“Keep one another happy” – Bromsgrove care home residents share advice this Valentine’s Day

Bromsgrove care home residents have come together to share their secrets to a long and happy marriage.

Ahead of Valentine’s Day, the team at Care UK’s Chandler Court, on Recreation Road, organised a romantic celebration for residents at the home – and shared the stories of two couples. 

The team decorated the lounge with balloons and candles, and the special event included music, dancing, and a glass or two of prosecco. Everyone attending the event received either chocolates or a red rose.

As part of the festivities, the team encouraged the couples to reminisce about their early days together, and they revealed their secrets to a long and happy marriage.

92-year-old June and her husband, 89-year-old John, enjoyed their first date when John offered to take June out for ‘a posh meal’, although he couldn’t afford it – and has been spoiling her ever since. During the uncertainty of World War Two, the pair had to move around regularly but they leant on one another for support and to stay strong. 

June and John have shared 53 years of marriage together and their three pieces of advice for couples today are to stay true to one another, keep one another happy and stay honest.

It was love at first sight for 89-year-old Patricia Allenby and her husband Anthony, aged 91, when the pair met at an RAF nurses dance at the RAF station in Tangmere and fell head over heels with one another. Not wanting to be apart, the pair went on to marry three months later. 

After sharing 51 years of married life together, the happy couple shared their secret to a long and happy marriage – “just accept one another for who they are, always laugh together and trust one another”.

Vongai Mushinga, Home Manager at Chandler Court, said: “We could all learn a thing or two from the couples at Chandler Court and their happy marriages, so we thought Valentine’s Day was the perfect opportunity to celebrate their long marriages and share their pearls of wisdom.  

“Many of the residents have also been reminiscing and sharing memories of their own past loves; it was lovely to hear stories from everyone’s younger years.    

“We’d like to say a big thank you to all the residents for their wise words – and a very happy Valentine's Day to these incredible couples!”

Chandler Court is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable its residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own cinema, café and hair salon, and there is plenty of space, both indoors and out, for relaxation and recreation.

To find out more about Chandler Court, please call Customer Relations Manager, Rosalind Lockley, on 01527 907 849 or email Rosalind.Lockley@careuk.com

For more general information, visit careuk.com/chandler-court