A Bristol pensioner wanted nothing more than to have a day back at her primary school to relive those happy years. This week Sheila Pope’s wish came true when she was taken back to Fonthill Primary Academy - 75 years after she had left.
As part of their 'wishing tree' initiative, the We Care UK team at Trymview Hall care home in Southmead Road decided to make Sheila’s wish a reality, after taking note about how often she spoke fondly about days at the primary school.
The team arranged for 85-year-old Sheila to take a tour of the school and to meet some current pupils. While she was there, Sheila spoke to the children about her own experiences of the school, while she also learned about how much things have changed over 70 odd years.
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Sheila grew up in Bristol and having started at the Fonthill Primary Academy in Southmead in the 1940s, she said her favourite subjects were maths and writing. During her visit back at the school, she even got to find her name in the original register.
Sheila said: “It was lovely to be back at my old school. It felt very familiar and brought back so many memories.”
Nicole Anderson, home manager at Trymview Hall, said: “Sheila loves to talk about her memories from her school days. So when she shared that she was interested in revisiting her old primary school, the team knew they had to make it happen.”
Nicole added that the care home’s wishing tree initiative is a way for residents to put wishes forward to let them reconnect with something from their past, or to try something completely new. This could be anything from flying on a plane to enjoying a fish and chip supper.
She said no wish was too big or too small. She added: “Our wishing tree is a great way for residents to share their dreams and interests and it’s so rewarding to make these a reality.
“Sheila had a wonderful time taking a trip down memory lane and meeting some of the current pupils, she hasn’t stopped smiling since. I’d like to extend a big thank-you to the team at Trymview Hall and Fonthill Primary Academy for a fantastic day and for making Sheila’s wish come true,” said Nicole.
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