Cheshire care home welcomes local museum to take residents on heartwarming journey back in time

Residents at a luxury Cheshire care home have been treated to a trip down memory lane, welcoming members of the local museum for a captivating exploration of its town's rich history.

The recent visit offered residents at Priesty Fields Care Home in Congleton a unique opportunity to reminisce and reconnect with their past through old photographs and historical records — unearthing many happy memories amidst the largely Cheshire-born care community. 

With many of the residents having actually grown up in Congleton, the activities team at the home jumped at the opportunity to welcome the Congleton Museum Trust, a registered charity formed in 1985 by a group of local history enthusiasts.

The museum team guided the residents through a series of engaging discussions, sharing captivating anecdotes and historical insights about the town's significant landmarks, events, and everyday life. The old photographs acted as windows to the past, sparking a wave of nostalgia and recollections among the residents.

The event quickly became an emotional and heartfelt exchange, with residents reminiscing about their childhood, their families and the experiences that shaped their lives. This collaboration marks the beginning of an ongoing partnership between the home and museum, with plans for further visits in the future.

Commenting on the visit, Gill Williams, Home Manager at Priesty Fields, said: “It was an absolute delight to welcome the local museum to our care community. The residents really enjoyed reflecting on the past, with old images sparking fond memories and conversations — which is so important for their cognitive well-being. Many of the residents learnt things about their town that they never knew before and the museum team were so engaging. Following such positive feedback, we definitely hope to welcome them again in the future!”

Congleton Museum, located in the former police station next to the town hall, looks to pull together as much as possible of the history of Congleton and explore ways of exhibiting it to the community. It boasts a wealth of fascinating artefacts to display, including an Anglo-Saxon log boat, a burial urn from 1500 BC, two major coin hoards from the 17th Century, plus numerous items of historical interest from more recent times.

The Congleton Museum team expressed their delight at witnessing the residents' reactions, with Ian Doughty, Chairman of Trustees, adding: "It was wonderful to see how these photographs have rekindled a sense of connection and joy among the residents. Our mission is to bring history to life, and today, we achieved that by sharing these precious memories."

Jan Lester, a resident at Priesty Fields Care Home, said: “I’ve always wanted to go to the museum, so it was great for them to come to us. I really enjoyed the talk it was so interesting”.

Another resident, Patricia Cope, added: “It was brilliant. I am from Congleton, and I remember some of the past buildings and businesses he showed us. It was a trip down memory lane and I really did enjoy it”. 

Located in a green residential area close to Congleton’s town centre, Priesty Fields includes 78 spacious en-suite bedrooms, along with a gastropub, farmers market, cinema, spa, salon, gym, library, private dining room, garden lounge, and GP office. 

The home is operated by the Handsale care group, which oversees the management of eight residential and nursing care homes across England, Scotland and Wales. The group prides itself on empowering its staff to provide outstanding care by putting wellbeing and community at the centre of its operations.

To find out more information about Priesty Fields Care Home, please visit: 

https://handsale.co.uk/priestyfields/ 

For more information on the Congleton Museum Trust, please visit: 

https://www.congletonmuseum.co.uk/ 

Priesty Fields is a luxury 78-bed care home in Congleton, Cheshire which opened in June 2021, The state-of-the-art, purpose-built residential care home offers prospective residents a space where they can maintain their independence and live fulfilling lives.

Nestled in a green residential area close to the market town’s centre, the home includes 78 spacious en-suite bedrooms, along with a gastro pub, farmers market. cinema, spa, salon, gym, library, private dining room, garden lounge, and a GP office.

The home is run by Handsale, a group of eight care homes across England, Scotland and Wales providing innovative care to its users through digital care plans, secure medication delivery, and 24/7 management. The group prides itself on empowering staff to provide outstanding care by putting wellbeing and community at its centre.

Pictured - Priesty Fields Care Home welcomes Congleton Museum.