Issue 144 26.04.23
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Ena recalls her meetings with King Charles A WIDOW whose husband was killed in action during WWII has recalled her friendship with His Majesty King Charles III, the former Prince of Wales, ahead of his coronation on May 6. Ena Mitchell became a member of the War Widows’ Association following husband Bill’s death, and formed a friendship with the then Prince of Wales. Ena is now 104, and is the oldest resident living at Royal Star & Garter in High Wycombe. The home provides loving, compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia. Bill, a Dunkirk and D-Day veteran, was killed in Belgium in 1944 when the Bren gun carrier he was travelling in to fetch supplies for his unit was bombed. Ena went on to join the War Widows’ Association, and got to befriend the future King when he became its Patron. She said: “I met him lots of times, he’s been wonderful to the War Widows’ Association.” Ena remembers being introduced to Her Majesty Queen Camilla, formerly HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, by the Prince during a War Widows’ Association visit to Buckingham Palace. She added: “We were
standing in a circle and he was introducing us to Camilla. “One of our group told her she had four children when her husband was killed, and she (Camilla) was so kind and sympathetic. “You couldn’t have met a nicer person.” Ena would meet the Prince on several occasions, including at official functions at Highgrove House and Clarence House, and remained in touch with him after moving to Royal Star & Garter. They would exchange letters and Ena added: “I also sent him a couple of architecture books I thought might interest him and got nice letters back. He is so friendly.” Ena was a prolific fundraiser, collecting money for charities including Royal British Legion, NSPCC and Children with Cancer. In the 1970s, she was part of a War Widows’ Association group which visited Royal Star & Garter at its former Home in Richmond. She said: “I was so fascinated and impressed that I thought that this will be the charity that I’ll really work hard for.” Over five decades, Ena has helped raise thousands of pounds for Royal Star & Garter, often asking for donations to be made to the charity on her birthday, instead of receiving presents.
Chair of Care England and Hallmark Care Homes, Avnish Goyal was awarded a CBE in her late Majesty’s birthday honour’s list and visited Buckingham Palace to receive the honour at a formal ceremony. Avnish, founder of family-run care provider Hallmark Care Homes, received the national honour for his services to social care and philanthropy and was presented the title by The Princess Royal. He was also recognised for his work during the pandemic with the largest representative body for social care, Care England, The Care Workers Charity and volunteer-led initiative; Championing Social Care.
Care home hosts art exhibition CARE home residents in Solihull, unveiled their art exhibition in style to family and friends at Claridge Place. Th art exhibition took place with entertainment and plenty of cheese and wine. Claridge Place incorporated the sensory painting method, involving a range of materials and techniques to create a textured and multi-sensory experience for the residents to showcase their skills. The organisation of the exhibition was a collaborative process from all members of the team, and was an important, meaningful activity for residents, and for families to enjoy. Stacey Debney Webber, customer relations manager at Claridge Place, said: “Art sessions are important for our residents at Claridge Place. It empowers
them and gives them the opportunity to express themselves. “It has had a positive impact or all our residents, particularly those living with a Dementia diagnosis. Over the past two months our residents have been working hard to produce some stunning art pieces for our exhibition. “The residents at Claridge Place were proud to showcase their pieces and we received some wonderful feedback from families. “The event gave the team, residents and their loved ones an opportunity to come together and celebrate. The exhibition gave our residents a sense of achievement, inclusion and pride.” The residents were overjoyed to see their artistic talents on display and share their creativity with others.
Book a demonstration today by calling 01925 386800 or visit www.carebeans.co.uk