A care home resident in Bracknell was delighted to return to her former workplace after more than 40 years.
When the team at Care UK’s Bickerton House, on Warfield Road, learned that resident and retired school secretary Edna Mullard, 90, was keen to go back to the school where she used to work, they were determined to make it happen.
Edna’s career at Thomas Jones Primary School spanned across 32 years from 1962 to 1994, where she was a popular and respected secretary in the school office.
Keen to organise a special day for Edna, the team at Bickerton House planned a trip back to the school where she spent so many happy years. She was given a warm welcome by headteacher David Sellens, who gave an emotional speech before showing Edna around the modernised school buildings.
Later, Edna was reunited with some of her former colleagues and introduced to the other teachers and staff, who compared notes about the many changes to the school over the years. Edna enjoyed meeting dozens of pupils and was even able to sit at the secretary’s desk and welcome visitors into the school for old times’ sake.
Speaking about her nostalgic experience, Edna said: “When I arrived at the school, the welcome I received was overwhelming. I remembered the maintenance man I used to work with just from his voice. It was very emotional.
“I loved going back and seeing old faces – the building had changed dramatically but the memories were the same. When I worked there, I wanted to be there all the time and frequently worked late and in the school holidays as I missed being away.
“It was amazing going back and seeing everyone, and the children were delightful.”
To top off the experience, Edna was also invited to be the guest of honour at a special theatre performance by students on the day.
Michael Pallister, Home Manager at Bickerton House, said: “It was great to see Edna reconnect with her successful career as a school secretary. She thoroughly enjoyed the experience, as did we. It was a very emotional day with happy tears all round.
“At Bickerton House, we love to support residents’ wellbeing with activities and trips that are important to them, especially those that encourage reminiscence. Activities that bring back happy memories are incredibly important for older people, as they can help maintain a sense of purpose and identity through reconnecting with their past achievements and experiences.
“I’d like to extend a big thank you to the team and everyone at Thomas Jones Primary School for welcoming Edna back; she was truly in her element and loved every minute.”
Bickerton House has been designed to encourage residents to live active and fulfilling lives, while remaining as independent as possible in a safe environment. The state-of-the-art care home provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care, and features a bar and café, cinema, hair salon, activities room and garden.
For more information on Bickerton House, call Customer Relations Manager Chantel Baigent on 01344 989943, email chantel.baigent@careuk.com or visitcareuk.com/bickerton-house
