96-year-old Sylvia Hallet, one of our residents at Crouched Friars care home in Colchester had the amazing opportunity of meeting her favourite singer Sir Tom Jones. This was possible with the help of Essex-based charity FaNs network.
It was Sylvia’s lifelong dream to see Tom Jones live. She had the chance to do so at the age of 96, and what’s more – she even got VIP access to his show and had a chat with her idol!
Her story has reached thousands and has even featured on big news channels like BBC.
Slyvia’s experience:
Sylvia, alongside care home activities coordinator Yvonne, deputy manager Lyn and FaNs organiser Tony, was granted exclusive access to the show. This was complete with VIP treatment, access to the VIP area, and accessible viewing. All of this arranged by Giles Cooper and the rest of the FaNs team.
Sylvia had the ‘best night ever’ and made ‘memories to last a lifetime.’
She said: “Tom Jones has been my favourite singer since the late 60s. I can’t believe I had the opportunity to meet him and watch him live! It was a surreal, once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will always cherish.”
Sylvia had a wonderful time thanks to the team at FaNs. Earlier in the year, they helped another Crouched Friars resident, Bernie, fulfil her wish of flying a plane.
Crouched Friars’ Dignity Action Day initiative:
Paulina, our home manager at Crouched Friars, has been helping residents’ wishes come true all year as part of her Dignity Action Day initiative.
Along with her team, Paulina has fulfilled wishes from first flights to dance lessons and getting fish and chips. She is thrilled that Sylvia’s wish has come true. She said: “Im still trying to get my head around it. I can’t believe Sylvia has been given this incredible opportunity.
“When we started granting wishes, we never thought something so brilliant could come out of it. We are all overjoyed for Sylvia and are loving hearing all the stories from the big day.”
We are on a mission to make more wishes come true for other residents at Crouched Friars as part of our Dignity Action Day promise. And with the support of local charities, we hope we can make big things happen!
If you would like to know more about our home, please call us at 01206 572647 and a friendly member of our team will be happy to speak with you!