Winnie, a resident at Winifred Dell, recently celebrated her 100th birthday! Team members prepared by decorating the dining room and her bedroom door with birthday banners and balloons to surprise her in the morning.
As families and friends aren't currently permitted to visit, team members have been supporting video call sessions with loved ones so they can send their wishes and still be a part of birthday celebrations. This has been really successful and residents across the group have enjoyed learning and using this technology to keep in touch with loved ones, especially when celebrating life milestones.
Winnie received many calls from her nearest and dearest wishing her a happy birthday. Seeing their smiling faces on the screen as they reconnected and shared kind words was lovely to watch. They also spent some time catching up and sharing what they've been up to in the last few weeks.
After some family time in the morning, team members had also organised for a virtual and personalised entertainment session for her. This was recorded and delivered to the home in advance so she could watch it safely with her friends on the day.
This is an epic milestone for Winnie and she was very proud to receive a telegram from the Queen, wishing her a happy 100th and best wishes for the future. Winnie was really happy to receive this and has proudly kept it on display in her room.
Winnie has had a really interesting life and on her 100th birthday, shared some stories with us about her younger years.
Winnie worked in an ammunition factory when she was 21 and was known to most people at "Auntie win". She worked during the war making furniture for Lebus and was still there 20 years later! Her knitting, sewing and needlework skills meant she was brilliant at her job and enjoyed challenging these in her spare time too by regularly making baby clothes for friends.
Now living at Winifred Dell, Winnie is very popular, has two Nieces that adore her and enjoys her life at the home.
We hope you had a brilliant birthday, here's to bigger celebrations next year!