Train journey back in time for Teesside care home residents

A TIME travelling train journey was enjoyed by Teesside care home residents when they stepped onto an 1840s railway station.

Residents from The Beeches Care Home, on Green Lane, Stockton-on-Tees, paid a visit to Head of Steam Darlington Railway Museum for a dementia friendly day.

They explored the museum’s historic locomotives, including the star attraction, Stephenson’s Locomotion No.1, on loan from the National Railway Museum.

There was also an 1840s railway station, which included a booking office, footbridge, waiting room, newspaper kiosk and Victorian toilets.

The residents, staff and accompanying visitors from the home also took part in a dementia friends session and activities suited to those with the condition.

They listened to 1950s and 60s music while looking at flashcards, foods and other products from the era, before making their own greetings cards.

Lena Evenden, who lives at The Beeches Care Home, said: “I had a gorgeous day out and I really enjoyed the afternoon.”

Fellow resident Brian Reed was accompanied by his daughter, Sue Burton, during the visit. He said: “I really enjoyed the museum. I would like to go again. I’m already looking forward to next time.

“I was over the moon Sue came with us. It was lovely to spend time together outside of the care home, in a different setting.”

Sue added: “It was so lovely to have the opportunity to go out with Dad and everyone else from The Beeches. The museum was a good place to go.”

Jessica Roth, activities coordinator at The Beeches Care Home, said: “It was a lovely afternoon. It was nice to get the residents out to a different setting.

“The museum itself was very wheelchair friendly and the staff were more than happy to help. I will definitely be taking a few more residents back to the museum in the near future.”