Best friends celebrate valentine’s day at cheshire care home

Residents at Brookview Bupa Care Home celebrated 14th February together at the home’s annual Valentine’s Day party.

Two residents, Margaret Beswick and Ann Wilshaw, toasted their friendship this Valentine’s Day with a glass of bubbles, as they believe platonic relationships should be celebrated as much as romantic relationships.

Margaret, 93, and Ann, 88, met at Brookview over breakfast in 2022. The pair immediately hit it off and have since built a special bond. Margaret and Ann enjoy laughing together, talking, and people watching over a cup of tea, and often complete puzzles together. Residents and staff at Brookview have loved watching Margaret and Ann’s friendship blossom and admiring their banter and endless conversation.

Home Manager at Brookview, Sharon Helliwell-Short, commented: “It’s lovely to see our residents create meaningful friendships within the home, watching them connect through their life stories and create new memories is beautiful. Margaret and Ann spend a lot of time together, they enjoy each other’s company and have similar interests and values.

“At the Valentine’s Day party, we celebrate friendships in our home because we have so many residents who have bonded as friends and understand how valuable these relationships are. Margaret and Ann were especially looking forward to celebrating with a glass of bubbles.”

When asked their advice on what makes a good friend, Margaret answered: “We listen to each other and don’t make judgements. We give each other compliments and make each other laugh, a lot!”

Margaret worked as a bookkeeper before she married her husband Leonard, who was a builder. She then went on to have children and worked in a china shop for many years.

Ann was a reserve in the Women’s Royal Naval Service and worked in a printing works as a machine operator.

Ann said: “I worked on the biggest machines at the printing works. I loved my job and sometimes miss it. It was where I met my husband – I was there for an interview and fell going up the step, straight on to him! It is funny now looking back, I ended up marrying him.”

Brookview Bupa Care Home is situated in Alderley Edge, Cheshire and welcomes residents in need of nursing or residential care including those living with Parkinson’s. For further information, please visit https://www.bupa.co.uk/care-services