Originally an initiative of FaNs Essex, Wishing Washing LineTM West (previously known as The Bristol Wishing Washing Line) was brought to Bristol through the Making Pals project in 2019. The project helped to grant wishes for older people living in care homes across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. and ran until 2023. This project is no longer active.
The idea was simple: residents of a care home would write down a wish they would like granted, which we would then display across local community centres, supermarkets, volunteer hubs and online, to be granted by members of the community.
Wishes could be as simple as:
“I would like to have tea and cake with someone who lives nearby”
“I would like to visit the arboretum”
“I would like to discuss gardening tips with someone from a different generation” and other simple but meaningful wishes.
Or they can be slightly more elaborate, including these wishes we granted when the project last ran:
“I would like to fly a plane.” – Watch | Facebook
“I want to be arrested.” – Anne, 104, ‘arrested’ for being an upstanding citizen – BBC News
How did it help and what was our vision?
Our vision was to help grant the wishes of older people living in care homes across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset, no matter how big or small, and make them feel a part of the community again.
Older people have the same wild and wacky wishes as the rest of us. The project not only helped to change perceptions of life in care homes, but encouraged members of the community to connect with residents who may not have received any regular visitors; supporting people to come forward and make a big difference to the lives of older people in care homes near them.
If you wish to find out more about Wishing Washing Line West, please send your enquiry to info@aliveactivities.org.