Alive is a Bristol-based charity working creatively in care settings to develop person-centred activities and CEO Isobel Jones described the Wishing Washing Line project as an example. “It supports older people to fulfil their dreams, big or small,” she told UKDC. “The dream of one 104-year-old lady was to be arrested, so we arranged for a police car to come. She loved it.” When Alive launched the project, 15 care homes signed up and 117 wishes were received by word of mouth and suggestion boxes placed around the homes. “One couple wanted a romantic meal on their wedding anniversary, so we put a call out and we had two chefs competing to do it. Wishes don’t have to be big, it’s all about the personalisation and listening.”
