Springfield Nursing Home resident, Eric, has become the first Hartford Care resident to achieve his dream – flying a light aircraft. ‘Dream Big, Live Big’ has been rolled out across Hartford Care’s 21 homes, allowing residents to turn their dreams into a reality. 92-year-old Eric was able to fly in a light aircraft across the Isle of Wight, where he was born and has lived most of his life. Keeping it in the local community – a big part of Hartford Care’s ethos – Eric only had to travel less than 10 minutes away from Springfield Nursing Home in Shanklin to Sandown Airport, where local pilot, Jim Birnie, took Eric and his daughter, Denise, on their special flight. Eric says:
“It was a wonderful experience, we flew at around 1,400 to 1,500 ft, then came down to around 1,300 ft when we were above Cowes, so I could see the place I was born more closely.”
Nikki Clark, Hospitality and Wellbeing Lead at Hartford Care, comments:
“It was such a pleasure to see how much Eric enjoyed his flight. Springfield’s Activities Co-ordinator Phil Bell and the team did such a wonderful job arranging this for Eric. There’s been a real buzz around the home knowing something so exciting was going to happen! Lynne, one of Eric’s friends from the home also came along to watch!”
Emma Jones, Operations Director at Hartford Care, comments:
“The ‘Dream Big, Live Big’ initiative, launched by Nikki and Lindsay, our Hospitality and Wellbeing Leads, has no limits, no instructions, just a sprinkle of imagination. All our team members at Hartford Care are working hard to help those who live with us to do something special. Today proves that, with a few conversations with the right people, we can achieve something amazing. Springfield Nursing Home, you have taken all of our values and made something amazing happen. I can’t wait to see what happens next across the group. I would say the sky is the limit but today you pushed the bar a little bit higher. I’m so proud to be part of the Hartford Care family.”
Springfield Nursing Home currently has 42 bedrooms and offers dementia care, residential care, respite breaks, nursing care, day care and end of life care, in a stunning Edwardian-fronted building which has been sympathetically restored and extended. For more information on Springfield Nursing Home, 26 Arthurs Hill, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, PO37 6EX, call 01983 862934 or email: [email protected]
Please call into aviation museum on your next visit xx
Yep a brilliant little museum full of
aviation facts and a bit of luck an SR53 to see well hopefully recommend
Brilliant well done Eric.
What a wonderful experience. I’m sure this gentleman will tell the other residents for months.
Just a shame what there using the planes to fly in…..