RESIDENTS looking to try something new in 2018 could take inspiration from 91-year-old Barbara.
The pensioner began receiving home care from local Bromsgrove and Redditch care company Home Instead Senior Care more than two years ago.
Since then carers Alex, Claire and Juliette have formed a wonderful relationship with her and her pooch – lurcher Izzy.
Alex said: “Barbara and I were matched up right from the start for our shared love of horses.
“I used to ride horses myself and I often take Barbara to the stables where she can spend time with the animals she loves so dearly.
“Barbara’s love of animals, especially horses, has never wavered, and to see her around them is to see someone truly in their element.
“We get to spend a few hours every week together and I always plan trips out for us. Recently, we visited Webbs of Wychbold, and we have also been glass blowing, and jewellery making.”
Barbara, a mother of three, has led an extraordinary life. In her youth, she was a ballerina with the Anglo Polish Ballet Company in London, the first ballet company to travel overseas to entertain the troops during the Second World War.
At one time, she danced only a few miles from the front line.
She also worked as a seamstress making animal nightdress cases to be sold in Harrods and also stitched fine embroidery for dolls aprons.
After the war, her husband’s work took them to South Africa where Barbara continued her other passion – horses.
During her time there she bred, reared and showed her beautiful horses.
Annie Dixon Dunn, owner of Home Instead, said, “The team who look after Barbara are fantastic. ‘The girls’, as Barbara calls them, are in constant contact with each other, making sure they are all up to date with what Barbara has been getting up to.”
For more information on Home Instead call 01527 810855.
