Jill celebrates her milestone birthday at Little Bramingham Farm in luton

Resident shares her nursing memories on her special day.

At Little Bramingham Farm, the award-winning Luton-based residential care home run by charity, Friends of the Elderly, resident, Jill Samuel, has been celebrating her 95th birthday with her family and care home friends, and chatting about her rewarding and gratifying career as a Nurse.

Jill, who was born in St. Albans, made Little Bramingham Farm her home in January 2024, decided that the care home was the perfect place for her as it was not only close to her family, but also has a wonderful homely and welcoming atmosphere. “As soon as I visited Little Bramingham Farm, I immediately felt at home,” said Jill.

From an early age, Jill cared for her mother and knew that her calling was to become a Nurse and to care for, and look after, others. “I remember being a young girl when I decided that I not only wanted to, but needed to, have a career as a Nurse,” continued Jill. “Caring for my mother and being able to make daily positive and meaningful impacts, was so fulfilling for both of us and I truly believe that was one of the key factors for my choice of career.”

Jill enjoyed her school years, attending Dallow Road and Beech Hill schools in Luton. “I used to be quite sporty and loved nothing more than playing Netball, but throughout my school years, my head and heart were still focused on caring for others and becoming a Nurse,” added Jill.

Jill trained at Luton and Dunstable Hospital, which was famously opened on Valentine’s Day, 14th February, in 1930 by Queen Mary. “For my entire Nursing career, I worked at the hospital, mainly on the Surgical Wards,” continued Jill. “My favourite ward was the Women’s Surgical Ward. Helping other ladies recover from their operations and injuries and being able to help with their recovery journeys, seeing them leave the hospital feeling better and with a spring in their steps was priceless.”

Whilst Jill was training and working at Luton and Dunstable Hospital, she and her other Nurse friends were not permitted to go out in the evenings. “I must admit that rule didn’t stop me and my friends from having a good time. We were young and, I suppose, quite fearless at the time and would often climb out of the window to go dancing and have wonderful nights out.”

Jill married her husband, Roy, in 1952 at St. Mary’s Church in Luton and honeymooned in Cornwall and were happily married for 57 years. The loving couple had two daughters, and Jill is now a very proud grandmother to four grandchildren. “My family are my world. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for them and there’s nothing they wouldn’t do for me,” said Jill.

“Jill is such as special lady and it’s such an honour to have her living with us at Little Bramingham Farm,” continued Emma Lawrance, the Registered Manager at the Care Home. “Jill lights up every room she enters with her beautiful smile. It’s easy to guess she had a caring career as a Nurse as she’s so kind, considerate, and thoughtful and always makes sure she has time to have a chat with her care home friends and the care team.”

“I do have a nickname at the care home,” added Jill. “Everyone calls me ‘Matron’, which I quite like and do answer to, which makes me giggle.”

“Jill, our very own ‘Matron’, is a much-loved member of the Little Bramingham Farm family,” added Karen Charity, the care home’s Activity Coordinator. “She’s not only a very thoughtful and compassionate lady, but she has a great sense of humour.”

“I was chatting to one of the care team about celebrities the other day, and I happened to mention that I’d met the late, great Sir Bruce Forsyth when I was at The London Palladium watching Tom Jones perform. He was a charming chap, just like you’d imagine.”

“Jill has some amazing stories,” added Karen. “Not only did she meet Sir Bruce but also won a competition to go on a Caribbean cruise and has travelled to Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Hearing Jill’s nursing tales and travel stories is captivating; we could all listen to her anecdotes all day long.”

On her special day, Jill enjoyed a family get-together and celebratory lunch at her daughter’s house before spending time with her care home friends. “It’s Florence Nightingale’s 206th birthday this year, so I felt that it was important and quite poignant - and hopefully interesting - to share my own nursing experiences with the care team and my care home friends,” said Jill. “If I could go back in time and speak to my younger self, I’d say continue working as a Nurse and caring for others for as long as you can. There’s no job – or calling – like it.

“I had a marvellous 95th birthday and really hope that my care home friends enjoyed hearing all my about my Nursing exploits as much as I enjoyed telling them,” concluded Jill.