A RESIDENT at Rossetti House care home in Frome recently had her wish to return to horse riding fulfilled through the home's Wishing Tree initiative.

When the team at Care UK’s Rossetti House on Welshmill Lane discovered that 85-year-old Nora Wilkins, a passionate horse rider in her youth, wanted to get back in the saddle, they were eager to help make that happen.

Nora began riding at the age of four and after developing a passion for horses, she spent over 60 years riding in fields around her home and even in races, with one memorable horse called Teddy. Nora entered the Corsley Show with Teddy, and they won a number of trophies for showjumping and his general presentation.

To help Nora fulfil her wish, the team organised a visit to White Horse Equestrian Centre in Westbury, where she was able to ride at the indoor school.

Nora said: “I was a little nervous and shy to begin with. Horses know whether they like you or not and they didn’t know me yet. When I got on the horse though, it was so wonderful, I thought I was in heaven, even if I had a sore bottom the next day. When I am with horses they just seem to know me, they come up and use their soft mouths to speak in my ear, I have lost many earrings that way.”

The visit was part of the home’s Wishing Tree initiative, which encourages residents to put wishes forward, allowing them to reconnect with a past hobby or try something completely new – from flying a plane to enjoying a fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small.

Phil Vale, general manager at Rossetti House, said: “Nora loves to talk about the years she spent riding when she was younger, so when she shared that she would love to get back in the saddle, the team knew they had to make it happen.”

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Rossetti House incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The building has been designed to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.

For more information on Rossetti House, please call Home Admissions Advisor, Helen Cross on 01373 887988, email [email protected] visit:careuk.com/rossetti-house