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Care home resident fulfils teenage dream by getting tattoo at 77

Helen Allen got the tattoo free of charge at a local tattoo studio.

Faizah Malik
Friday 28 April 2023 16:06 BST
Helen Allen getting a tattoo (Care UK/ Shaun Fellows)
Helen Allen getting a tattoo (Care UK/ Shaun Fellows)

A resident at a care home has seen her teenage dream come true after getting her first tattoo.

Helen Allen, 77, a resident at Care UK’s Foxland Grange home in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, has always wanted a tattoo since admiring one her late partner Keith Mitchell, a biker, had.

Thanks to an initiative set up by the team at Foxland Grange, where a ā€œWishing Treeā€ was installed which allows residents to suggest ideas for new things they would like to explore, Ms Allen’s dream became a reality.

With her design chosen, a small butterfly she has always admired was etched onto her right arm by Garth Cole-Jones, co-owner at Some’ink Different, a local tattoo studio in Telford, who offered the service free of charge.

ā€œI don’t know why I didn’t get it done sooner – or why people say it’s painful,ā€ she said.

ā€œAlthough it’s hard to describe the feeling, I wouldn’t call it painful. Garth, the tattooist, made me feel so at ease, and I couldn’t believe how quick it took.

ā€œI thoroughly enjoyed the experience.ā€

Chelsea May, director of community relations at Foxland Grange, said that when Ms Allen first brought up the idea of getting a tattoo, ā€œit was a real surpriseā€, but also something they ā€œcouldn’t wait to start organisingā€ for her.

ā€œHere at Foxland Grange, we like to help residents complete lifelong wishes. We encourage residents to dream big and share their hopes and ambitionsā€, she added.

ā€œWe hope Helen inspires others to make their dreams a reality, no matter their age.ā€

Ms May said that the Wishing Tree at the care home encouraged residents to live fulfilling lives – from flying a plane to a fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small.

ā€œI would like to thank tattooist Garth and the team for helping to organise the wish – this is one butterfly that Helen can keep forever,ā€ added Ms May.

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