Meet Betty Sims, aged 98 she is one of the remarkable residents who live at Resthaven in Pitchcombe, a residential and nursing home which is part of the Gloucestershire charity Lilian Faithfull Care.

She shares her story as part of the charity’s ‘Remarkable Lives’ project.

Age 12

Betty was born and brought up just off Barton Street in Gloucester. During WW2 she attended Ribston Hall High school in the morning; in the afternoon it was the turn of the evacuees from Birmingham.

Age 40

Betty, a keen hockey player, pianist and artist, trained as primary school teacher specialising in reception class age group. For 16 years she worked at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital developing and leading activities for preschool children, ensuring they didn’t miss out on their early education whilst in hospital.

She took part in a pilot at Durham University gaining a ‘higher diploma in the education of handicapped children ‘using art and music everywhere.’ She became Principal of a training college in Reading, training nursery nurses and those caring for sick children.

Age 98

Betty has lived at Resthaven for over two years and continues to share her talents, playing the piano for services in the chapel in the home. She has also created the art for the charity’s Christmas card this year. Her positive attitude is always at the fore; "You can't do anything about the past. You look forward to the future with hope."

Resthaven in Pitchcombe offers 24 hour residential and nursing care. This has the benefit of enabling care to adapt if people’s needs change or develop.

To find out more about the nursing and residential care offered call the Resthaven team on 01452 812682 or visit lilianfaithfull.co.uk

www.lilianfaithfull.co.uk/about-us/remarkable-lives