Scottish care home staff make tattoo dream come true for resident

Hamilton care home resident Eileen MacIntyre, 78, has braved one of her unfulfilled lifelong fantasies of getting a tattoo – albeit temporary.

Thanks to activities coordinator Kelly O’Neill who works at Avonbridge Care Home, a temporary tattoo studio was set up at the care home offering residents the chance to ‘get inked’ after Ms MacIntyre expressed regret at never braving the tattooist chair.

Ms O’Neill said: “Eileen spotted some of our team’s tattoos and was asking what they meant and if they had hurt. After a long conversation with some of the more colourful carers she admitted she’d always wanted one but had been too scared.

“Over a few different chats, she told me she wanted something that reminded her of her children and grandchildren.

"We settled on a Tinkerbell fairy design, which reminded her of enjoying Disney films with them when they were young. It’s also a bit of a nod to never growing up and always having fun."

Ms O’Neill got in touch with the team at Cherry Pie Tattoo and Piercing via Facebook who jumped at the opportunity to create a temporary transfer to make Ms MacIntyre's wish come true.

The team at the home set up a board of designs and an ‘Avonbridge Tattoo Studio’ sign, before surprising her with her custom design.

Ms MacIntyre said: “I was really surprised when I walked into the room to see that Kelly and the team had set up a corner to be like our very own tattoo shop.

“I did get a little bit emotional when she said she had done it all for me and had even worked with a proper tattoo artist to make a temporary design for me.”

Although no one went under the needle this time for a permanent tattoo, Ms MacIntyre is considering it as she loves her temporary tattoo so much.

“She really listened to me and captured exactly what we had talked about. Every time I see it, I think of my family, which is what it’s all about – I might have to look into getting a proper one now,” says Ms MacIntyre.

Ms O’Neill added: “The tattoo parlour gained a lot of interest, and lots of residents and staff got involved. It’s amazing how much fun we had with some simple stick-on tattoos. It sparked a lot of conversation with residents telling us about their own tattoos, and memories of friends and family’s tattoos and what they meant.”

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