Celebrates Residents’ Remarkable Life Stories Through Meaningful Reminiscence Activity
Residents at Romford Care Home have been reflecting on the fascinating careers that shaped their lives as part of a meaningful reminiscence activity designed to celebrate identity, encourage conversation and strengthen relationships.
The initiative, created by the home’s award-winning Lifestyle Assistant, Susie, invited residents to share the professions. Armed with simple whiteboards bearing the words “I was once…”, residents proudly revealed careers.
Among those who shared their stories was Mary, who worked as a typist at the Royal Albert Docks earning £4.50 a week, Joan, who travelled overseas as a courier for Saga, Chris, who spent many years as a taxi driver across North East London, Leslie, a lorry driver, Rita, who worked in a factory for 15 shillings a week, Terry, who worked as a docker at London and Tilbury Docks, and John, who proudly served as a Jamaican soldier.
Each story opened the door to conversations about working life, changing times, wages, family memories and personal achievements, giving residents the opportunity to reflect with pride while allowing colleagues and fellow residents to learn more about the incredible lives that have shaped the home’s community.
The activity forms part of Romford Care Home’s commitment to delivering meaningful, person-centred engagement, recognising that understanding an individual’s life story is fundamental to providing exceptional care.
Tracy Smith, Customer Relations Manager, added: “One of the things that makes Romford Care Home so special is taking the time to understand who our residents are, not just who they are today, but the incredible journeys that have brought them here. Susie’s activity was a wonderful example of person-centred care in action, celebrating identity, promoting reminiscence and creating genuine connections between residents and our team.”
Award-winning Lifestyle Assistant Susie regularly develops creative engagement activities that encourage conversation, independence and wellbeing, helping residents continue to feel valued, connected and proud of their life stories.
Maddie Ilie, General Manager at Romford Care Home, said: “Every resident has lived a unique and inspiring life, and activities like this help us celebrate and honour the resident’s life stories. Listening to residents share their careers and experiences creates meaningful conversations, strengthens relationships and reminds us that every individual has a lifetime of achievements that deserve to be recognised.”
At Romford Care Home, every story matters, because every resident has a lifetime of experiences that continue to inspire those around them.
