Pauline Dewar, 74, was reunited with her long-lost sister, thanks to the dedication and compassion of staff at McKillop Gardens care home in East Kilbride.

Originally from Lochaline in the Highlands, Pauline, now a resident at McKillop Gardens, lost touch with her sister Yvonne after moving out of her home and losing her personal belongings, including contact details.

Determined to help, Pauline’s key worker and Social Care Worker, Karen O’Donnell, along with colleagues Senior Social Care Worker Lisa Gowran and Social Care Assistant Lylah Shenton, embarked on a mission to reconnect the sisters.

Karen explained: “Pauline spoke to her sister twice a week when she lived at home, but after relocating, she sadly lost all means of contacting her. We explored several options, including reaching out to Pauline’s social worker, contacting the local church in Balintore in the Highlands where Yvonne lived and searching social media platforms.

“The breakthrough came when Lylah identified Yvonne’s daughter, Linda, on social media. After sending a message, Linda confirmed Pauline was her aunt and helped pass on contact details to Yvonne.”

A short time later, Yvonne called the care home ­ a moment that left staff emotional.

Pauline received the surprise call on her birthday, describing it as the best gift she could have asked for.

Karen added: “When we handed the phone to Pauline, her face lit up. They chatted for over half an hour, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Since then, Yvonne has sent a hand-written letter, clothes, and treasured family photos — bringing comfort and joy to Pauline.”

Pauline expressed her happiness at hearing from her sister. She said: “I don’t know how many years it’s been, but it’s been a long, long time. My sister is nine years older than me and has always looked after me when we were younger. It’s so good to connect with her again. The staff here are wonderful — they look after me and are really helpful.”

Professor Soumen Sengupta, South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership Chief Officer, praised the team’s efforts: “This heart-warming story showcases the compassion and dedication shown by staff at McKillop Gardens. Their commitment to providing person-centred care has brought immense joy to Pauline and her sister.”

McKillop Gardens recently received glowing feedback in a Care Inspectorate report, highlighting its strong leadership, dedicated staff, and outstanding person-centred care — with Pauline’s story serving as a testament to the difference they make every day.