RESIDENT BLOG: “I’ve enjoyed most of my life!” – a Homemead care home resident shares her birthday with C&C (and the Queen!)

With C&C having turned 95 during the past few months, there aren’t too many things or people older than the organisation. But having celebrated her 95^th birthday back on August 17 last year, Audrey Ahmed, resident at one of two C&C’s Richmond care homes, was already two months old when Ada Chesterton’s impassioned plea to help women on London’s streets created the Cecil Homes charity in late 1926.

Audrey, who has lived at Homemead care home in Teddington since April 2018, has been reflecting on her life as part of C&C’s 95^th anniversary celebrations. This includes being evacuated from Brighton to the Lake District during the Second World War, spending time as a doctor in India after graduating from the University of London, and becoming fluent in five languages!

Audrey recently shared her story with us.

“I had a very happy childhood, with lovely parents and a brother,” Audrey explains.

“The first six years I was in Gosport in Hampshire, before moving to Hertfordshire.”

“I was 13 when the (Second World) War broke out. My school was evacuated from Brighton right up to the Lake District because of the war – but I was in London before the war finished. I went to university there, in order to train to become a hospital doctor.

“I was married for donkey’s years! I was married in 1947, not along after the war finished and when I was just 21 years old, right up until my husband died three or four years ago. At one time we lived in India where I worked as a doctor. We lived in Aligarh, New Delhi and Simna.

“I really have enjoyed most of my life!! I’ve lived at Homemead care home for a few months now. It’s a nice place to live, and I have made some friends here.

“I know I am about the same age as the Queen, but it doesn’t really make me feel special – it’s just been a part of my life.”

Throughout January C&C is hosting a “Move for Care” month-long step challenge, which will be followed by a fortnight dance-a-thon in early February. The aim is to raise £25,000 to build sensory gardens at each of our four care homes. To support these fundraising efforts, or to get involved yourself, please visit ccht.org.uk/our-care-homes/move-for-care/. Thank you for your support.