The lovely Valda joined the Helping Hands family in February 2024 and we wasted no time in getting to know her. While she was a long-time UK resident, Valda had deep roots and family in South Africa. She led a comfortable and happy life over here in the UK, but Valda often dreamt of making the long trip to her homeland of South Africa which she hadn’t visited in over a decade.
The last time Valda had reconnected with her South African loved ones was in June when her daughter Ceri had travelled back to visit her. Even though Valda loved seeing Ceri, it still had been many long years since she had seen her other family members, including her brother. After a decline in her husband’s health, Valda decided that now was the perfect time to finally make the journey across land and sea to South Africa.
Ceri invited her mother for a much-needed holiday which would be a welcome change of scenery for Valda from rainy England. However, due to certain medical conditions that Valda was living with, she wondered how she could ever make the trip. As Valda enjoyed the trustworthy and competent help of a Helping Hands carer, we began making plans on how we could make Valda’s long-sought-after dream a reality.
Our wonderful carers are expertly trained in elderly care and condition-led care, so they’re always capable of looking after our customers. Valda’s carer was dedicated to ensuring Valda’s comfort and safety for the journey and took meticulous care in prepping and planning, alongside Valda’s family members. After familiarising herself with relevant documents about the area, Valda’s carer made sure she was well-equipped to travel alongside her to South Africa.
The trip, while challenging at times, was full of unforgettable moments and heartwarming times with family. For the first time in a long time, Valda finally reunited with her brother and grandchildren in sunny Africa. She even visited her grandchildren’s school and watched them perform in their ballet class! A passionate gardener, Valda spent the days alongside the house gardener, enjoying their tutoring on tending to plants. She loved this reconnection of an old passion and we hope she’ll continue the hobby and enjoy the nature around her.
The trip brought about a surprising and important decision for Valda. Tired from the long trip from the UK to her family home and overjoyed by the presence of her loved ones, she decided to stay there for good. Valda decided to leave the life she had built for herself in the UK and remain instead alongside her family. The trip to South Africa took a surprising and profound turn for Valda, and we wish her all the best in her new life back home.
Here at Helping Hands, we’re proud that Valda’s wonderful carers and staff here at HQ made the trip possible for Valda. We always strive to make a positive difference in the lives of our customers, but Valda’s story defies all expectations! With the care, compassion and attention of her carers, she was able to relocate to a sunnier climate to spend her golden years alongside her loved ones.
For Valda, this trip was not just a holiday—it was a homecoming, filled with love, memories, and the comfort of being surrounded by those she holds dear.
Enjoy the Sun, Valda!
