A resident at RMBI Care Co. Home Zetland Court, in Bournemouth, has celebrated her 101st birthday. 

Joycelyn Mills enjoyed a celebration complete with a homemade cake at the care home with fellow residents, who toasted with a glass of champagne. Staff were determined to ensure that she had a memorable birthday, so they safely arranged this tea party for her. As the resident is from Wales, staff members decorated Zetland Court’s summer house with Welsh flags, banners and inflatable dragons. Joycelyn also spent some time with her two daughters, Jocelyn and Ann, who were delighted to share this special day with their mum. 

Joycelyn was born in Barry, South Wales, on 15 June 1920. She ran a small business with her husband and were part of the community, but in 1982 they moved to Bournemouth to be closer to family. She says: “I’ve had a very happy life, especially these last years, looking after grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I now have a great-great-granddaughter that I am longing to hold.”

When asked about her secret for a long life, she simply said: “Hard work!” However, her advice for younger generations is to enjoy life as much as possible. 

Despite the pandemic, Joycelyn has coped really well during the past year. She said: “It’s been difficult without family around, but the staff have been wonderful and kept me going.”

Karen Casey, Activities Coordinator at Zetland Court, said: “Joy by name and joy by nature! She is an amazing lady with a great sense of humour. When she held one of the inflatable Welsh dragons, she said: ‘When people see us, they will ask which one is me and which one is the dragon.’”