Sale care home resident’s dream comes true

A resident at a care home in Sale has scratched her travel itch by taking a trip to Japan…of sorts. 

Jane Wilkinson, 92 and resident at Care UK’s Oakfield Croft, travelled the world with her husband Roy for many years. However, since his passing she stopped travelling, and with Japan always at the top of her wish list, she believed she’d missed her chance to visit.

 

After speaking with the Japanese embassy, the care home team discovered that Japan Week was soon to be taking place in Manchester.

Inspired by the opportunity, they arranged a special day out for Jane, taking her to the Central Library and Aviva Studios to enjoy exhibitions, performances and workshops celebrating the culture of the Land of the Rising Sun. 

Jane said: “My favourite part of the day was admiring the stunning portraits on display, they reminded me of all the different faces and cultures I’ve encountered on my own travels.”

When asked if she ever imagined experiencing Japan, she admitted with a smile: “I never thought the opportunity would arise. I was always a little jealous that my brother had visited without me, so it felt extra special to finally have my own taste of Japan.”

Jane is no stranger to adventure, having travelled widely across the UK and Europe, as well as further afield to the Amazon, Canada, and the Black Sea. Each journey has given her treasured memories, but this experience brought something new – a chance to connect with a place she had long admired from afar.

The visit was part of the home’s Wishing Tree initiative, which encourages residents to put forward their goals, allowing them to reconnect with a past hobby or try something completely new.

Roxanne Walsh, Home Manager at Oakfield Croft, said: “We were delighted to take Jane to Japan Week in Manchester. It’s something she has longed to do for years, and she thought she’d never have the opportunity to experience even just a taste of Japanese culture.

“It’s so important for residents to have dreams, and it doesn’t matter how old you are or what the aspiration is. We always try to find a way to make it happen.

“We had such a lovely day out, exploring the city and seeing Jane light up with excitement. It was a joy to be part of.”

Oakfield Croft is designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilling lives, while also promoting independence, and incorporates plenty of space for hobbies and leisure activities. The building's layout is configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to facilitate the creation of close-knit communities, and boasts facilities including a cinema, café and hair and beauty salon.