Full throttle fun! Dorset care home residents make waves

Residents at a care home in Dorset embarked on an adrenalin-filled speedboat ride around the Weymouth Bay. 

Four residents from Care UK’s Anning House, on Cross Road, enjoyed a thrilling speedboat ride after they shared a wish with their care team to experience the excitement of power boating.

Penny Pargiter, aged 89, Betty Jackson aged 88, Ted Bament, aged 76, and Pauline Boynette, aged 87, all used to enjoy being on the water when they were younger. So, when the home discovered they wanted to take to the waters again, they knew they had to create a memory to remember and pull out the stops to make it happen.  

The home team booked a trip with Wetwheels Hamble, part of the Wetwheels Foundation charity, which makes boating accessible for all. The charity has a specially adapted wheelchair-accessible speedboat which allowed all four residents to enjoy the trip. 

The residents and team members first cruised through Portland Harbour and saw the Bibby Stockholm, an SAS training ship, before moving onto the 19th-century Chequered Fort, which proved a hit with the residents. 

Once out of the harbour, the residents counted down from ten before an explosion of speed sent the thrill-seekers across the bay. The captain finished the trip with a special surprise – the execution of several daring ‘donuts’ to delight the residents. 

The visit was part of Care UK’s ‘Wishing Tree’ Initiative, which encourages residents to put wishes forward, allowing them to reconnect with a past hobby or try something completely new – from flying a plane to enjoying a night at the opera, no wish is too big or small. 

Penny said: “I’m so glad that I came, it’s been so much fun!”

Pauline added: “I can’t believe that we went so fast – it was brilliant. I’m very wet but I’m happy!”

Heidi Williams, General Manager at Anning House, said: “Our speedboat ride definitely caused a stir and certainly got the residents buzzing after the afternoon's antics – there’s no doubt we’ll still be talking about it for weeks to come.

“Here at Anning House we always encourage residents to continue to enjoy their favourite pastimes, as it’s a great way to encourage them to live active and fulfilling lives. Penny, Betty, Ted, and Pauline, talk at length about their love for being out on the water and so we knew we had to help them gain this feeling again.

“It was wonderful to see their faces light up and to hear their laughter during the speedboat ride. It’s what our wishing tree is all a-boat – and we cannot wait to ‘seas’ the day and organise the next wish!”