Basil, who is 87 years old, had been living independently until he had a fall last year and was admitted to hospital. Having overcome so much in his life, Basil wasn’t going to let a health set back stop him.

Basil was born and raised in Yorkshire as an only child, and in his own words, he was a very loved, and even a little bit spoilt as a child. When Basil was three years old, he was bitten by a dog and was taken to hospital for a check-up where not only did they assess the dog bite, but they also diagnosed Basil with a heart murmur. Despite the heart murmur Basil was able to live a healthy and happy childhood.

In 1955 when Basil turned 21, he enrolled in National Service and went into the RAF. Basil was very concerned that his heart murmur may holt his plans. Unbelievably, the doctor who was completing the medical examinations was the same doctor who had seen Basil over the years to check on his heart murmur! The doctor was able to verify that Basil was fit and well and his journey in the RAF began, where he went on to spend two years in Germany. Basil met some amazing people in the RAF, many of whom went on to become lifelong friends.

After leaving the RAF Basil returned to his career in the building trade at the family business but often visited the friends he met during his time in the RAF, including friends in Gloucestershire. Basil first visited the Forest of Dean in 1957 and fell in love with the place. Basil then visited many times over the years before decided to move to the area in 1978 when he sadly lost his parents. Basil moved to a cottage in Wyebrook and continued his career in the building trade.

As Basil got older, he decided to take things a little slower, but he was still very independent, fit and well, and living on his own. In the summer of 2020 Basil collapsed at home and he was admitted to hospital. Basil was very unwell, and the hospital found him to have multiple ailments. After a number of weeks in hospital the doctors = broke the news that there wasn’t any more they could do for Basil and that he should move to a nursing home for palliative care.

Luckily, Basil moved to Rodley House in Lydney where the team and their fantastic 24-hour care nursed Basil back to health. The nurses and the care team sat with Basil, turned him regularly, made sure he was eating and showed him such warmth and care that he slowly started to improve.

Over the next few weeks when Basil started to get better, not worse, the care team and his loved ones then realised that this might not be the end for Basil and that he may recover. Basil’s friends were able to video call him and they could not believe how well Basil was, he was even sitting up in bed, eating and drinking.

Basil improved so much over the following weeks and months that he no longer required nursing care and moved to the residential household. Basil loves living at Rodley House; he enjoys the company but most of all it’s the compassion shown to him by the whole team.

Basil said: “The team here saved my life. They have shown me so much love and compassion and I can’t believe I’m still here today. I love spending time in the garden, they have beautiful grounds. I can’t thank the team here enough.”

Over a year later and Basil is still doing really well. He is now up and on his feet, he enjoys walks around the garden, the activities within the home and visits with his loved ones.