BARBARA White is living the broadcasting dream by becoming a radio DJ.
The 84-year-old’s wish was granted by her care supervisor, Jamie Knight, from Burnworthy House Care Home, in South Petherton, and BBC Somerset.
Barbara, who has always expressed an interest in becoming a radio DJ, was invited to the studio in Taunton to try out the equipment and take to the airwaves.
Jamie approached Nick Bull, at the BBC, and his team was happy to oblige and set the wheels in motion.
When news the BBC were happy to fulfil Barbara’s wish, Andy Freeman, of Freeway Taxis, offered his transport services free of charge and made sure she arrived at the studio safely.
On arrival, they were given a tour of the building and an overview of the equipment and how it works. From there, Barbara was introduced to Claire Carter, morning presenter for BBC Somerset.
Staff at the local radio station were “incredibly accommodating” and created a personalised jingle for Barbara, before assisting her with playing her song choice – I’m Into Something Good, by Herman’s Herbits.
Speaking in an interview at the studio, Jamie said: “Life in a care home isn’t boring. Residents can still live their lives outside of the care home as well. It’s so rewarding seeing the residents, a lot of them at the later stage of their life, enjoying themselves, having a laugh and being looked after; well why shouldn’t they be.”
When Claire spoke on her breakfast afterwards, she urged people to support care homes to grant the wishes of their residents: “If anybody listening gets a random phone call from a care home one day saying ‘we’ve got a resident that would like to have a go at being a stonemason’, let them do it.”
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