A care home resident from Care UK’s Foxland Grange in the West Midlands has finally fulfilled her teenage dream to get her first tattoo.
Helen Allen, aged 77, had always wanted a tattoo, since admiring her late partner’s, who was a biker. When Foxland Grange became a Care UK care home in 2022, the team installed a ‘Wishing Tree’ – an initiative giving residents the opportunity to suggest ideas for new hobbies they would like to try, places they would like to visit, and activities they would like to do.
Having always regretted not getting a tattoo during her teenage years, Helen decided to add her request to the home’s wishing tree.
Local tattoo studio Some’ink Different was happy to make Helen’s wish a reality, and offered to help, free of charge. With her design – a small butterfly – chosen, Helen was tattooed by Some’ink Different co-owner Garth Cole-Jones.
Helen said: “I don’t know why I didn’t get it done sooner – or why people say it’s painful! Although it’s hard to describe the feeling, I wouldn’t call it painful. Garth, the tattooist, made me feel so at ease, and I couldn’t believe how quick it took. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.”
Chelsea May, director of community relations at Foxland Grange, said: “When Helen put a wish to get a tattoo on the wishing tree, it was a real surprise and something we didn’t expect but we couldn’t wait to start organising it for her.
“Here at Foxland Grange, we like to help residents complete lifelong wishes. We encourage residents to dream big and share their hopes and ambitions. We hope Helen inspires others to make their dreams a reality, no matter their age.
“I would like to thank tattooist Garth and the team for helping to organise the wish – this is one butterfly that Helen can keep forever!”
