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WWII Care Home heroes shore up battling spirit on 75th anniversary of VE day

Published: Friday, 08 May 2020

WWII Care Home heroes shore up battling spirit on 75th anniversary of VE day

TWO heroes of WWII have marked VE day by shoring up spirit on a key front in the COVID-19 response – from their care home.

TWO heroes of WWII have marked VE day by shoring up fighting spirit on a key battle front in the COVID-19 response – from their care home.

Long-planned public celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of war have been abandoned due to the COVID-19 lockdown. But Gordon Cowan (97) and Peter Fitzpatrick (92), both residents of David Walker Gardens in Rutherglen, have kept community spirit alive by making a special guest appearance – via NHS Lanarkshire Near Me video conferencing technology – to a local childcare hub.

Loch Primary School Hub, also in Rutherglen, is one of several South Lanarkshire Council facilities that, by providing child care for key workers, has become an integral part of ensuring health, social care and emergency services can continue to be delivered.

Before being linked up with the veterans, pupils had painted pictures, depicting what they’d been learning about the announcement of peace after six years of global conflict. They’d displayed them via the secure video link to help residents mark the celebrations.

Near Me

Near Me

And, in return, Gordon Cowan was able to tell the children and Hub volunteers, during a question and answer session, how a stoic outlook served him well during his time at sea.

“My role in the Navy was to listen out for enemy submarines as we shepherded merchant shipping across the Atlantic. It was an intensive, all-consuming experience that demanded full concentration.

“Of course there was trepidation but we were consumed with the job in hand. We focused on what we could control - not what we feared.”

Gordon added: “VE day for me was, and continues to be, a symbol that dark times don’t last and it was camaraderie that often got us through the uncertainty. I suppose it’s a good outlook for these tough times.”

Peter Fitzpatrick served in the RAF as a radar operator during the final phases of the war. Based in Middle Wallop airbase in Hampshire, he supported countless rapid reaction sorties to defend the country against last-ditch Luftwaffe raids.

“My role was to help seek out the enemy so we could knock them out of action before they could inflict death and destruction from on high. War is an incredibly brutal, violent undertaking. With cessation came an overwhelming sense of jubilation.”

Peter continued: “School children would come and visit David Walker Gardens fairly regularly before the lockdown. Being able to link up with them now has been a real pleasure. 75 years on from 1945, it fits in with the sense of hope that VE stood for.”

Dawn Simpson, Head Teacher at the Loch Primary School Hub, said: “The children have been working very hard on their paintings. It was great to actually see the response that got from the care home residents via the link.

“I’m proud of the work at our Hubs – and the role they have played in keeping vital health and social care services going. Huge credit also to all of our children – they’ve excelled in this project and buoyed morale as we continue to respond to the challenges of COVID-19.”


Technology the vital link to show partnership working at its best

Pupils of Loch Primary school Hub had been linked into David Walker Gardens via NHS Lanarkshire Near Me video conferencing.

The technology typically allows health and care providers to offer secure video call access to their services as part of their day-to-day work. Use of Near Me has been significantly scaled up across many elements of health and social care as part of a robust response to COVID-19 to help people of all ages, including children, families and older adults.

As well as clinical consultations, the technology can also be used by health and care providers to maintain vital links and help people avoid social isolation.

Val de Souza, Chief Officer of South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, praised the efforts of all involved. “Our Care Homes have always been a vital part of community life – and this shows the important role they continue to play, even in these difficult times. Equally, the school Hubs are a crucial part of our response infrastructure with staff volunteers – and pupils alike – making a valuable contribution.

“This virtual meeting typifies a community spirit and sense of partnership that endures and prevails – against unprecedented challenges. That’s fitting given the very essence of VE day.”

Secret behind celebratory bunting

Bunting

Bunting

VE day bunting that adorns David Walker Gardens was created from wartime photographs featuring the relatives of staff, service users and service users themselves during the war.

As well as adding to the decorative theme, the bunting was specially designed by the care home staff to encourage reminiscence during the celebrations.

Reminiscence projects, using props such as pictures, photographs and everyday objects, can help people living with dementia or cognitive impairments to tap into long-term memories. This, in turn, can help people to recall their personal histories from child and adulthood - and provide comfort and enjoyment.

Craig Cunningham, NHS Lanarkshire’s veteran champion, said the bunting represented not only the innovative approach of the Care Home – but highlighted the debt of gratitude owed to the veteran community.

“So many people from so many walks of life came together during the war, and all conflicts, to make huge personal sacrifices. The range of faces and big characters depicted here personifies that. There will be a fascinating and, no doubt, heartrending story behind each photograph.

“I’d like to pay personal tribute to all veterans on this milestone anniversary. I’d also like to offer sincere thanks to our staff and partners making such an incredible effort to help veterans, like Gordon and Peter, mark VE day despite the current lockdown challenges.”