Last Updated on September 16, 2022
Preparations are being made for the state funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II when the nation will say a final farewell to Britain's longest-reigning monarch.
Social care providers, residents, and leaders of care organisations have continued to share their tributes this week.
Staff and residents at Fleetwood Hall Care Home have been mourning and paying tribute to the Queen all week. Following the sad news of Her Majesty’s death, residents have been sharing their stories and memories.
Joanne Warren, Manager of Fleetwood Hall Care Home, a specialist residential and dementia care home in the heart of Fleetwood in Lancashire, said, ‘Everyone in the home has been very moved about the passing of The Queen. Throughout the period of mourning, we have spent time following the events on television and paying our respects throughout the Queen’s final journey from Scotland to London. We have also spent time creating a memorial display, which included crafts and memory hearts. We have loved listening to the stories of our residents and hearing their special memories of The Queen. This week we had a small afternoon tea during the Queen’s procession through London. On Monday we are planning to watch the funeral together as a home to pay our last respects together.
‘Our chefs are busy creating a full homemade afternoon tea in honour of Queen Elizabeth II and we’ll have some quiet time for everyone to sit, reflect and reminisce on the last seventy years.’
Care home resident, Derek, 95, met the Queen while serving in the Navy.
Reflecting on the time he met the Queen, Derek said, ‘I was part of the crew on HMS Vanguard in 1947 when the Royal family travelled to South Africa. I was Seaman and on board for the 14-day trip were King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth (who at the time was soon to become Queen Elizabeth II) and Princess Margret. Our Captain was Rear Admiral Agnew.
‘We arrived in Cape Town, South Africa on 17th February 1947. While travelling over I can remember watching Princess Elizabeth playing rounders on board. I never joined in the games, but I enjoyed getting a glimpse of this side of the Royal Family. I interacted and spoke with Princess Elizabeth on many occasions and remember how kind and gentle she was and how very approachable she was.’
Kenneth, 91, met the Queen when she visited Church Fenton Airfield in Leeds.
Speaking about his time in the RAF Kenneth said, ‘I was at Church Fenton Airbase in Selby, North of York, when Queen Elizabeth II was due to arrive. I was a heavy goods driver for the RAF at the time. We were told to expect her and that we were under instructions to keep a low profile.
‘Several others and I stood peeping between the bowsers to try and catch a glimpse of her arrival. Queen Elizabeth II arrived on the airbase in a large shiny black car, and when she arrived all the Army and RAF personnel stood to attention as she passed. She was checking our RAF uniforms to make sure we had nothing out of place, and I can remember her being truly great and very lovely. She will be missed by so many people.’
Chapel House Care, which offers residential, nursing and dementia care in Puddington, Cheshire has also been remembering HM Queen Elizabeth II.
Keith Ley, Home Manager for both homes, said, ‘It is with great sadness that we learnt about the death of The Queen. It doesn’t seem very long ago that we were all celebrating her Jubilee and listening to lots of stories from our residents.
‘The Queen devoutly filled her public duties throughout her reign, and age was no barrier to her. She was an inspiration for so many older people and challenged the stereotype that you can’t make a difference in your later life.
‘In both of our homes, our residents have been avidly watching the television coverage all week. On the day of the funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday, we are planning to watch it all together. We have also organised a lovely wake buffet with homemade food and commemorative flags.’
Excelcare family has joined thousands of others across the country in paying their respects and honouring the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, in their 32 care homes as well as in their Support and four regional offices.
All homes and offices have held an afternoon tea in the Queen’s honour, donning the room with bunting and serving a selection of the Queen’s favourite foods. There were, of course, marmalade sandwiches as well, to reminisce on the time the Queen shared some with Paddington Bear. On Monday 12th September the Excelcare family also joined thousands across the country as they stood at their doorsteps, gardens and balconies for five-minute national applause in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, welcoming family and friends to join them via social media.
And on Monday 19th September each home will be welcoming relatives and key community members across the group to watch the funeral procession together.
‘A lifetime of flawless public service’
The National Care Association (NCA) paid tribute to the Queen's public service and ability to unite a nation.
‘After a lifetime of flawless public service, Queen Elizabeth II has passed on the reins to her beloved son. Her capacity to unite the nation was unrivalled so her loss at this challenging time leaves a void which will need to be filled.
‘The grief we all feel today is a testament to her as it shows our love for her as our monarch, a world leader and an inspirational individual. May her soul rest in peace.
‘Our thoughts are also with King Charles III as he deals with his personal grief whilst preparing to take on the role of our monarch.’
‘Unreserved commitment to care’
Professor Vic Rayner OBE, Chief Executive Officer of the National Care Forum (NCF), said, ‘We mourn with the nation in our loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who has been a model of dedicated service for over 70 years. As the patron of many of our member organisations she has demonstrated unreserved commitment to care, charity and community through her ongoing patronage and her previous patronage of members.
‘Many of the people in care will be thinking about her and remembering the huge part she has been in all of their lives and how key chapters in their lives have been shaped, influenced and in harmony with key elements of her reign – from her wedding, coronation, jubilees, children, annual Queen speeches and many more. Care settings have always marked these moments with love and gratitude for her dedication and service and will be deeply saddened by the news of her death at this time.
‘Our thoughts are with her family and King Charles III as he takes to his new responsibility as monarch and King.’
‘Long and distinguished reign’
Care England, on behalf of its Chief Executive Officer, Professor Martin Green, said, ‘Care England is saddened by the death of Her Majesty the Queen. We will always be grateful for her support to so many charities and care services over her long and distinguished reign. We send our condolences to HM the King and all the Royal Family.’
Dr Jane Townson, Chief Executive Officer of the Homecare Association, said, ‘Rest in peace, Your Majesty. Thank you for your incredible service over so many years. Nobody could have been more dedicated and hardworking. Your warmth, humanity and sense of humour lifted our spirits.’
‘A source of hope and stability’
Richard Murray, Chief Executive of The King’s Fund, said, ‘It is with great sadness that we learnt of the death of Her Majesty the Queen.
‘The Queen had been Patron of The King’s Fund since the start of her reign. In that time, the UK has seen great gains in life expectancy, medical innovations have saved the lives of millions, and most recently The Queen was a source of hope and stability as Covid-19 spread across the UK and the wider world.
‘Our thoughts are with His Majesty King Charles III and the rest of the Royal Family. We are thankful for the extraordinary life and work of The Queen.’
‘Indebted to her service’
Hospice UK shared its tribute and said, ‘It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. We extend our deepest condolences to the Royal Family and to everyone affected by this news.
‘The whole hospice, palliative and end-of-life care movement will forever be indebted to her service. We are grateful for the support shown by The Queen to Hospice UK and Help the Hospices. She opened Hospice House in 2000 and was the guest of honour at our 25th anniversary celebrations in 2009. She visited countless hospices across the UK during her reign.’
‘Loyalty to her United Kingdom’
The Local Government Association (LGA), on behalf of its Chairman, James Jamieson, said, ‘On behalf of all councils across England and Wales, I’d like to express our sincere condolences to the whole Royal Family on the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. I have today written to His Majesty The King following the news.
‘Her Majesty’s dedication to every one of us, alongside her continuous hard work and loyalty to her United Kingdom, was clear to see throughout her life.
‘Her high regard for local government was also truly reflective in her focus and appreciation of councils’ work and determination in her annual Queen’s Speeches.
‘Councils have been proud to serve Her Majesty throughout her reign and will continue to do so by now putting into place local arrangements to support the public in expressing their own sympathies.
‘These arrangements will include the opening of both public and virtual books of condolence, ensuring flags are flown at half mast, and overseeing arrangements for the laying of flowers in public areas.’
‘Celebration of the Queen’s life’
Learning disability charity, Dimensions said, ‘Rest in peace HM Queen Elizabeth II. We share in the country's celebration of the Queen's life and extend our condolences to the Royal Family at this difficult time.’
‘Devout public servant’
The Relatives and Residents Association said, ‘We are saddened by this news. The Queen was a devout public servant, our longest-serving monarch, and a great matriarch. She was an inspiration to many older people and to us all. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time.’
‘Thoughts are with the public here and around the world’
The Association of Mental Health Providers said, ‘We send our condolences to the Queen's family as they mourn her passing. Our thoughts are also with the public affected here and around the world.
‘In respect of the Days of Mourning, we will be pausing our communications for the near future.’
‘Highest regard’
General Sir Adrian Bradshaw KCB OBE DL, Governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, said, ‘On behalf of the Chelsea Pensioners, Commissioners, and all staff at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, I would like to pass on our sincere condolences to the Royal Family at this deeply distressing time. The whole military community will be in mourning for the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. The Pensioners held their Queen in the very highest regard and were all immensely proud to serve and protect their country under her 70-year long reign.’
‘Genuine support and enthusiasm for the veteran community’
Royal Star & Garter has paid tribute to its Patron, Her Majesty The Queen as the sad news of her death.
Royal Star & Garter provide loving, compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia, with Homes in Solihull, Surbiton and High Wycombe. The charity was established in 1916 to care for severely disabled young men returning from WWI battlegrounds and was based in Richmond until 2013.
Her Majesty became Royal Star & Garter’s Patron in 1953, following the death of her grandmother Queen Mary, and made several visits to the Richmond Home.
Expressing his deepest sympathies to the entire Royal Family, Major General Tyler said, ‘Her Majesty The Queen’s role as our Patron was just one aspect of a reign characterised by support for good causes and devotion to public service.’
He explained that The Queen’s visits to Royal Star & Garter demonstrated ‘genuine support and enthusiasm for the veteran community and our important work.’
He continued, ‘As a veteran herself, Her Majesty had a natural affinity with our residents. Always a proud advocate of the Armed Forces community, The Queen’s support for Royal Star & Garter never wavered. It was an honour and privilege to have had Her Majesty’s patronage.’
The news of the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II is a cause of great sadness to all of us at CMM. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the Royal family and everyone around the world united at this difficult time. Thank you for your dedicated service and commitment to care, charity, and community, Your Majesty. You were a beacon of hope to so many and you will be truly missed.