Two lifelong friends who first met as schoolgirls aged 11 are now making memories at Rownhams Manor care home in Southampton, proving that true friendship really can last a lifetime.
Jan Harder and Margaret Dawkins first became friends while attending Regent’s Park School together. The pair often cycled to school side by side, with Margaret travelling from Freemantle and Jan from nearby Millbrook.
From dancing to rock ‘n’ roll classics such as “Twist ‘n Shout” and “Rock Around the Clock” to climbing out of bedroom windows onto flat roofs, the two shared countless adventures growing up together.
Reminiscing about the mischief they got up to in their youth, Jan said, “We met boys!”
Jan fondly recalled how her father was quite strict when she was younger, so whenever she was invited to the pictures by a boy, she would bring Margaret along as her trusted ‘wing woman’.
Meanwhile, Margaret admitted she always enjoyed visiting Jan’s house – not just to see her best friend, but because Jan’s older brothers were apparently “a bit of alright”!
The pair have stayed in touch throughout the years and often joked that one day they would end up spending time together in a care home. Now, that joke has become a reality.
When asked their tip on keeping a lifelong friendship, Jan said, “We both had gaps in our lives where we were having children and getting on with busy lives, but we stayed in contact on the phone.
“Seeing each other after a long time apart was like picking up where we left off as if it was yesterday. We will always stay friends as we know too much about each other!”
Jan and Margaret spend their days together at Rownhams Manor laughing and reminiscing about decades of friendship and unforgettable memories. Staff say their humour is razor-sharp and their laughter completely infectious.
Samantha Squibb, the General Manager at Rownhams Manor, added, “Jan and Margaret’s friendship reminds us all how important companionship is at every stage of life.
“We feel privileged to hear all of their stories and memories, and to be the place that made their vision of being in a care home together a reality!”
You can learn more about living at Rownhams Manor at the home’s weekly Sit and Share Sunday event, where all are welcome to enjoy a delicious Sunday Lunch with the residents.
To book your spot at the dinner table, call 02381102248, email [email protected] or visit www.crystalcarecollection.co.uk/care-homes/rownhams-manor/
Rownhams Manor care home in Southampton offers 24-hour residential, dementia and respite care for up to 66 people. With ensuite bedrooms, beautiful social spaces, and landscaped gardens, Rownhams Manor offers an inclusive fee to give peace of mind to its residents and families.
