Aberdeen care home resident receives VIP trip to favourite store

A resident at a care home in Aberdeen has been given the VIP treatment as her wish to return to her favourite shop, M&S, was granted.

Frances Blair, who lives at Care UK’s Tor-Na-Dee on North Deeside Road in Milltimber, has always been a devoted Marks & Spencer shopper – so much so that one of her biggest hopes was to revisit the much-loved retailer that had played such a special role in her life.

Having always lived in Aberdeen, Frances, now 101, regularly visited the M&S store on St Nicholas Street with her daughters, Patricia Rae (Pat) and Hazel Paterson, and friends, spending hours browsing clothing, jewellery, and gifts.

Frances said: ”I enjoyed going around to look at the clothes, jewellery and socialise!”

So when the home’s team discovered Frances wanted to experience a modern M&S store, they set to organise not just a day out, but one worthy of a VIP.

On arrival, Frances, along with her daughter Pat, and fellow residents Katherine Clark and May Bremner, received a red-carpet-worthy welcome complete with flowers and alcohol-free fizz.

They then enjoyed a pamper session in the beauty department, where they were treated to hand massages and facials, before spending the afternoon browsing the latest clothing and jewellery collections.

The trip ended with a traditional afternoon tea featuring sandwiches and scones in the store’s coffee shop, giving Frances the opportunity to reminisce about her many years as the shop’s biggest fan.

Before they left, Grace Barnett, Manager at M&S, presented the special guests with goodie bags filled with some of their favourite treats, including shortbread, sweets and skincare products. 

Frances said: ”I enjoyed the cafe and being shown around the different departments. I loved the pampering; it made me feel special and like a VIP.”

The visit was made possible thanks to Care UK’s Wishing Tree initiative, which encourages 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. 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.

Sue Jones-Wood, Home Manager at Tor-Na-Dee, said: “We were delighted to create such a memorable day for Frances and her guests by taking them on a trip to remember to Marks & Spencer! The visit enabled her to reconnect with something so special and to reminisce about cherished memories.

“Our Wishing Tree initiative is a great way for residents to share their dreams and passions, and it’s incredibly rewarding to be able to make these a reality. From the luxurious pamper session to afternoon tea, Frances really was truly treated like a VIP! She is certainly our resident M&S superfan!

“A big thank you to our wonderful team and those at Marks & Spencer for helping to make this day so special.”

Tor-Na-Dee provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care. Designed to enable residents to lead enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own cinema, hair and beauty salon and gardens, and there is plenty of space – both indoors and out – for relaxation and recreation.