KeithMacdonald Posted March 12 Share Posted March 12 The Railway Convalescent Homes Charity has announced that its last property, Bridge House, Dawlish, Devon is now closed. Sad for anyone that was working there, but maybe in a way a good thing? Presumably that's because railways now are cleaner, healthier and less dangerous places to work? 55+ years ago, me and my teenage mates used to cycle past there regularly, and back then it was a busy place, with lots of residents and visitors. Completely by coincidence, I found that a namesake, Isabella MacDonald, was working there, way back in 1911 as a parlour maid. How and why is another story, as Isobella was born in Brodie, Morayshire, in 1893. 4 3 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Ray H Posted March 13 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 13 I lost my dad from kidney failure when I was just 12, 64 years ago. I know he was in a Railway Convalescent Home at Dawlish although I don't know if it was this one. We mentioned it at home recently to the surprise of some family members. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Lamb Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 The end of an era. At one time various organizations provided these facilities. There was one in Gilsland near Carlisle that was run by the Co-op. Around 1944, when I was very young and so don't remember anything about it, I was sent there with my mother to be away from the London area. There was also a Hetfordshire home on the south coast. If you paid a small subscription you were entitled to a stay there. I think that scheme closed in the 1980s. Bernard 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickham Green too Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 On 12/03/2024 at 23:21, KeithMacdonald said: ... but maybe in a way a good thing? Presumably that's because railways now are cleaner, healthier and less dangerous places to work? ... While workplace hazards are - thankfully - reduced, convalescing from non work related ailments is still required and probably done in specialist establishments now ........... though what better 'cure' could there be than being surrounded by railway 'family' ??!? 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickham Green too Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 Must admit I've long thought the same about retirement homes ......... you see pictures on the telly of rooms full of old* folk with nothing better to do than watch the telly all day - what better than themed retirement homes for people with a common background !!?! * probably no older than many of us - but a lot more bored ☹️ 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM42 Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 (edited) Convalescent centres are unfortunately a thing of the past. They just cost too much in today's profit driven rather than cover cost society. Nog so long ago we lost our last NHS run home. My mum was a resident for a while during the transition from hospital bed to home. A fine idea to alleviate the pressure on hospitals, give people a chance to recover whilst still having some professional help on hand. Life used to be so much nicer when companies found ways of getting the wages back at the social club, the sports ground or in a fund for any possibly future health needs. As for people watching TV in old folks homes, what else is there to do that doesn't cost a fortune to provide? The occasional activity happens, but nurse TV does a lot of day to day heavy lifting. Andy Edited March 14 by SM42 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithMacdonald Posted March 14 Author Share Posted March 14 (edited) 4 hours ago, SM42 said: As for people watching TV in old folks homes, what else is there to do that doesn't cost a fortune to provide? In my old folks home, it's dog walking and cross-country running. Plenty of us are 70+ and active members of the local running club. 😀 🏃♂️ 🐕🦺 Edited March 14 by KeithMacdonald 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM42 Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 (edited) 25 minutes ago, KeithMacdonald said: In my old folks home, it's dog walking and cross-country running. Plenty of us are 70+ and active members of the local running club. 😀 🏃♂️ 🐕🦺 Sorry poor use of words on my part I should have said nursing home, a place where additional care and mobility needs are catered for that are beyond the capability of the individual or their family. A bit like a convalescent home, but on a more permanent and expensive basis. My mum was a resident of a couple when her dementia became unmanageable for us, to the point that she was endangering herself. She moved to the second when her mobility started to decline. No matter how much they charged, or how modern and purpose built they were, ( the second was a brand new purpose built home) the TV in the common areas did a lot of the work. On some visits it seemed like the staff were herding cats and there were many crazy and hilarious moments, but at the same time tinged with sadness and the guilt that you had, somehow, failed. Andy Edited March 14 by SM42 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithMacdonald Posted March 19 Author Share Posted March 19 Just found on Flickr in "Local Studies at Swindon Central Library." Quote Local Studies Swindon Library & Information Service - 1933: Railway Convalescent Home, Dawlish - Dawlish Viaduct Choir (postcard) - Source: Scan of original postcard. - Set: Dixon Attwell donation. - Date: 1933. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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