Maureen Wilkinson has quickly become part of the furniture at Middlesbrough Grange, in fact you could say she has definitely made this her home.
That’s because you can often find Maureen doing a little cleaning or helping to set the tables for lunch, and at this rate we’re going to need to start paying her for her services!
Even though we tell Maureen to relax and take it easy, she’s never happier than when she’s pottering about, helping out here and there and chatting with residents and staff.
And she says she wouldn’t have it any other way.
You could say it’s in the blood because during her working life, Maureen worked as a cleaner in the former Poole Hospital in Nunthorpe.
This was whilst also bringing up her three children, although one, a son, later died sadly.
Maureen came to Middlesbrough Grange in June 2024 on the suggestion of her children Fiona and Geoffrey as they could see she was struggling in her own home.
“I like it here and it’s close to where my home was, so it all feels familiar to me.” Maureen says.
“The staff are all brilliant and I know they tell me that I don’t need to do anything, but I just like helping out.
“Old habits die hard, and I like keeping busy during the day so doing a little cleaning and helping set the tables is something I enjoy.
Maureen enjoys taking part in the activities at the home and one of her favourites was the visit from Whitby Falconers, a company which brings birds of prey and reptiles which people can handle.
“I held a tiny owl, and you can see from the pictures of me that I wasn’t sure at first but once I got used to it, it was fine and I enjoyed it,” says Maureen.
