A DUKINFIELD care home resident has fulfilled his wish of getting back into the swimming pool after a 20-year absence.
Kevin Powers took a trip out to watch his 10-year-old grandson Ted swim at the local Swimming Gala.
The 78-year-old returned to The Beeches care home, where he has been living since October 2023, and told everyone how much he had enjoyed it.
A keen swimmer during his younger years, Kevin expressed how much he would love to go swimming again.
So Val Ellams, the home administrator at The Beeches, contacted the Tameside Wellness Centre in Denton and visited the facility in a bid to organise Kevin’s wish.
Val and Joanne Burnett, care assistant at The Beeches, accompanied Kevin during his swimming session – which he thoroughly enjoyed.
Speaking to Sade Smith, Wellbeing Coordinator, Kevin said: “I used to swim every night after work on my own, I didn’t have a shower at home, just a bath so I would go for a swim, use the shower and then go for my tea. I went to the local baths which were in Ashton.
“I really enjoyed going swimming again, it was after I went watching Ted in the swimming Gala and then we got talking about it with you (Sade). I enjoyed it. I just wish I was fit like I used to be!”
Val added: “Kevin was so happy when we told him we could take him, he asked his daughter to get him some swimming trunks for his birthday!”
The Beeches is an excellent care home.
Wonderful staff very caring nothing to much trouble for all the residents. They cared for my mum I can’t fault them.