When keen former angler Roger Tinkler went on a special trip organised by his care home team, he did not expect to catch a carp that beat his personal best or land an elusive stone loach.
Tinkler is a resident at Care UK’s Oak House care home in Slough. Care UK’s 120 homes each have wishing trees, where residents can hang requests for an extra special activity – often an unfulfilled life ambition or a return to a much-loved hobby or place – and Oak House is no exception.
Tinkler’s trip to Holme Grange Reservoir was organised with the help of the home’s maintenance manager Martin Blackmun, himself a keen angler.
Martin Blackmun says: “Care UK homes support residents to live fulfilling lives. That ethos runs right through the home and is supported by all of us who work here, not just care colleagues. When I heard Roger’s wish to go fishing again, I understood entirely and jumped at the chance to help fulfil his dream.”
The day was a huge success, the pair caught numerous carp, including a new personal best catch for Tinkler, a 14lb carp. He also caught his first ever stone loach (a very rarely caught fish), as well as a number of roach. They also enjoyed a packed lunch made for them by the home’s catering team.
Blackmun says: “It was a wonderful day and it was made extra special by Roger getting a new personal best and catching such an elusive fish. The stone loach was beautiful and really did make it a very special day.”
Home manager Yvonne Keating adds: “Our colleagues, like Martin, support residents to keep busy and independent in whatever way is right for them. Some people love our daily activities, which range from arts and crafts to quizzes and games, music sessions to entertainment from local performers and evening pyjama parties.
“Others enjoy one-to-one activities, or helping out around the home. We have the very busy wishing tree right in our reception area, which helps us make special dreams come true. Whatever it takes, our team will do it to ensure residents have happy fulfilled lives.”
