A small patch of herbs growing in a care home garden might not seem remarkable. But for Susie, it tells the story of how life continues after moving into care. Rather than leaving behind the things that have always defined her, her love of gardening continues at Thistle Court, with herbs she helps grow finding their way into meals prepared for the people she now calls neighbours. It is just one part of a much bigger story. By taking the time to understand the life Susie lived before moving into the home, the team have been able to support the interests, routines and little details that have always mattered to her, from gardening and animals to caravanning adventures, treasured memories and even the pride she still takes in her long nails.
For Susie, life has always been shaped by the things that mattered most to her. Whether that was travelling in the caravan, caring for animals, spending time in the garden or simply taking pride in the little things.
Born in Mountain Ash in South Wales, Susan “Susie” spent her earliest years there before moving to Bristol as a young child, where much of her childhood was shaped. It was there that she first discovered her love of singing. As a young woman, Susie’s voice took her to London, where she performed opera on stage. Known for her beautiful mezzo-soprano voice, her family remember her singing as something truly special. She later entered and won many Eisteddfod competitions, earning recognition for her singing and love of Welsh music. While singing belonged to an earlier chapter of Susie’s life, it remains a special memory for those who knew that part of her best.
Susie’s working life was varied. She trained as a chiropodist, later worked in administration, and spent time taking 999 emergency calls at a fire station in Brighton. Each role reflected her practical nature and her willingness to support others.
Later in life, came one of Susie’s greatest loves, caravanning.
Any chance she and her husband had, they would be away in the caravan. Bank holidays, weekends away and their yearly trips to France became a regular part of life, with the caravan at the centre of it all. Cornwall was another favourite place, alongside trips to Canada and Corfu. For Susie, the caravan was far more than just a way to travel. It became part of her way of life.
Alongside her love of travel, animals have always been close to Susie’s heart. Over the years she cared for many pets, including her golden Labrador Lady Jane, a black Labrador called Henry, a border collie cross named Rex and her cat Smudge. She has always had a particular soft spot for dogs, though her love extends to all animals, especially horses.
As the years moved on, and as Susie’s cognitive needs began to change, the people closest to her knew the time had come to find the right support. She now lives at Thistle Court, somewhere that understands the person she has always been and has brought reassurance to those closest to her.
Her love for animals continues through the home’s regular animal visits, something Susie always looks forward to. Whether spending time with Dora, the home’s therapy puppy in training, or welcoming alpacas and ponies into the home from Bedrock Alpaca visits. For someone who has always surrounded herself with animals, these visits remain an important part of life at Thistle Court.
Susie and the alpacas
Gardening has become another important part of that connection. A passion she has held for much of her life, she takes part in the home’s gardening club and now has her own small patch of land to care for.
Susie and her potatoes
More recently, that role has grown even further. Following the introduction of new seasonal menus by Evolve Care Group’s Group Catering Lead, Neil Whalen, the home began using a wider variety of fresh herbs and ingredients in its meals. It sparked a conversation: “rather than buying everything in, why not grow some of it ourselves?” That simple idea became part of the gardening club, and now Suzie helps grow herbs that will later be used in the kitchen, connecting her love of gardening directly to daily life in the home and it means something she has always loved still has a place in her everyday life.
Neil Whalen
The team also recognise the importance of the smaller things that remain deeply part of Susie’s identity. Her long nails, something that runs in the family and has always been a point of pride, are one of those things. Even now, they remain important to her. Mention them, and Susie will happily tell you all her tips and tricks for keeping them long and strong.
She is also a familiar and much-loved part of Thistle Court’s Knit and Natter club, where she has naturally taken on her own special role. Sitting beside the knitting needles, she keeps a watchful eye over them, making sure they stay exactly where they should. Because for Susie, it is often the little things, the animals, the garden, the caravan stories and even the conversations about her nails, that still feel most like home.
To learn more about Thistle Court Care Home please visit Thistle Court Life Captured – Thistle Court Care Home