St Ives care home resident, 83, reignites love of sailing

A St Ives care home resident with a lifelong passion for sailing has found his sea legs again.

When team members at Care UK’s Field Lodge, on London Road, learned that former RAF Aircraft Engineer, Andy Waddell wished to take to the water once more, they were determined to make it happen.

 

Born in Ayr, Scotland, Andy joined the Air Force at the age of 16. Now 83, he began his sailing career in a dinghy before working his way up to become a successful offshore racing skipper on RAF yachts. During his RAF career, he was also awarded an MBE from the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Inspired by stories of his many adventures, the care home team brought Andy’s wish of experiencing sailing once more to life by taking him and his wife Gin on a special journey starting at Hunts Sailing Club – the very location from which he used to sail dinghies. 

Reflecting on his special day, Andy said: “I really enjoyed the sailing, it was good fun!”

Andy’s visit was part of the home’s Wishing Tree initiative, which encourages residents to put their ambitions forward and allow them to reconnect with a past career or hobby or try something completely new.

Linda Martinez, Home Manager at Field Lodge, said: “Andy has so many wonderful memories of his time on the water, and we knew how much it would mean to him to experience sailing again. Thanks to the Wishing Tree initiative, we were able to make his dream a reality.

“At Care UK, we believe that moving into a care home does not mean giving up the activities that bring joy and purpose. Andy's passion for sailing is a great example of how we can help residents continue lifelong hobbies.”

Field Lodge is a modern, purpose-built care home providing full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the home has a choice of lounges and dining rooms, as well as its own cinema, pub and hair and beauty salon.