When a residential care centre in Clacton needed help to create a 1960’s train carriage, a TV and film set builder stepped in to make seating for the carriage that wouldn’t look out of place in an Oscar winning blockbuster.
Edensor Care Centre in Clacton-on-Sea wanted to create a vintage railway carriage to improve the wellbeing of its residents. The three vintage-style compartments were designed to allow COVID safe visits for up to three separate families at any one time, as well as supporting those with memory loss by creating an environment from an era that they may well remember.
The work on the train carriage has been carried out by members of the in-house maintenance team, but they needed help to create seating that would fit in with the era. When they approached award-winning TV and film set builder, Dave Blacker, they were amazed and delighted when he offered his time and expertise for free.
Dave Blacker, who worked on the set of Kenneth Branagh’s film Murder on the Orient Express was perfectly placed to create the seating for the train carriage. He said, “I was delighted to support the charity Diagrama. I have been building sets for TV and films for thirty years and when I was approached to see if I could help, I didn’t hesitate to volunteer my time for this important project which will allow the residents to meet their families in a comfortable COVID safe environment.”
At a time when residents haven’t been able to see their families for so long, it has given staff and residents a much needed boost.
Muhammed Neeliyath, Residential Manager, Edensor Care Centre, said, “The train carriage will make a huge difference to the Edensor residents and their families. All our residents have now received their Coronavirus vaccines so this new space will give residents and their families somewhere beautiful to meet regularly and safely once more.”
