Bowled over by Caremark

Shirley Shotliff is living proof that you are never too old to learn something new and the 92-year-old grandmother has certainly become ‘bowled over’ by her new favourite pastime. Shirley had never picked up a bowling ball in her life until she started going to the Hollywood Bowl in Teesside with the support of Caremark Redcar and Cleveland.

But now, she is there every other week and with a recent record of three ‘spares’ in a row (and even a trophy to her name), she is now in pursuit of her first-ever ‘strike’.

The idea to take up bowling came from Shirley’s main carer, Kerry-Anne Silk-Reeves.

Knowing Shirley, from Guisborough, has several community-based calls as part of her care package, Kerry-Anne suggested she tried her hand at ten-pin bowling and now the grandmother-of-ten is completely hooked.

“I have never bowled before in my life but now I can’t wait for the next game,” says Shirley.

“It’s not just the satisfaction of knocking down the pins but I enjoy the social side too as Kerry-Anne and I always have a good natter and put the worlds to rights while we play.”

Caremark Redcar and Cleveland Managing Director Michelle Jackson says Shirley is a great example of how people can benefit from the range of services they offer.

“Homecare is now so much more than making a meal or helping someone in and out of bed at home each day,” she explains.

“Our community calls get people out and about so it boosts their mental and physical wellbeing and we also have our dog therapy service and activity-based Safe Place initiative in the community, at which Shirley is also a regular attendee.

“We have christened Shirley The Queen of Caremark – she is a real inspiration to us all.”

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