At Bernard Sunley, the Woking-based residential, nursing and dementia care home, run by charity, Friends of the Elderly, the care team has been helping resident, Gillian Smith, celebrate her 88th Birthday by throwing her a special flower arranging party she enjoyed with her family and care home friends.
Giliian, who was born and raised in Guildford, Surrey, made Bernard Sunley her home in July 2024. “I decided the care home was the perfect place for me as the care team arranges for weekly Church Services to be held at the home and, as a Christian, that was, and is, extremely important to me. I’m so glad I chose Bernard Sunley as I’m very happy living here,” said Gillian.
Growing up in the leafy, historic Surrey market town, Giliian and her friends spent a lot of time outside exploring the surrounding countryside. “I have vivid memories of my school friends and I, packing up our knapsacks with picnic food and going exploring across the local fields. I think that’s where my love of flowers and gardening stems from,” continued Gillian. “We always had adventures and made our own entertainment, playing Hopscotch or other active games, they were wonderful times. As we got older, we also enjoyed going dancing every Friday night too.”
Gillian loved growing up in Guildford. “It was, and still is, a lovely place,” added Gillian. “It’s full of history and home to Guildford Castle, the only royal castle every to have been built in Surrey. It was erected shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066 on the orders of William the Conqueror, and it’s even noted as having just 900 habitants in the 1086 Domesday Book.”
After leaving school, Gillian became a Bookkeeper and worked at Guildford’s Friary Meux Brewery. “I enjoyed my job immensely. The brewery produced traditional British ales and beers. Audit Ale and a pale ale called Treble Gold were probably the most famous, but there were also Porters and Stouts as well,” said Gillian.
“Gillian has a wonderful lady who very caring and always trying to help the other residents,” continued Andy Cumper, the Registered Manager at Bernard Sunley. “She takes part in almost all of our activities, but is exceptionally fond of Boules, gardening and flower arranging and is very creative with her floral displays; they really are quite stunning.”
“I also enjoy the different entertainers and singers who visit us at Bernard Sunley, and I thoroughly enjoy taking part in the many community events that are held here. Each event is different, but each one is fun, lively and me and the other residents always have a wonderful time,” added Gillian.
“Gillian is a delightful lady who gets involved and participates in most of the meaningful activities I host at the care home,” added Monika Ahmed, one of the Activities Coordinators at Bernard Sunley. “Knowing Gillian’s favourite pastime is flower arranging, we all agreed that hosting a surprise flower arranging birthday party for her would be ‘bunches’ of fun.”
Gillian was joined by her family and care home friends and wasted no time in creating beautiful flower arrangements and enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea complete with a celebratory birthday cake. “My birthday party was perfect, I had an absolutely beautiful day – you could say I have a ‘Blooming’ marvellous time,” said Gillian.
“I do love and enjoy living at Bernard Sunley, I’ve made lots of friends and there’s always something taking place or an activity for us to join in with – and the food is so yummy and flavoursome too,” said Gillian. “Each meal is delicious and there’s so much choice, but I’d have to say my favourite has to be Chef’s roast dinners, they are really scrumptious – and my birthday cake was outstanding.
“Everyone made me feel so special on my birthday, which was so nice. It was a smashing day, and I feel very honoured and lucky that the care team organised such a treat for me, my family and care home friends. I really am a very lucky lady,” concluded Gillian.
