93-year-old resident’s piano wish strikes a chord at Woking care home

A resident at a care home in Woking has got his rhythm back after his wish to play the piano again was made a reality.

When the team at Care UK’s Greenview Hall, on Streets Heath, heard that 93-year-old resident David Wiltshire wanted to reignite his passion for piano, it really struck a chord.

Team members stepped into action and arranged for David to have private piano lessons with local tutor Chris Snelling. Building on this, the home also set up a choir, with David on piano, inviting others who shared his passion for music to join him. Led by Chris, the choir has helped David reconnect with his musical roots while creating a space that brings residents together through a shared love of music.

David had always spoken of his love for piano and deeply missed the experience. He was self-taught and played for 20 years on his piano at home, taking the same book out of the library for 17 years to learn everything he could. Due to changes in his health, he stopped playing around six years ago and his wish was to play at least one more time.

David said: “It was so lovely to start playing again when I moved into Greenview, I feel it gave me a sense of purpose and brought back fond memories.”

Following weekly lessons with Chris, David has since performed in a concert at the home for other residents, as well as special occasions such as birthdays for his friends. It has given him a huge confidence and wellbeing boost, and helped to increase his mobility to now independently walk with his frame.

The 17-person choir now meet twice a month in the home’s lounge, bringing them joy and happiness, and David continues with his piano practice three times a day.

David added: “I enjoy singing alongside the other residents, but I also get a great sense of achievement singing with the professionals when being asked to do a duet in front of the choir and the local community. I am very surprised how quickly it comes back to you after not playing for so long, the private sessions definitely helped from Greenview Hall!”

The lessons were part of the home’s Wishing Tree initiative, which allows residents to make wishes for new hobbies they’d like to try, places they’d like to visit, or even activities linked to past careers. This initiative encourages residents to enjoy their lives to the fullest – from skiing to a fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small.

Meera Govindapillai, Home Manager at Greenview Hall, said: “We knew this would be a dream come true for David, and it’s amazing to see how much joy it continues to bring him.

“Our Wishing Tree initiative is a wonderful way for residents to share their passions and ambitions, and it’s hugely rewarding to be able to make these a reality. Music is proven to improve older people’s wellbeing and quality of life, as well as engaging their memory as they learn to play new chords.

“The choir has been a great way to bring all of our music lovers together here at Greenview Hall, and I’d like to extend a big thank you to David’s teacher and choir leader, Chris, and the team here for making his wish come true!”

Designed to enable residents to lead active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Greenview Hall incorporates plenty of opportunities for hobbies and leisure activities. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. The layout of the building configured is into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to facilitate the creation of close-knit communities.