Stansted care home resident takes centre stage with emotional return to college

A resident at a care home in Stansted had her wish granted when she returned to her former workplace after decades away.

When team members at Care UK’s Mountfitchet House, on Coltsfield, learned that 88-year-old Patricia Cooper was keen to step back in time, they were determined to make it happen.

The University of Cambridge’s Homerton College, where Patricia worked as a senior lecturer in the drama department for more than a decade, welcomed her back with open arms.

The college students even contacted Mountfitchet House ahead of the trip to express their delight in meeting Pat.

During the visit, Pat toured the college grounds, enjoyed lunch with current students and reflected on how the institution has evolved since her time there.

Pat said: “I was very touched and thought I may just cry – which I did! I couldn’t have imagined a better day.

“The honour and respect I was shown was indescribable. The day was just brilliant, and it felt like I had never really left.

“Having students from the union there, and Principal Simon Woolley himself, I could not have asked for anything more. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Born in Huddersfield, Pat later studied at the University of Essex where she gained a master’s in drama, having previously completed a degree in English language and literature at Durham University.

Across a teaching career spanning 25 years, she introduced a theatre and education initiative at Homerton College – designed to involve students in drama.

Reflecting on her career, Pat said there was “never a dull moment” and that “every day was an anecdote”.

Pat’s experience was made possible thanks to Care UK’s 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 lead fulfilling lives – from skiing to a fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small.

Joanna Duke, Home Manager at Mountfitchet House, said: “Supporting residents to reconnect with the people, places and passions that have shaped their lives is an important part of what we do, so it was wonderful to help make Pat’s visit to Homerton College possible.

“Hearing her share stories from her years teaching there and seeing the warm welcome she received from students made the day incredibly special for everyone involved.”

Mountfitchet House is a state-of-the-art care home that provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. It incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies, and includes its own cinema, hair and beauty salon and pub.