Driffield care home recreates store for former shop worker

A resident at a care home in Driffield has enjoyed a purl-fect return to work aged 91 as her wish was made a reality.

When team members at Care UK’s Driffield Manor, on Middle Street North, learned that retired wool-shop worker Joan Hall was keen to step back behind the counter, they were determined to make it happen.

They set to work and recreated the look and feel of Joan’s former wool shop inside Driffield Manor, which is built on the very land the original store once stood.

What is normally the home’s sweet shop was transformed into Joan’s wool store for the day, swapping lemon sherbets for yarn and bonbons for knitting needles.

Residents and team members joined in the fun, sharing stories and watching Joan step back into her old role. She was right at home greeting customers, offering advice and reminiscing about when she worked in the shop. 

The special activity 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.

Donna Henderson, Home Manager at Driffield Manor, said: “It was great to see Joan reconnect with her former career working in the wool shop. When we learned her store once stood on this very site, we knew we had to do something special, and watching her light up as she stepped into our recreation was truly heartwarming.

“At Driffield Manor, we love to support residents’ wellbeing with activities 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 past achievements and experiences.

“I would like to extend a big thank you to the entire team here at the home who made this happen – Joan was truly in her element and loved every minute.”

Driffield Manor is a modern care home providing full-time residential and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to lead enjoyable and fulfilling lives, it has its very own cinema, hair and beauty salon, bar and bowling green. There is also plenty of space – both in and outdoors – for relaxation and recreation.