Katherine House resident, Simon, was born in Guildford in Surrey, England’s most densely wooded county, well known for its areas of outstanding beauty. As a young boy, Simon would always have binoculars and a telescope readily available to borrow from his family and he was inspired to get out in nature; Simon’s mother and grandmother shared his passion for wildlife and encouraged him to observe the flora and fauna around him.
Throughout his life, Simon has maintained an interest in bird watching. Alongside this, he previously managed a farm, which he describes as ‘hard work but very enjoyable’, another experience which allowed him to learn about the natural world. Our Wellbeing Coordinator, spent time with Simon informing him about our ‘One Wish Project’, an opportunity for each resident to have a dream come true. With Simon, Sabina began to search for a special occasion which would be of great interest to him in the community and Simon was invited to attend the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery; the world-renowned exhibition contains over 100 stunning photographs showcasing the Earth’s extraordinary diversity and highlights the fragility of our planet.
Simon was ecstatic to be given this opportunity and very pleased to share the experience with fellow residents and staff.
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery is a beautiful historical building; all attendees enjoyed free time exploring the various grand exhibits such as the Natural World, Dinosaurs, Minerals, Ancient Egypt, Art, Geology & Fossils. Breaking for lunch, residents were then treated to delicious speciality teas/coffees in the café. Afterwards, we were permitted entry to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, which was truly fascinating. The exhibition features soundscapes, videos, expert insights and stunning photography that capture animal behaviour, spectacular species, and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world. It’s safe to say that Simon was in his element as he explored the exhibition, full of compliments towards the staff members who had helped make this wish come true.
“Oh it was wonderful! I enjoyed every minute of it. Thank you so much for giving me such a happy experience. I was really thrilled, and the exhibition was truly fantastic.” Simon
“Thank you so much for taking Dad to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. He has not stopped talking about it and he has not stopped smiling. This meant so much to him. We loved seeing the photograph of him up on Instagram.” Simon’s daughter