A PRESCRIPTION with a difference has turned around the life of one Malpas resident.
Audrey Thomas, 88, has overcome loneliness after being housebound for several months, thanks to the GPs at Laurel Bank Surgery and charity Brightlife.
The pioneering “social prescribing” service helped Audrey find local activities that she might enjoy and that would help her to meet new people – including an art club and a creative writing class, both run by the Brightlife-funded social enterprise, Community Compass.
Audrey was so grateful for the many new friends that she met through these new activities, she penned a heartfelt letter and poem to thank her GP, Dr Emma Taylor, and district nurse Gill Evans for referring her to Brightlife.
“The poem is true – she has always been a sociable type but in recent years she had become more and more reclusive, which was so unlike her,” said Audrey’s daughter, Sue Wilks.
“Thanks to Brightlife she is back to her old self again, but with more confidence because she’s found these new hobbies and friends.
“When I last saw her it was all she talked about!”
Audrey's letter and poem
Dear Dr Taylor and Sister Gill Evans
My name’s Audrey. I’m 88 and live in Malpas.
After a visit to Laurel Bank Surgery Malpas earlier this year, you referred me into Brightlife. I wanted to say a special ‘thank you’ to you – so I’ve written you a poem!
You’ve both given me my life back, may I say
Not with medicines in the usual way
Oh no!
You referred me to Brightlife
You’ve changed my life from what it had become
I just sat around just feeling glum
But that was before
You referred me to Brightlife
The first time I made a collage; tulips orange and red
“I see your granddaughter’s been” my carer said!
But now I’m getting better
Because you referred me to Brightlife!
I’ve learnt to write poetry, not just in rhyme
I’m loving it – writing it all of the time
How thankful I am
That you referred me to Brightlife!
I’ve started art lessons in Tilston Hall
In almost 89 years I’d never sketched at all
But I’m sketching now...
Thanks to Brightlife!
I’ve made new friends – met old ones too
So many, many thanks I send to you
I’ve got my life back!
Because you referred me to Brightlife
(AND I’ve found plenty of scrabble partners!)
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article