Patricia goes ‘above and beyond’

A HELPFUL volunteer who goes “above and beyond” for elderly residents has been nominated for a Pride in Oldham award.

Patricia McGuigan (73), of Rochdale Road, Royton, regularly provides activities and services for the elderly at Tandle View Court.

The properties opened in 2009 and provide 59 care apartments for older people.

Bullock Construction joined forces with Oldham Council and Housing 21 in an ambitious £400 million PFI to revamp residential homes and build specialised extra care units.

Kath Cheetham (78), who also lives on Rochdale Road, nominated Patricia, who started going to Tandle View when her husband died two years ago.

Her cleaner, who also worked at Tandle View, suggested she go and play bingo, one of the numerous activities arranged by Patricia.

Kath said: “Patricia is very outgoing and helpful.

“She does go above and beyond.

“It’s her life to do all these things and she does enjoy it.

“She is very straight forward and very forthright.

“A lot of the residents are in wheelchairs. Pat arranges all kinds of activities for them, such as ‘Bingo Tuesday’ and coffee evenings.

“As well as that, she arranges trips and parties.

“She is the driving force behind it.

“It’s all voluntary, so if anything, it costs her.”

Surprised

Now retired, Patricia worked in the cotton mills when she was younger, an amusement arcade and part-time in a shop, so that she could look after her four children.

She was surprised to hear that she had been nominated.

She said: “I think it’s wonderful. I enjoy it, I love it. It keeps the brain ticking away, especially at my age.

“A lot of people can’t come out of their rooms, so I ensure that the Christmas cheer is delivered to their rooms so that they’re not left on their own.

“Some of them have no relatives.

“Some of them are 80 so it’s nice to see them get up and dance, like at Christmas.

“When you live on your own it keeps you occupied and I love doing things for them.”