‘Never go to bed on an argument!’ Horsham care home residents share Valentine’s Day advice

Married residents at a care home in Horsham have been sharing their secrets to a long-lasting marriage as part of their Valentine’s themed celebrations. 

Married residents and their spouses at Care UK’s Skylark House, on St Mark’s Lane, enjoyed a special afternoon tea, thoughtfully prepared by the home’s Head Chef, which included a variety of pastries, scones, sandwiches and cakes.

Residents were encouraged to reminisce about their married lives and share their advice for younger couples.

Among those attending was married couple, Doreen, a resident at Skylark House, and her husband, Michael Harvey. The couple, who have been married for 52 years, met on a bus in Battersea, where Michael purposely got off at the same stop as Doreen in order to continue their conversation. Commenting on seeing Doreen for the first time, Michael said: “It was definitely love at first sight!”. 

When asked what advice they would give to young couples, the married duo said: “Nothing comes easy, so you have to work at it. Learn from the older generations and never go to bed on an argument!”

Also enjoying the afternoon’s celebrations was married couple, Harry, a resident at Skylark House, and his wife, Maggie Stokes. The couple met in 1992 where they went for a lunchtime drink and married two years later in 1994. The couple have three children, two daughters and one son. When asked what the secret to a long marriage is, the couple agreed: “Having a good understanding and a strong friendship.”

Keen for the home’s setting to match the theme of the day, team members ensured love was truly in the air by decorating the home’s dining room with rose petals, flowers, heart-shaped bunting and balloons.

Dorota Wolosyzn, Home Manager at Skylark House, said: “We thought Valentine’s Day was the perfect opportunity to encourage residents to reminisce with their partners, while treating them to a special romantic afternoon. It was great to be able to organise a special ‘date’ for them.  

“Love truly is in the air at Skylark House, and many of the residents have also been reminiscing and sharing fond memories of their own wedding days; it was lovely to hear their stories too. We’d like to say a big thank you to Doreen and Michael and Harry and Maggie for their wise words – their advice has certainly given us food for thought.”

Skylark House has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite and palliative care.   

For more information on Skylark House, please call Customer Relations Manager, Beverly Jordan, on 01403 887 578 or email beverly.jordan@careuk.com.

For more general information, please visit: careuk.com/skylark-house.