Care home staff help resident visit mum's grave for first time in 43 years

A care home resident has paid tribute to staff after they helped him to pay respects to his late mother’s grave.

Seventy-year-old Derek Morgan told staff how distressed he was by not being able to pay tribute to his mother, and how he missed his childhood home.

The Carlton Court Care Home resident grew up in Northern Ireland and moved to London in 1973 but has never been able to visit his mother’s grave due to the distance and cost of travel.

Steven Millar, Carlton Court wellbeing lead in Barnet decided something had to be done. Mr Millar said: “When I heard Derek’s story, I knew we had to do something and I’m really happy we pulled it off.”

Mr Millar immediately booked Mr Morgan a return flight to Belfast with the help from Carlton Court's nurse Dee Osbourne.

'You can really see the change in Derek now. He’s so much happier and always smiling'

Upon arrival, Mr Morgan was taken to get his mother’s favourite flowers, before visiting the grave. Respects were then paid to his parents Lilly and Frazier.

Derek Morgan was then taken to his old local pub where he was reunited with his brother Paul. They reminisced about their childhood over a pint.

Mr Millar said: “It was so nice to see him reconnect with his brother and hear their stories about growing up in Belfast. Derek and his brother now talk more regularly, and you can really see the change in Derek now. He’s so much happier and always smiling. Thanks to all the staff at Carlton Court for helping us make his dream come true”.

The trip ended with an emotional visit to the pensioner's childhood home, where he was given a selection of photos of his mother and siblings to place in his room at Carlton Court Care Home.

'My mum lives on and I can visit her everyday'

When Mr Morgan arrived back at Carlton Court, Ms Osbourne helped plant flowers in the care home’s garden as a permanent memorial to his mother.

Mr Morgan said: “Not being able to visit my mum’s grave was one of my biggest regrets. I’m so grateful to Steven, Dee and everyone at Carlton Court for helping me change this. It was an emotional day, but also made me very happy to see my old home and finally catch-up with my brother.

"Planting the flowers in the garden was such a nice touch. It’s as though my mum lives on and I can visit her everyday.”

Carlton Court is part of the TLC Care group which provides specialist nursing and residential care homes in London, Hertfordshire, Surrey and Cambridge.

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