Wendy’s Story: A Former Teacher Now Living at Heanton Nursing Home

With National Teachers’ Day approaching in early May, it feels especially fitting to celebrate Wendy, a teacher whose life was shaped by language, learning and a deep belief in helping others grow.

Wendy spent her entire working life in secondary schools as a French teacher. Over the years she grew in her career, becoming Head of Languages and later Deputy Head, all while continuing to teach the subject she loved most. In the evenings she taught A-Level French, exploring French literature with her students.

French was her true speciality. She spoke it fluently, though she could also step in to teach Spanish and German when needed. She was described as a strict but fair, the kind of teacher who expected the best but always believed her students could achieve it.

Many of those lessons extended far beyond the classroom walls. Wendy was always happy to join the French exchanges, travelling with her students to Argences and exploring towns across the Normandy region. These trips suited her perfectly, as history is also a passion of hers.

On many of those trips she was accompanied by her lifelong friend and colleague, Jenny.

Jenny had travelled to France with the school many times, even though she had never taken French as a GCSE. One day Wendy simply said to her, “Well, you keep coming to France, you really should have your GCSE.”

So, Wendy taught her.

With Wendy’s guidance, Jenny went on to achieve an A*. It was a small but perfect example of the kind of teacher Wendy was. Someone who quietly believes people are capable of more than they think.

Today Wendy lives with Alzheimer’s at Heanton Nursing Home. The condition may change many things, but her identity remains beautifully clear.

At Heanton, there is a belief that life doesn’t end when someone moves into care, it carries on. The focus is on understanding the person behind the diagnosis, so that even as things change, there is still meaning, familiarity and a sense of home in the everyday.

You might find her marking a set of mock papers the team have printed for her, carefully looking through them just as she did for years in school. If your shoes aren’t quite right, she might gently tell you off if they don’t quite look like proper uniform. And if you meet her, you may well find yourself calling her Miss Harris.

There is almost always a book nearby. Wendy has always loved reading, particularly English literature, and she is often happiest sitting quietly with a book in hand or spending time doing arts and crafts, whether that’s during the day or when joining the homes monthly sessions with Ruth Bateman.

To read more about the events and people at Heanton News & Blogs - Heanton Nursing Home - Devon Nursing Home

Happy Earth Day from North Devon

We can't save the world but we can do a little to help the environment, the natural world and wildlife and we can help by planting wild flowers and making sure they are preserved in their natural environment. 'No Mow May' will hopefully help with this, our local Devon councils have done a great job over the past couple of years leaving the wildflowers to flourish by the roadsides.  

Here is a photo of a tiny little wildflower predominant (but hiding in plain sight) in hedgerows, woodlands, green lanes and roadside borders leaving mile after mile of bounty for bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

The Common Dog-violet flowers from April to June and is the food source for High-Brown Fritillary Butterfly caterpillars. I had a little look in the leaves and petals in the banks beside the path through an ancient woodland the other day but did not see any. 

According to Butterfly Conservation "The High Brown Fritillary was once widespread in England and Wales but since the 1950s has undergone a dramatic decline. It is now reduced to around 50 sites where conservationists are working to save it from extinction."

FACT CHECKING

What would we do without Google and Wikepedia

TAP HERE TO READ ALL ABOUT BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION -  

"A world where butterflies and moths thrive and can be enjoyed by everyone, forever." 

TAP HERETO VISIT WOODLAND TRUST for more information on the Common Dog Violet (Viola riviniana)

TAP HERE TO READ ALL ABOUT EARTH DAY

Nursing Home Turns Reception Area into Sweet Shop and Café

Hatherleigh Nursing Home near Okehampton, Devon, has re-vamped what was once its reception area, turning it into a sweet shop and café. The space now features shelves of traditional sweet jars alongside a small coffee area where drinks can be made and enjoyed, creating another place to sit and make a hot drink beyond the kitchenettes within each household.

The idea grew from a family member (resident) who previously ran her own sweet shop. She now spends time in the space with others, surrounded by something that still feels recognisable. The team worked with The Puzzled Sweet Shop in Dawlish to bring the idea to life, sourcing jars and a selection of classic sweets from the local business.

Jars line the shelves filled with liquorice all sorts, jelly beans, chocolate mice, peppermint creams and other traditional favourites. A vintage-style scale is used as sweets are weighed out into white or classic pink striped paper bags.

The space has quickly become part of everyday life in the home, with people stopping by throughout the day. Some pause in front of the jars, taking their time to choose, while others sit nearby with a drink and watch as bags are filled and passed across the counter.

For some, it brings back the experience of stopping at the local shop, whether that was after school with friends or later taking their own children at the weekend, choosing sweets from behind the counter — something many remember as a familiar part of daily life. It has introduced a setting that feels recognisable, while also offering a place for relatives and visitors to pause when they arrive.

The change reflects a wider focus on the spaces people use each day and the routines that continue within them. By understanding each person’s history, preferences and habits, support is shaped around the individual, with family members continuing to live in a way that feels familiar to them.

 

If you would like to learn more about Hatherleigh Nursing Home, please visit https://www.hatherleighnursinghome.com/lifes-journey-continued-2/