Stansted care home residents get first tattoo and piercing

It was a day of firsts at a care home in Stansted as two residents decided to try something a little outside their comfort zones.

After Enid Needham, 88, and Sian Watkins, 60, shared with the team at Care UK’s Mountfitchet House on Coltsfield their two long-held wishes, they set off on a trip to Chapel Hill Studio.

Enid had her ears pierced for the first time – something she had always wanted to do but had never got around to. She selected her earrings and afterwards said about the experience: “It made me feel a little bit nervous, but as soon as I got there, I had nothing to worry about. The girl was brilliant, so understanding. I feel great and superb ever since!

“It’s something ticked off my bucket list for sure. I have wanted my ears pierced for years but kept putting it off due to losing courage. With the help of Alex and Sharon from the Mountfitchet House team, I got there – and now I'm really pleased. I cannot wait to get some more earrings and show them off.”

Sian decided to get her very first tattoo. The chosen design holds special meaning, featuring a tiger to represent strength and power alongside a daffodil – a nod to her Welsh roots – and a marigold to mark her birth month of October.

Sian said: “It was interesting, the team at the shop were really patient, and so lovely to us. Getting my first tattoo was exciting, I didn't even flinch! The tiger shows I'm strong and the daffodil shows my Welsh side.”

The residents were accompanied by team members during the visit, who supported them throughout.

The pair'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 for the team to try to grant.

Joanna Duke, Home Manager at Mountfitchet House, said: “It was fantastic to support Enid and Sian in achieving their wishes. It’s not every day we organise a trip for piercings and tattoos, but that’s exactly what makes a day like this so special!

“Seeing Enid and Sian take the plunge and try something new was brilliant. The Wishing Tree initiative is all about helping residents to keep expressing themselves and do things they’ve always talked about, and we’re delighted to have been a part of their special day.”

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.