At Lake House care home, life doesn’t stop once someone moves into a care home - personal passions and lifelong interests continue to shape meaningful experiences. This was exemplified recently when residents Henry and Walter, their families and friends enjoyed a special fishing trip to Nell Bridge Fishery in Banbury as part of the home’s Residents’ Wishes initiative.

Henry, a lifelong fisherman, had often shared how much he missed being out by the water. The team noted his wish to fish again and prioritised it as a wellbeing goal. Working closely with the residents and families, the Lake House team organised a day that reflected Henry and Walter’s personal interests - ensuring the experience was both memorable and meaningful.
“I never thought I’d get to do this again,” said Henry, reflecting on the outing. “It’s brought back so many memories, and I feel so lucky to have experienced it one more time.”

Accompanied by Activities Co-ordinator Jo Dixon, Night Carer Wendy - who generously joined on her day off - and family members, the group enjoyed a true day out. Equipped with a picnic, camping chairs, and fishing gear - including some of Henry’s treasured tackle from years past - they settled in for a relaxing yet lively outing. A friendly “team challenge” added to the fun, with Henry proudly landing the biggest catch of the day.
For the care team, the reward was seeing Henry’s joy come to life. “Seeing Henry light up like that made it all worth it,” said Wendy. “Moments like these remind us why we do what we do.”

Fellow anglers, including a young boy who shared his bait, and other visitors to the fishery all remarked on seeing Henry and Walter’s wish come to life.
For Activities Co-ordinator Jo Dixon, this day captured the heart of what Lake House strives to achieve. “This is exactly what meaningful activity is about: listening to people’s stories and helping them feel seen, valued, and celebrated,” she said.
Back at Lake House, Henry continues to engage with his passion for fishing, supported by staff who watch fishing programmes with him and share their own memories from time spent by the water.

Lake House’s Residents’ Wishes initiative continues to show that later life is full of possibilities, with staff committed to honouring the unique interests and passions that bring joy and purpose to every resident’s day.