At our care home in Cambridgeshire we are happy to have been able to celebrate the birthday of one of our beloved residents. Gladys Kightly turned 107 on 25th October and she celebrated her birthday together with her family and some of our team members on the Askham grounds.
To find out how we celebrated Gladys’ birthday, continue reading:
Gladys Kightly – the eldest resident in our care home
Gladys Kightly is our eldest resident residing in Askham Hall, one of our homes specialised in palliative care. She turned 107 on 25th October and we were truly happy to be able to celebrate together with her and her family this special day.
Born in 1916, Gladys has always been a Cambridgeshire lady, living all her life in the area where she has been able to witness many historical changes. Talking about her mum, Susan Kightly, one of her two daughters, says: “She’s such a wonderful lady, she is always so positive. Every time I go to see her at Askham and I ask her how she feels she tells me that she’s better than yesterday. She has always been so cheerful and we’re so lucky as a family to have her.”
Thinking of the many highlights of her mum’s life, Susan says that Gladys has always been a true royalist. She was really touched by the moment when the Askham team took her together with other residents to see the Queen’s flowers at Sandringham where she was able to personally meet Princess Kate. She is also very proud to have been able to receive multiple cards from the royal family, both from Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II but also from Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Special visit ahead of her birthday
In a truly special moment ahead of her birthday, Gladys received the visit of Steve Barclay, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care at that time, who came on the Askham grounds to say “Happy Birthday” in person. This visit underscored the importance of recognising and honouring the incredible lives of individuals like Gladys, who have contributed so much to their communities and society as a whole.
Flowers, gifts, cards and a cake on Gladys’ birthday
On the special day, Gladys celebrated together with her two daughters, Susan and Janet, as well as many Askham team members who interact with her on a daily basis. She received many flowers, gifts, cards and, of course, a cake. A special moment was dedicated to Gladys, as a local young artist called Ronan Williams came to sing for the residents and also interpreted “Happy Birthday” especially for her.
Talking about this milestone for the Askham community, Esther Johnson, the Head of Care and Nursing at Askham Village Community, says: “We are so honoured to have been part of this wonderful story for over 7 years now. Gladys is such a kind person and a gentle soul to work with. The community value is one of our constants and being able to celebrate this occasion with this lovely family is a true honour for all of us. This is a moment we will cherish forever and we thank Gladys and her family for trusting us.”
This celebration is a testament to the meaningful connections and experiences created inside Askham. All the team members and residents of Askham would like to extend their warmest wishes of good health to Gladys and her family.
At Askham Village Community, we are committed to provide the best possible care to our residents by considering their individual needs. For us their happiness and wellbeing are paramount and, as a consequence, we work with specialised and compassionate staff to make sure we maintain the highest standards of care. Askham has even received the title of “Most Compassionate Care Home in Eastern England” in August this year.
At our care home and rehab centre in Cambridgeshire, individuals can expect a personal experience within a compassionate environment. Whether you’re visiting for the day, receiving long-term or respite care, or need specialist rehabilitation care, we endeavour to deliver the very best care possible.
At Askham Village Community, we’re always welcoming new staff into our growing community. For further information, please contact 01354 740269 or visit our website.