At Primrose Croft Care Home, meaningful moments are just as important as the care provided every day. Through the home's "Make a Wish" programme, residents are encouraged to share personal wishes that reflect the people, places and experiences that matter most to them.
For Alan, his wish was simple: to play a game of snooker.
During a conversation with the Home Manager, Alan began reminiscing about his working life and spoke fondly of a former colleague, Joe Perry, who had once worked for him. Alan recalled how, after finishing work, the pair would often spend time together at their local snooker club. Although he hadn't seen Joe in more than 40 years, the memories remained as vivid as ever.
What began as a wish to play snooker soon became an opportunity to reconnect with a treasured friendship.
With Alan's full involvement and consent, the team at Primrose Croft set about making his wish a reality. After researching Joe's whereabouts, they discovered he now runs a snooker club in Chatteris. When contacted, Joe was delighted to hear from the team and immediately agreed to meet Alan.
Accompanied by a member of the care team, Alan travelled to the snooker club, where he and Joe shared an emotional reunion after more than four decades apart.
Although the original wish had been to play snooker, it quickly became clear that the game itself was no longer the most important part of the day. Instead, Alan and Joe spent hours catching up, sharing stories, reminiscing about old times and enjoying each other's company. The laughter, conversation and memories made the visit truly unforgettable.
When Alan returned to Primrose Croft, he was visibly emotional. Reflecting on the experience, he told the Home Manager it had been "the best day of my life."
The reunion had a lasting impact that extended well beyond the visit itself. Alan's wellbeing was enhanced, his sense of identity and personal history reaffirmed, and the team gained an even deeper understanding of the life he had lived before moving into Primrose Croft.





