Residents at Country Court Care and Nursing Homes have been enjoying a Staycation-themed month during July. They have had the opportunity to get involved with holiday-themed activities and international-themed days, complete with special celebration menus. People were encouraged to share their holiday memories and stories about their travels. Some people never owned a passport, but others travelled the world, everyone had some wonderful stories to share. Families could join in, sharing photos to support reminiscing, with many sending in some wonderful memories of trips with their loved ones.
Chris is one of our most well-travelled residents. He lives at Eccleshare Court Care & Nursing Home in Lincoln and has seen snow leopards in Asia, been across the Indian subcontinent and scaled glaciers. Chris shared some of his experiences with our Wellbeing team at Eccleshare Court.
My name is Christopher Banks, and I was born on the 16th of July 1939. I was born at home in my mother’s house in Sundridge, Kent to my parents Louisa and James Banks. I have lived in Sundridge, Kent for all my life, so I have a true Kentish accent!
I went to Sundridge Primary School, then onto Churchill Secondary School, Westham, Kent. I left school at sixteen years old to become an apprentice mechanic, which ended all too soon as it was too much pressure for me. I then went on to do gardening work for the council.
My last job was as a landscape gardener for Smarts Garden Centre. After retiring, I volunteered as a mentor to adults with disabilities in a woodwork class at Valance School in Westham.
I have been very lucky and travelled to some wonderful parts of the world with my family, Morocco, Cyprus, Crete, Norway, India, Pakistan, even trekking in Pakistan and climbing the Baltoro Glacier!
I have met some remarkable people and seen many cultures on my travels. I would like to share some of the photographs that were taken of me on my holidays. Especially my claim to fame, climbing the glaciers in the Mountains!
Many of Chris’ travels were with his family, his daughter Lucy added. “Dad has trekked on Mount Everest, K2, Broad peak, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu in Asia. Manaslu, Mera Peak and Annapurna in Nepal, Mount McKinley and the Atlas Mountains. He also stayed on a ranch in Patagonia. Not forgetting his trip to Antarctica and monitoring snow leopards in Asia. Dad's dream was to view the seven highest peaks of the world”.
“Dad and I also travelled by train from Calcutta to Amristar, which was quite an experience. We stopped off on the way at Bodh Gaya, Varanasi, Agra, Delhi, Shimla and Amristar.”
Staycation month has been a great talking point for residents and staff. Reminiscing is proven to be beneficial, especially for residents living with dementia. Talking about people’s life experiences helps build connections between residents and staff and is a wonderful way for people to enjoy shared experiences.
To find out more about life at Eccleshare Court Care and Nursing Home, contact our Home Manager Susannah Barker-Milan on 01522 695 458 or email ecclesharecourt@countrycourtcare.com.
