Beechwood Grove help keep couple’s love alive after 65 years of marriage

Beechwood Grove Care Home helped 86 year old resident Shirley Davison connect with her husband Roy through an album of wedding photos on their anniversary. Shirley has been a resident at Beechwood Grove for the last two years and she was able to meet up with Roy in the garden room.

It’s the first time since they got married in 1956 that the couple haven’t been able to celebrate hand in hand. The team at Beechwood Grove made sure Shirley and Roy had as special a time as possible.

Home Manager Caroline Braime said, “Shirley and Roy are such a lovely couple. Roy would normally visit every day but coronavirus has kept them apart in recent months.

“Although they weren’t able to hold each other we were glad we had the garden room to bring them close together and celebrate such a long-lasting relationship.”

The home erected ‘Beechwood Cottage’ in June 2020 so that residents and their relatives could meet safely when coronavirus restrictions allowed. The garden room has a clear screen fitted between residents and their families with an intercom that allows them to hear each other clearly.

Roy and Shirley met in London when they were both working at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Shirley was a secretary and Roy joined the organisation in the printing department after leaving the RAF.

A photo of the premises on Piccadilly was among the collection their son Lawrence shared with his parents on their visit. Lawrence said, “Photos are the key to a conversation with Mum these days and she recognised the SMMT straight away. She could even remember the address!

“I took in their wedding album as well and we had a lovely time talking about the day.”

Roy wasn’t able to visit Shirley again on Valentine’s Day but he sent her a rose bush with a special message and photograph to his ‘Dearest Shirley’ from ‘Him Indoors.’

Lawrence continued, “Their separation has been very difficult, Dad has found it very hard. Mum isn’t great with video calls on the tablet as she struggles to hear and see clearly and we really value the staff’s efforts to keep the communication between them going in whatever way works.

“We are all looking forward to restrictions being eased but especially Dad – he just wants to be able to give Mum a hug.”

Find out more about Beechwood Grove Care Home.