Ashwood care team celebrate residents on International Women’s Day

To mark International Women’s Day, the team at Ashwood  have spent quality time with the wonderful women who live at the home, looking at their life stories, their values and the important part they played, and continue to play, within their communities.

The person-centred project resulted in lots of great stories from residents, which are now displayed in the home, to show off to residents, families and visitors, who can read all about and appreciate the wonderful lives and experiences of residents.

By celebrating the important occasion at Ashwood, the team aim to recognise the importance of diversity, inclusivity and equality. Some brilliant ladies featured in the project, include Betty, Lilian and Brenda.

Betty talked about her life when she was young, gardening with her mother and helping to grow their fruit and vegetables:

“During the war I used to help my mum out with the gardening, growing fruit and vegetables. Anything in the garden was definitely made into something, we would use it all some way or another. So many things happened in our little town, things were gathered up and save and word soon got around about food. If our little shop had a delivery we would go knock on peoples doors and tell the others. It was a totally different era, different days and different ideas.”

Betty still enjoys making food for others in her community. Just recently she made chocolate covered strawberries for fellow residents.

Resident Lilian enjoyed talking about her family:

“My dad had a fruit stall, my sister was a dressmaker, my mum worked on the railway and my grandma lived next door. We had a horse and cart and we used to go down and get fruit and veg at Covent Garden.

I was evacuated during the war but, grew up in Islington. When the war ended, there were parties out in the street and pianos out in the street. Everyone brought out what they could.”

At Ashwood, Lily is either up and dancing or she is telling the team some of her most prominent memories and personal experiences during WW2.

Brenda talked about her profession as a nurse:

“I used to be a nurse you know, I loved my job so much. I also worked in a Hospice for children, I did home nursing, first aid and worked in mother care. I’m a people person, I like to keep busy.”

Brenda loves to help, support and look after others and this seems to be a role that comes naturally to her within the Ashwood community.

The wonderful project was a great way to learn a little more about the lovely ladies at the home, celebrating their successes, wonderful memories, and the meaningful lives that they have led. The team at Ashwood are always encouraging residents to chat and recognise the admirable achievements they have accumulated throughout their lives.