100 year old Pearl Hardie launched our new minibus, named Pearl, at Guild Care’s first Open Day on Tuesday 13 September.
Pearl has been a regular service user at Methold House, Worthing for 15 years since moving down to Durrington at the grand age of 84 to be closer to her family.
At the launch ceremony Chief Executive Suzanne Millard said ‘The transport service is a vital link for many of our service users and has been running since the 1960s. The work of the department continues to change as many of our passengers become older and frailer with limited mobility and a variety of walking aids. The service operates thanks to the goodwill of our fantastic volunteers, this has always been a very special service but I know from first hand experience, it’s not without its challenges! I would like to take this opportunity to thank Caroline for her commitment for the last 10 years initially as a volunteer and now as Transport Manager.She supports a large and varied team who provide an efficient and consistent service making a huge difference to the day to day lives of many older people in Worthing.’The new minibus was funded by SEIF, the Social Enterprise Investment Fund set up with Government funds. Pearl is a frequent passenger on the bus which brings older people to the Healthy Living Centre for lunches, games, exercises, wellbeing therapies, entertainment and social activities. Pearl said ‘My sight is so bad, I can’t even see to pour a cup of tea safely and I can’t have a bath at home. If I couldn’t come here, I don’t know what I’d do. I certainly wouldn’t be as independent and it means so much to be able to stay in my own home. If I had to stay in all the time, I don’t think I would cope. Everyone is wonderful here, they treat me so well.’
Open Day events included two very well received talks on ‘Financing Care’ and ‘Lasting Power of Attorney’ given by Tom Scott of the Care Fees Advice Agency and Patricia Woolgar, a partner at Thomas Eggar. Linfield, Caer Gwent, Irene House and Ashmount care homes with nursing gave tours and offered refreshments. Julia Johnson, Communications Manager said ‘It was a very successful day and Guild Care’s first Open Day across our services. We are pleased to have helped carers and people with dementia, given couples advice on care and financing, and opened doors to new service users who I am sure will become regulars like Pearl.’