Cardiff care home resident fulfils lifelong wish

A Cardiff care home resident has proven it’s never too late to follow your dreams - especially when it comes to hitting the high notes. 

87-year-old resident Anita Jones, a resident at Care UK’s Llys Herbert on Ty-Draw Road, was recently surprised with a heartwarming musical experience, thanks to the team at the home. 

Former History teacher, Anita, had always dreamed of singing in a choir, ever since a school teacher once told her she “couldn’t hold a note.” Knowing her desire to prove a childhood music teacher wrong, the team arranged a special visit from The 2 Wish Choir.

On the day, as part of the home’s summer fete, Anita took centre stage alongside the choir, cheered on by friends, family, and the Llys Herbert team, to perform a rendition of Lawr Ar Lan Y Mor.

Commenting on her wish, Anita said: “I was delighted to be part of this amazing choir.”

The team at Llys Herbert have a ‘Wishing Tree’ initiative, which allows residents to suggest ideas for new hobbies they’d like to try, places they’d like to visit or even activities linked to past careers. This encourages residents to live fulfilling lives – from skiing to a fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small.

Wendy Griffiths, Customer Relations Manager at Llys Herbert, said: “Anita always had a passion for singing and after hearing her wish to sing as part of a choir in retaliation to her music teacher’s comment, we knew we had to make it happen. 

“It was a lovely performance: Anita was a natural and truly stole the show! We were so pleased to see how happy it made her, it was a truly heartwarming moment for all in attendance. 

“I’d like to extend a huge thank you to the 2 Wish Choir and the team at Llys Herbert for making Anita’s wish a reality – she really is a showstopper!”

Llys Herbert is a state-of-the-art care home that 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 home has its very own cinema, pub and hair and beauty salon, and there is plenty of space – both indoors and out – for relaxation and recreation.