Betty celebrates 105th birthday in style

Betty, a resident at Care South’s Wickmeads care home in Southbourne, has celebrated her milestone 105th birthday.

Betty joined the home in 2022 and was born in Birmingham in 1918. A few years later, Betty and her parents, Maud and Ivor moved to Aldershot.

As she grew up, Betty met the love of her life, Rocky Knight. Betty served as a member of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS).

Rocky and Betty married in December 1945.

Betty and Rocky had a busy married life, moving to Bournemouth in 1957, where they lived a 10-minute walk from Fisherman’s Walk beach in Southbourne. Betty, a talented seamstress, took a job at Mostyn’s in Boscombe making curtains.

Betty now lives in Wickmeads care home in Southbourne, and has three grandsons, one granddaughter and is the great-grandmother of six.

She celebrated her milestone 105th birthday at the home, starting the day with a special pamper session and spent the afternoon opening cards and presents surrounded by family, friends and fellow residents. To mark the special occasion, friend and performer Mike Sideaway helped Betty celebrate

The highs and lows of fostering

Fostering highs & lows

‘There are always highs and sometimes some really tough lows, but each one brings new rewards and new challenges.’

“There are always highs and sometimes some really tough lows, but each one brings new rewards and new challenges” low, because they are leaving you’.

The hustle and bustle of a busy household can provide so much joy and fulfilment, seeing others achieve or just sharing experiences over a heartwarming breakfast.

The hustle and bustle of a busy household can provide so much joy and fulfilment, seeing others achieve or just sharing experiences over a heart-warming breakfast. Yet, that does not mean there are no challenges involved, with any household regardless of size and make up has its own unique challenges – and that is the same for fostering households.

Yet, that does not mean there are no challenges involved, with any household regardless of size and make-up having its own unique challenges – and that is the same for fostering households. When children come into your life, whether that be short term or long term, you know as a carer that at some point it is more than likely this child may move on to a more permanent home.

Advertising feature

This is not only a difficult time for the carer, but the child must also get used to a new home, and new guardians.

That is why Footprints pay close attention to this transition, giving the support required for all individuals.

Over the last years, more special guardianships have been approved, allowing carers to look after youngsters on a more permanent basis - this is a great outcome of which Footprints are proud.

That is why Footprints pay close attention to this transition, giving the support required for all individuals. Over the last years, more special guardianships have been approved, allowing carers to look after youngsters on a more permanent basis, this is a great outcome that Footprints are proud of.

If you are up for a new challenge fostering could be your next step, but remember it does not always go swimmingly; but it promises rewards!

It can be emotional to see a youngster move on but our carers highlight that it is nice to see when they become settled and happy in a new home.

When children come into your life, whether that be short term or long term you know as a carer that, at some point, it is more than likely this child may move on to a more permanent home. It can be emotional to see a youngster move on but our carers highlight that it is nice to see when they become settled and happy in a new home. One carer notes such moment is “a high and a low together! … A high as we know we have made a difference in their lives, but a low, because they are leaving you”

This is not only a difficult time for the carer, the child must also get used to a new home, and new guardians.

One carer notes such a moment is ‘a high and a low together... a high as we know we have made a difference in their lives, but a

If you are up for a new challenge fostering could be your next step, but remember it does not always go swimmingly, but it promises rewards! That is why Footprints are the best choice for anyone that would feel content in a small supportive environment.

That is why Footprints are the best choice for anyone that would feel content in a small supportive environment.

In the next article from the series, we will be exploring what inspires our wonderful foster carers!

In the next article from the series, we will be exploring what inspires our wonderful foster carers!

Home & Garden Plumbing work fit for a King!