Onwards and Upwards: Freida’s New Beginning at Thistle Court Care Home

When Freida Jones was asked to share her story, she didn’t just answer questions. She sat down with pen and paper, and hand wrote every single word. Each page carries her voice, her memories, and her heart.

Her story is one of love, loss, and an undeniable strength.

Freida’s story began with challenge. As a baby, she was raised by her aunt and uncle, believing they were her parents until the age of nine, a truth that reshaped her childhood. Yet, through those early difficulties, she grew into a woman defined by kindness, warmth, and an unshakable sense of care for others. Caring for people has always been at the centre of Freida’s life. She always had fondness for older people and for those with special needs. That deep compassion led her into her work as a career.

For many years, Freida worked in care homes, saying “I never get tired of their company.” Freida gave people the most precious gift she could, her time and her heart. Beyond her professional life, she volunteered with the Red Cross, once laying a wreath at the Cenotaph on their behalf, a moment she’ll never forget. Her compassion extended far beyond the UK. In 2013, during a trip to Gambia, Freida met a young girl named Fatu. Moved by her spirit and determination, she decided to fund Fatu’s education through school and college, a gift that changed another life forever

But life was not without heartbreak. At just 34, she lost her first husband to bowel cancer after caring for him devotedly through his illness. Her children became her anchor, helping her find the strength to keep going. Years later, she remarried and built a new chapter of happiness, but at 60, tragedy struck again when her second husband passed from the same disease. She cared for him at home for seven months, never leaving his side. Through every loss, Freida’s love and resilience never wavered.

No matter what life has thrown her way, Freida has always found the strength to keep moving, guided by her simple motto: “Onwards and upwards.” It was her way of reminding herself that no matter how dark the day, she could still rise again.

As her health began to decline, living alone became harder. Managing her diabetes and daily tasks grew overwhelming, and after a hospital stay in June 2024, doctors advised she couldn’t safely return home. When Thistle Court Care Home was mentioned, Freida felt an instant sense of certainty. That was it,” she says. “I knew this was where I wanted to be. Thistle Court was my chosen home because it was Dementia care based. I felt that I would be able to offer support and help to those who needed it. I have always worked with dementia patients, and I wanted to continue helping those who needed it.”

In her quieter moments, Freida loves to keep her hands busy and her mind at ease. Reading, knitting, beading, and card-making. Moving to Thistle Court has given her the space and support to enjoy them again, without the worries and struggles of living alone. She has found kindness, and a team who truly care.

For Freida, Thistle Court has been a fresh beginning. “Now I am at Thistle Court, and my life has just begun, so onwards and upwards,”

At Thistle Court, residents (who they fondly refer to as family members) like Freida aren’t just cared for, they are supported to live fully, to keep their independence where they can, and to embrace each day. It’s more than a care home. It’s a place where life can begin again.

To read the full story, please visit Onwards and Upwards: The Story of Freida Jones - Thistle Court Care Home

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