Ruth's story

When Rachel and Mike Berry discussed getting married, Rachel insisted this would only ever happen if her mum Ruth Ogden could be present to witness it.

As Ruth is sadly living with Alzheimer’s disease, it would have been impossible for her to attend the registry office to see the couple tie the knot, so Rachel and Mike decided to bring the wedding to her.

They recently had their wedding blessed at Foxhunters after hot footing it from the registry office and Ruth, supported by members of staff Vicki and Debbie, was able to watch her daughter marry Mike from the comfortable and familiar surroundings which have been her home since moving to Foxhunters in July 2024.

“Mike and I have been together for ten years. but it was only over the last few years that we began talking about getting married,” says Rachel.

“My Dad Ray died 11 years ago and then Mum came to Foxhunters so I said to Mike that I would only get married if she could be there and thankfully, we were able to make this happen and it was a very special day all round.”

Ray and Ruth were childhood sweethearts and hailed from Yorkshire, with Ray being “the biggest Leeds United fan going” according to Rachel.

The couple and their son Simon moved to Wales when Ruth was pregnant with Rachel and they ran a family business selling water meters which is still going today with Rachel, Simon and Simon’s wife Emma at the helm.

Ruth and Ray lived in Monmouth but after Ray’s death and over recent years, Ruth was finding it increasingly difficult to be at home, and then her Alzheimer’s was officially diagnosed.

Simon and Rachel then began looking for care homes for their Mum.

“Simon did lot of research and when we visited Foxhunters, we thought immediately that it was the right place for her,” explains Rachel.

“We then took Mike and Emma for a second opinion and they agreed. You could just see could just see how well the residents were treated and how they were able to come and go as they please.”

Just over one year later, and wedding venue aside, the family definitely know they made the right decision by choosing Foxhunters.

Rachel adds: “All the staff are fantastic and there’s not one member we don’t know regardless of their role at the home.

“You always get the feeling when you are in the home that they are looking after you and not just your loved ones.

“Even when I have a little cry when I am leaving because mum’s not been the same, they put their arm around you and make you feel better.

“We certainly never saw that level of care in any of the other homes we visited and that’s what makes Foxhunters the special place it is.”

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