Residents get on board at care home’s virtual railway station

A virtual railway station designed to evoke fond local memories has proved a big hit with care home residents.

Residents at Anchor Hanover’s Borrage House in Ripon, North Yorkshire celebrated the opening of ‘Denton Station’, which was funded by a bequest from former resident Jean Denton and officially launched by Harrogate Borough Mayor Stuart Martin.

Kathy Bullock, 87 who has lived at Borrage House since early 2018, said: “It is lovely to have Denton station at Borrage House. It is lovely to sit as though I’m on a train, watching the scenery. It feels like I am sitting in First Class.

“I would love if the staff could wear a Station Master’s cap and open the door saying; ‘First Class this way.  Borrage House Travel at your service!’ But only on very special occasions of course.”

Staff at the home spent months transforming the communal lounge into the themed area, which is designed to evoke memories of Ripon’s former railway station, which closed in the 1960s.

Borrage House Manager, Sarah Aitken, said: “We couldn’t have hoped for a better reaction to Denton Station. The staff and two local tradesmen spent months transforming our communal lounge into something really special that will be used by the residents for reminiscence sessions.

“Denton station is an invaluable asset to Borrage House and will be for many years to come. Ripon has its railway station back.”