Virtual wish comes ‘choo’ for former Severn Valley Railway founder

A local care home resident, and founder of the Severn Valley Railway, was delighted to go on a virtual reminiscence train journey. 

87-year-old Roger Hobson, a resident at Care UK’s Brook Court, on Oldnall Road, was thrilled when team members created a virtual train in the cinema room, complete with tickets, carriage-style seating and even a snack trolley, to take residents ‘from Chester to Holyhead’. 

 

Roger, who has loved steam locomotives since he was a child, was delighted with the surprise, which reminded him of his career at the Severn Valley Railway. Roger is one of the founding members of the Severn Valley Railway Society, who purchased the tracks from British Railways in 1965. 

Knowing how much Roger enjoys discussing his passion, and being unable to currently visit the Severn Valley Railway, the team at Brook Court were inspired to create a virtual train journey for Roger and his Brook Court family to enjoy. 

Roger said “I had a great time on the virtual train journey, and loved how the journey travelled around the coast and up the mountains. We had lots of railway sounds, and even a candle that added a realistic steam train scent, which really brought the experience to life.”

Gill Pratt, Home Manager at Brook Court said: “We had a fantastic time on our virtual train journey from Chester to Holyhead.

“Here at Brook Court, we are always looking for new, innovative ways to engage with residents, and support them to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives. Everyone at the home knows how much Roger loves locomotives, which is why we thought a virtual train journey would make the perfect activity.

“It was a wonderful afternoon, and we’re already planning our next virtual trip!”

After Roger and his fellow volunteers worked tirelessly to repair the purchased track, the Severn Valley Railway saw its first passenger steam train run in 1970 from Bridgnorth to Hampton Loade. This became popular, and the regular steam services led to further expansion of the railway to Highley and Bewdley. 

Roger studied to become a Train Guard, and later a Guards Inspector, before being elected as a Director for the Severn Valley Railway Company in 1980. In 2016, Roger was presented with a Gold Award for 50 years of voluntary service by HRH, The Duke of Gloucester.  

Brook Court is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing, dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. The care home, which features 67 en-suite bedrooms, has been designed to enable its residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own cinema, hairdressing salon and café.

To find out more about Brook Court, email Customer Relations Manager, Kay Mayes, on kay.mayes@careuk.com  or call on 01562 814 715.

For more general information visit careuk.com/brook-court.