Popular care home resident, Lal celebrates 102nd birthday
Care home staff and residents at Wellington Vale care home in Waterlooville made popular resident, Alice Hale (known as Lal) feel ‘very special’ on her 102nd birthday, which she celebrated on 29 January.
The care home’s chefs baked a showstopper of a birthday cake, decorated with fresh fruit, flowers and gold dusted fudge pieces and the care home’s team surprised her with balloons and presents, before she went on to celebrate with her family.
Helen Cox, Home Admissions Advisor at Wellington Vale said "Lal is an incredible lady and we were all so honoured to be able to celebrate her 102nd birthday at Wellington Vale and to make her feel special. She moved into our care home when she was 100 and is known by everyone here for her positivity and kindness and, in particular, for putting new residents at ease."
Lal was born and grew up in Fratton and left school at 14 to work at Marks & Spencer as a retail assistant. She was due to be promoted to a supervisor when the war broke out and her Mum moved the family to Cosham, at the foot of Portsdown Hil, which offered a safe refuge for local families in the chalk hill bomb shelters. She married the love of her life, Victor, a few days before her 19th birthday, and they lived very happily for 75 years together, before he sadly passed away. Her family is her pride and joy – she has three children, 5 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild on its way, due in Spring.
When asked about being 102, Lal said, “It’s wonderful! It means I am spending longer with my family, and we have quality time together. I am so lucky to have the family I have, they love me so much!”
Lal has been key to making two residents, in particular, feel part of the Wellington Vale family. Sheila Bartlett and Elaine Finney moved into the care home in December on a trial basis and were apprehensive about leaving their own homes. Lal was so welcoming to both ladies that they both decided to stay on a permanent basis, and remain at the care home with their friend, Lal.
Sheila said, “Lal is a wonderful lady and has made me feel very welcome at Wellington Vale. I am forever grateful to her for telling me how happy she is at Wellington Vale and being so kind to me since my first day here. We are now friends – and I was so happy to join in her birthday celebrations.”
Wellington Vale, based on Darnel Road in Waterlooville, offers exceptional residential, dementia and respite care and has 80 large, luxurious en-suite rooms. The care home has ratings of 10 out of 10 by carehome.co.uk, an independent national reviews website for the care home sector.
Wellington Vale is part ofCinnamon Care Collection which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. For the last eight years, Cinnamon Care Collection has been named a Top 20 Care Home Group by carehome.co.uk. For further information, please visit www.cinnamoncc.com/wellingtonvale