Choc-obsessed Horndean care home resident enjoys sweetest day of her life

88-year-old Doreen Williams, who lives at Care UK’s Pear Tree Court, on Portsmouth Road, has had a lifelong obsession with chocolate. When team members discovered Doreen’s sweet tooth, they arranged a special day jam-packed with chocolate-themed activities and excursions.

Team members dressed up as characters from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and organised a chocolate-making demonstration at the home, teaching Doreen and her friends all the processes of chocolate production. Later, Doreen was whisked away on a whistlestop tour around local Lindt and Cadbury shops, where she was treated to free chocolate samples and plenty of treats to take home.

Former retail worker Doreen said: “It was the best day of my life. My favourite part was visiting the chocolate shops – everything has changed so much since the last time I went down there, it felt like a dream!

“It meant the world to me that team members remembered my love of chocolate and arranged this special day for me. I have never had an experience like it.”

When asked what her favourite chocolate bar was, Doreen said: “I couldn’t possibly choose between them – they’re all so delicious!”

The chocolatey day formed part of Pear Tree Court’s Wishing Tree Initiative, which encourages residents to put wishes forward, allowing them to reconnect with an old hobby, explore their passions or try something completely new – from flying a plane to enjoying a fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small.

Aimee Sparks, Home Manager at Pear Tree Court, said: “Doreen has always had a deep love of chocolate. If she had it her way, she would eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

“If Doreen is ever having a bad day, chocolate always finds a way of making her smile. One of her favourite activities is bingo, where it just so happens she gets the opportunity to win more chocolate.

“She truly is the Chocoholic Queen of Pear Tree Court, and I would like to thank our wonderful team for helping to create the sweetest day of Doreen’s life.”

Pear Tree Court is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own cinema and hair salon, and there is plenty of space both indoors and out for relaxation and recreation.