Serving soldiers swap life stories with care home residents
30 residents from two Somerset Care residential care homes recently shared lunch and swapped military life stories with serving soldiers from RNAS Yeovilton.
Swapping military reminiscences
Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Scott Middleton and four fellow service personnel from 652 Squadron, 1 Regiment Army Air Corps, visited Grovelands residential and dementia care home in Yeovil. They chatted with the home’s residents, along with visiting residents from Burnworthy House in South Petherton, providing an insight into the modern army.
Military veterans from both homes wore their medals with pride, as they shared their experiences and compared how the services have changed over the years.
Forming instant connections
Alison Tiltman, Burnworthy House Registered Manager, says:
“The 652 Squadron visit was such a warm, humbling experience and an honour for us to be part of. It was wonderful to see the instant connection the soldiers made with residents, and witness the pride in our residents’ faces as they spoke of their own military service.
“SSgt Middelton thanked our residents for their contribution to service – and our residents thanked his Squadron for carrying on the honour of serving their country. This was such a special moment, and we are so grateful to 652 Squadron for making this possible.”
Meaningful memories
Karen Cheshire, Grovelands Registered Manager, adds:
“We were delighted to host members of 652 Squadron, along with residents from Burnworthy House, for such a meaningful and memorable day. Both homes have residents who served, and they thoroughly enjoyed exchanging stories with the visiting soldiers.
“Our military veterans at Grovelands include:
“Eileen, who commenced Officer training in 1967, and passed out at RAF Henlow having won the sash for best woman on the course. Eileen also served at RAF Biggin Hill and RAF Medmenham in Buckinghamshire.
“Dave, whose RAF career spanned 22 years, and saw him stationed at Middle Wallop in Hampshire.”
“It was wonderful to hear them sharing and comparing their experiences with serving military personnel.”
An ongoing partnership
Karen Cheshire continues:
“At the end of his visit, SSgt Middleton announced that he would be returning to present Grovelands with his Jubilee medal! We were all incredible touched by this kind gesture, especially our residents who have served or have connections with those who do.
“We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to 652 Squadron, for reawakening the incredible life stories of our residents and helping them to feel connected to the services they were a part of.
“We look forward to welcoming SSgt Middleton and his colleagues back to Grovelands as our partnership continues.”
SSgt Scott Middelton, 652 Squadron, concludes:
“It was our pleasure to visit all the residents from Burnworthy and Grovelands. It is the very least that we as serving soldiers can do for people who served themselves or had families that helped give my generation the opportunities we have now.”
Celebrating life stories
Find out more about life in our care homes, where life stories are celebrated, interests are encouraged and friendships formed.Call our friendly and knowledgeable care enquiries team on 0800 8174 990, or click on the buttons below.
