Former Bentley engineer and Sale care home resident wishes come true

A resident at a Sale care home and former Rolls-Royce and Bentley employee has taken a trip down memory lane.

When the team at Care UK’s Oakfield Croft, on Oakfield, learned that former Rolls-Royce and Bentley engineer, Mike Dunn, 91, wanted to go back to his old workplace, they were determined to fulfil his wish.

Mike worked at the historic Pyms Lane factory, in Crewe, from 1983 until his early retirement in 1990. As Engineering Director, he re-engineered Bentley’s recently launched Silver Spirit and Mulsanne cars and added the Bentley Turbo R.

After fondly reminiscing about his time at the site, and to make Mike’s experience extra special, the home contacted Matthew, one of Rolls-Royce’s Master Engineers in Knutsford, and arranged for the pair to meet at Bentley Manchester.

On the day, Mike enjoyed an exclusive look at an impressive collection of luxury cars, including Bentleys, Bugattis, Lamborghinis, and Ferraris. He also spoke to Matthew about his time as an engineer and reminisced about how cars and engines have evolved over the years.

Mike said: “I had a lovely day seeing all the cars brought back so many memories.”

Mike’s experience was part of Care UK’s Wishing Tree initiative, which enables residents to put forward their dreams, allowing them to reconnect with a past hobby or try something completely new.

Roxanne Walsh, Home Manager at Oakfield Croft, said: “It was wonderful to see Mike reconnect with his past career. He always speaks so passionately about his time working as an engineer for Rolls-Royce and we just love hearing all his memories from working at the site in Crewe!

“Moving into a care home doesn’t mean having to leave the past behind, and we’re always trying to find ways to enable residents like Mike to reminisce and continue doing the things they love. He thoroughly enjoyed his time looking around and chatting with all the staff. It was a lovely trip down memory lane!

“A huge thank you to Matthew and everyone at Bentley Manchester for making Mike’s wish come true; it was such a memorable and heartwarming experience.”

Oakfield Croft provides residential, dementia and short-term respite care, and has been rated ‘good’ in all five areas by the Care Quality Commission. The home is designed to enable residents to lead active and fulfilling lives, while also promoting independence, and incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies. The building boasts facilities such as a cinema, café and hair and beauty salon.

For more information on Oakfield Croft, please contact Customer Relations Manager Jenny Walker on 0161 820 4019, Jenny.Walker@careuk.com or visit careuk.com/care-homes/oakfield-croft-sale.