Seaside childhood memories rekindled for elderly residents

A SEASIDE trip was a walk down memory lane and brought back many childhood memories for elderly care home residents on an outing to Whitley Bay.

The town on the north east coast was the scene for many a childhood holiday for residents at Waverley Lodge Care Home, Lemington, near Newcastle. Staff and family joined the residents for a day out to the coast, which included fish and chips and a walk along the beach.

Resident Veronica White, 68, who first visited Whitley Bay in the 1960s, was astonished at how much the town had changed from when she was a child. She said: “It doesn’t look like Whitley Bay. It looks posh now.”

Michelle Park, activities coordinator at Waverley Lodge Care Home, showed Veronica a display of old posters and photos outside the amusement arcades, which brought back memories.

Michelle said: “Veronica recognised the old Spanish City leisure centre, a local landmark that had slides, merry-go-rounds, waltzers and other fairground rides. It was great to be able to take the residents out for the day, the smiles on their faces meant the world to all of us.  When they got back to Waverley Lodge they all wanted to tell everyone how much fun they’d had and their childhood memories.”

After returning to the care home, resident Francis Costello, 92, said: “I had such a lovely time. I’m ready for my bed now. It must be the sea air.”

Jackie Wright, daughter of resident Matty Ovington, said: “It was lovely seeing my dad look so happy. He’s really enjoying living at Waverley Lodge.”

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