Bobby-Anne waves a magic wand to grant wishes from the tree at Ashley Gardens

Granting residents’ wishes is the aim of a new wish tree at Ashley Gardens care centre in Maidstone, Kent.

So far Activity Co-ordinator Bobby-Anne Watson has been able to wave her magic wand and grant three wishes – fresh cream chocolate eclairs for everyone, a walk around out in the garden and a barbershop quartet rendition for a music lover.

So how did the idea come about?

“It was really an idea which came from our visiting chaplain from St Martin’s Church who comes to see us every six weeks or so,” said Bobby-Anne.

“We get every resident who wants to to write a wish for the tree and the chaplain takes them away with her every visit – they are replaced on the tree with a little angel, and the wishes are then prayed for in church.

“It helps our residents to think about how they are feeling and what they might want and certainly starts of some lovely conversations. Some wishes are quite easy to make come true, others will take a bit more work and planning.”

Ashley Gardens provides nursing and respite care, and care to people living with dementia. It is a friendly and welcoming home run by a team of committed, compassionate and caring staff who are dedicated to ensuring every resident gets the most out of their experience.

The home is part of the Healthcare Homes family of 48 care homes across the East and South of the country. Healthcare Homes has been named as one of the Top 20 care home providers in the UK by independent review website carehome.co.uk

The Top 20 features the companies who are the most highly rated by the people receiving care, their friends and families. Healthcare Homes is extremely proud of its track record having featured in the awards every year since 2016.

For more information about the home see our website www.healthcarehomes.co.uk/ashley-gardens

Pip Rich