It was a special anniversary with a difference for one Lanarkshire couple as they were reunited for the first time in three months.
John Woods was the first indoor visitor to Bellshill’s Hatton Lea care home when he got the unexpected opportunity to join wife Sandra to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary together in style.
To help the celebrations go off with a bang on the big day, the care home’s staff pulled out all the stops to make it as special as possible.
We hosted the celebration in our Memory Lane Café which was filled with colourful celebration banners and balloons brought in by family and staff. The kitchen team also baked a delicious cake which was accompanied by a range of snacks and sparkling wine.
Sandra has been a resident at Hatton Lea for the last three months and this was the first time John was able to visit her indoors.
June Sugden, care home manager, said: “It was a wonderful celebration for Sandra and John.
“The staff were so glad to join them and have the chance to help make their big day so special. It was wonderful to see them enjoy it so much and have time together again.
“It was a great feeling for all of us to see just how delighted both John and Sandra were to be reunited. Sandra had an absolute ball and was over the moon with all the compliments she received on the big day.
“John was also very appreciative of the effort staff had put in to make their visit special and he was especially touched as he hadn’t expected to be able to join Sandra in the home.
“We know how difficult it has been for people not being able to visit our loved ones in the home so the announcement that we could start opening up again was perfect timing.
“Our staff have worked very hard to make sure we open for visiting as safely as possible and it’s moments like this that make it incredibly special for our residents, their loved ones and staff.”
Trudi Marshall, nurse director, Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire, said: “Hearing stories like John and Sandra’s is fantastic.
“I can’t begin to imagine how special it must have been for them to spend their 50th anniversary together and in such style.
“Care home staff have excelled themselves throughout this pandemic and have put in a gargantuan effort to not only keep residents safe but also celebrate all the special days which mean so much to residents.”
