In support of this year’s International Day of Older Persons, the care team at New Copford Place, the Colchester-based residential care home, has demonstrated its commitment to the residents by making long held dreams a reality.
“All our meaningful activities are designed to meet, and exceed, the residents individual needs,” said Daniel Sabau, the Registered Manager at New Copford Place. “All the care team make it a priority to get to know each resident on a deeper level, finding out their favourite interests, hobbies and pastimes to ensure all our activities are tailored to what they want to do – when they want to do it.”
During one of the care home’s regular reminiscing sessions, Chelsey Leather, New Copford Place’s Activities Coordinator, discovered that four residents – Pauline Wilkinson, Pam Skipp, Sylvia Edwards and Pat Linscott – were life-long, devoted Tom Jones fans. “We were all chatting about our favourite songs and singers when the ladies all said their absolutely favourite of all time was the one and only, Tom Jones,” continued Chelsey. “None of them had ever seen Mr Jones perform live, so the seed was planted and I just knew I had to make their dreams come true.”
Chelsey wasted no time and, after doing some research, found out that Tom Jones was performing at Colchester Castle Park. “I contacted the organisers who could not have been more helpful. They gave us reduced entry tickets and disabled access for the wheelchairs. When I told the ladies, they couldn’t believe it, they were so happy. It didn’t take long for them to break into a lovely rendition of ‘What’s New Pussycat?’ which left them all in fits of giggles.”
In the lead up to the concert, Chelsey found out just how much Pauline, Sylvia, Pam and Pat knew about Mr Jones. “Their knowledge about Tom Jones is off the chart – they really are his Number One Fans,” continued Chelsey. “For a few weeks before the big event, every conversation was of ‘All Things Tom’. I had no idea that Tom Jones and Elvis Prestley were good friends. Pauline said that they met at the Paramount stage, where Elvis was filming the movie Paradise, Hawaiian Style and became good friends and spent time together in Las Vegas. Pauline added that Elvis thought Tom was the greatest singer in the world and would sometimes walk out on stage when Tom was performing and say exactly that to the audience.”
However, the ladies’ Tom Trivia didn’t stop there. “Pam told me that Tom Jones has sold over 100 million records and has had – so far – 36 Top 40 Hits in the UK and 19 in the US. Sylvia impressed me too by saying that he sung the theme song to the James Bond film Thunderball back in 1965, but Pat stole the show for me by adding that one of his number one songs was a duet of ‘Islands In The Stream’ with actors Ruth Jones and Rob Brydon, in their characters from the show ‘Gavin & Stacey’ TV series for Comic Relief and, even more that the song featured Robin Gibb, who was a co-writer of the original song, as a backing singer. They absolutely amazed me – and actually amaze me every day.”
On the evening of the concert, Chelsey arranged for the New Copford Place mini bus to take the ladies and a few of the care team who were accompanying them to Colchester Castle Park. “The organisers had arranged for us to be able to park right outside the entrance, so getting into the Castle Park was totally hassle free.”
Once inside, Pauline, Pam, Sylvia and Pat made sure they had the perfect viewpoint to see their hero perform. Pauline also made sure she got to know the Security Team who were stationed nearby as she needed a ‘proper’ dance partner to cut a rug with during the show.
Sylvia, Pauline, Pat and Pam didn’t stop singing along with Tom. “He sang all my favourites,” said 90-year-old Sylvia. “Delilah, It’s Not Unusual, Mama Told Me and so many more, it was amazing.” “He’s a real Showman and didn’t disappoint us,” added Pauline. “I’ve been to concerts before, but this was definitely the best one without a doubt.”
“Everyone had an absolutely fantastic night and Pauline kept to her word and danced not only her own socks off, but mine as well,” added Chelsey.
“The Tom Jones concert was a huge success with the residents. Chelsey’s compassion and dedication to all the residents always goes above and beyond. She is not only their Activities Coordinator, but also their friend who listens, understands and gives 100% to make sure they live life to the full, every day,” said Daniel.
“Since the concert and hearing about it from the ladies, all the residents are keen to go to a concert and have a boogie. I’m now busy finding out what’s coming up and planning the next musical adventure. Who knows, it could be Take That, The Rolling Stones, Neil Diamond or even Billy Joel – the list is endless. I’ll have to see who the residents fancy seeing next,” concluded Chelsey.
Find out more about New Copford Place care home by calling 01206 210 397 or emailing enquiries@fote.org.uk.