers Lane, was surprised by the team with the opportunity to fly in a glider plane, something she had not done in over 80 years. 

Keen to mark becoming a centenarian in style, Olwyn decided that another flying visit was in order, and took to the skies once again. 

Born in Wales, Olwyn’s first experience of flying in a small aircraft was 82 years ago, when she was just 19 years old. Travelling from Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight, she didn’t enjoy the experience and, until last year, hadn’t been on a glider plane since.

Having sampled a taste of the high life, she wanted to take to the skies once more in celebration of her 100th birthday, and the team at Davers Court gladly made it happen.

As part of the wishing tree initiative, the team at Davers Court encourage residents to submit wishes, no matter how big or small, whether they’re related to something they’ve never been able to do, or something they’d like to do again.

With the help of Rattlesden Gliding Club, Olwyn was able see the world from above for a second time. Leaving from Felsham, the 100-year-old was able to take in the beautiful views of Suffolk beneath.

Sharlene Van Tonder, home manager at Davers Court, said: “At Davers Court, we consistently encourage residents to lead fulfilling lives, whether that comes from helping out in the garden, or taking a trip in a glider!

“Olwyn’s last flying experience was a real success, so when she submitted her wish to fly a second time through our ‘wishing tree’ initiative, we were thrilled to be able to grant her wish and help her to fulfill her dreams once more. Olwyn had a brilliant time and it was great to see how being up in the air brings her so much joy.”

Olwyn added: “I wanted to show people that you can be adventurous at any age, and that the sky really is the limit!

“It was a wonderful day and I was delighted to be able to get back into an aircraft, this time feeling excited rather than nervous. It was a fantastic way to celebrate my 100th birthday and I can’t thank Rattlesden Gliding Club and the team at Davers Court enough for organising this experience for me.”  

Davers Court is a modern care home which provides full-time residential 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 hair salon, and there is plenty of space both indoors and out for relaxation and recreation. The care home’s adjacent day centre is designed for older people who are still living at home, the club offers flexibility, variety and reassurance.

To find out more about Davers Court, please call senior business administrator, Lottie Linton, on 01284 847 868, or email lottie.linton@careuk.com

For general information please visit, careuk.com/davers-court