Care home resident wishes for seaside fish and chip supper

A SEASIDE trip to Cullercoats has fulfilled the wish of an elderly Tyneside care home resident.

Alex Dawson is one of many residents at Waverley Lodge Care Home, in Lemington, to add his name to the home’s wish list.

The staff are aiming to fulfil as many wishes as possible, with the latest being Alex’s trip to the coastal town.

He travelled on the bus to Newcastle and then the Metro to Cullercoats with the home’s activities coordinator, Michelle Park.

The pair talked about the pubs that used to line Scotswood Road and stopped for a chat with soldiers holding a meet and greet in Newcastle town centre. Alex spoke of his time in the Army doing his national service.

He was then treated to a fish and chip supper on the seafront, after taking a tour of the town.

He said: “I hadn’t been on a day out to the seaside for years. I wished to have proper fish and chips by the sea like when I was a lad.

“I had the best day out ever. The sea was beautiful and the sun came out. I really appreciate Michelle taking me out for the day.”

Michelle added: “You know it’s a good day when you go to the seaside with a gentleman as lovely as Alex for your job. We both had a brilliant day out.”

Julie Booth, home manager at Waverley Lodge Care Home, on Bewick Crescent, said: “We came up with the Waverley wish list as a way for the residents to express what they would like to  do.

“One gentleman said he wished to attend a Newcastle United match, another said she’d like to go to the cinema to see an old fashioned romance and, of course, Alex wanted to eat fish and chips by the seaside.

“We specialise in person-centred care at Waverley Lodge and the wish list is another way for us to tailor the service we provide to each of our residents.”