Florals and fresh starts at Milford House. Meet Margaret.

Margaret is coming back to life in paint. Since arriving at Milford House after a short hospital stay, she’s been gently finding her feet, and recently, something beautiful has begun to unfold. What started as a quiet conversation about boredom quickly turned into a rediscovery of purpose and joy. This is a story about memory, creativity, and the quiet power of doing what we love. This is Margaret’s story…

Margaret is one of our newer residents here at Milford House. Before joining us, she had been living independently at home, followed by a short stay in hospital. Since settling into Milford House, we’ve loved getting to know more about her, and we recently uncovered something very special.

One quiet morning last week, Margaret shared with us that she had been feeling a little bored. We sat down for a chat, and that’s when she told us about her life before Milford House. Margaret used to be a commercial artist for the well-known department store ‘Binns’. Her role involved designing and arranging shop windows and planning the layout of the store. She was full of creativity and had a real eye for detail.

As we continued talking, Margaret mentioned how much she used to enjoy painting in her spare time. That little spark of joy in her voice gave us an idea. We gathered some paints, brushes, and a fresh new art book for her to use whenever inspiration struck.

Margaret got to work almost straight away. Her very first painting was of a delicate bouquet of flowers. She told us that floral scenes are her favourite to paint, and it’s easy to see why; each brushstroke is filled with life and colour. It was a quiet moment of happiness, and she even signed and dated her work, just like she used to.

Margaret has shared that painting brings her a sense of calm and joy. It’s become a beautiful way to spend her afternoons, especially after her partner, Anthony, has gone home for the day. He visits most days, and their bond is heartwarming to see. Margaret laughs and says she doesn’t usually paint while he’s around – she wouldn’t want to “bore him”! But on the days he’s unable to visit, painting provides her with a comforting distraction and something truly meaningful to focus on.

‘I love it here, the people make me laugh and feel comfortable. I’d say it’s the people here that make it. It’s great to be doing some artwork again, it makes me feel good’.

Margaret’s story is a lovely example of how Montessori-inspired care helps residents rediscover old passions and regain a sense of purpose. By offering meaningful activities based on each individual’s history and interests, we create opportunities for connection, confidence, and joy, and that’s what Milford Care is all about.

For more information about Milford House and how they can help your loved one, contact 01332 841752 or email them at milford@milfordcare.co.uk.