A Gillingham care home resident’s special wish came true when he went swimming for the first time in 30 years.

Jim, who lives at Fern Brook Lodge, spoke to the care home team about his wish to go swimming as part of the home’s ‘Make a Wish’ initiative. This encourages residents to share hobbies and passions they once enjoyed, but are now unable to pursue without the home’s support. The dedicated team then brings the wish to life in a safe way to help in creating meaningful and lasting memories.

The home got in touch with Dementia Friendly Gillingham to arrange for Jim to join them in their weekly Swimming for Memories sessions at Riversmeet Leisure Centre. The sessions feature a dedicated hour for older people, including those living with dementia, and their carers or loved ones to have exclusive use of the swimming pool to enjoy swimming safely in a calm, supportive environment.

Jim said: “It was lovely being back in the water after 30 years. I was born by the sea in Poole. My grandad was a fisherman, so as a child, I used to go on his boat with him and jump overboard to swim in the sea.”
He added: “At school I used to help the other pupils learn to swim. But I’ve lived out in the countryside for so long that I wasn’t sure if I could do it. However, it all came back to me and it seems that you never forget how to swim.”

Annie Kings, a Dementia Friends Champion at Dementia Friendly Gillingham, said: “It was wonderful to see Jim get back into a swimming pool again. Our Swimming for Memories sessions are all about helping people reconnect with that wonderful feeling of weightlessness while they’re in the pool and it’s a great way to enjoy some gentle exercise.”

Deb Wiltshire, Home Manager at Fern Brook Lodge, said: “We were so pleased to help make Jim’s wish come true. Our Make a Wish initiative is about listening to residents and finding ways to make meaningful experiences happen for their enjoyment. Seeing the smile on Jim’s face after his swim was truly special for all of us.”

Fern Brook Lodge, which is part of not-for-profit charity, Care South, provides residential, respite, and dementia care. A dedicated activities team organises a daily programme of events to bring residents together to socialise and build friendships.

Fern Brook Lodge hosts its own Memory Café sessions every Thursday morning from 10am to 12pm which are supported by Dementia Friendly Gillingham for people living with dementia and their carers. There is no need to book – just drop in on the day.

For more information about the care services available, go to care-south.co.uk or call Fern Brook Lodge’s friendly team on 01747 449812.