Poole care home ‘rock star’ makes diamond comeback

A resident at a care home in Poole enjoyed a golden return to work aged 93 as her wish was made a reality.

When team members at Care UK’s The Potteries, on York Road in Broadstone, learned that retired jeweller Eileen Harvey was keen to step back in time, they were determined to make it happen.

Forum Jewellers welcomed Eileen with open arms for a nostalgic visit to tour the shop. They treated her to a free cleaning of her wedding ring and allowed her to try on the most expensive piece in the store – a £9,999 ring!

Eileen said: “The visit took me right back to my days of working in a jewellery shop. It brought back all of the wonderful memories that I had, from speaking to customers to cleaning diamonds.”

Eileen joined the jewellery industry at 15, working as a Sales Assistant at Havers the Jewellers in Bournemouth. During her “golden years”, Eileen sold everything from engagement rings to cutlery sets.  

She set aside her buffers and callipers in 1955 after seven years, once she became pregnant with her first child, Paul. 

Reminiscing back to that time, Eileen said: “I remember when I had left, my boss retired and sold the business as she did not want to continue without me!”

The special visit was part of Care UK’s Wishing Tree initiative, which encourages residents to put their dreams forward, allowing them to reconnect with a past career or try something completely new. From flying a plane to enjoying a fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small for the team to try to grant.

Zita Turner, Home Manager at The Potteries, said: “It was great to see Eileen reconnect with her former career working as a jeweller. She loved meeting the team and seeing how much her old work had changed!

“At The Potteries, we love to support residents’ wellbeing with trips that are important to them, especially those that encourage reminiscence. Activities that bring back happy memories are incredibly beneficial for older people, as they can help maintain their identity through reconnecting with their past achievements and experiences.

“I would like to extend a big thank you to the team at Forum Jewellers for welcoming Eileen – she was truly in her element and loved every minute.”

The Potteries offers full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. The home has been designed to enable residents to lead active and fulfilling lives in a luxury environment and boasts plenty of space – both indoors and out – for relaxation and recreation.