An 86-year-old resident named Muriel from a Durham care home has captured hearts in a delightful video, where she shares her fondness for suet bacon rolls and offers sage advice to younger folks with both humour and sincerity.
WATCH: The DurhamGate Resident Feature: Muriel
Born in 1938 and originally from the mining village of Willington, Muriel Suddick was given the star treatment in The DurhamGate Care Home’s first ‘Resident Feature Film’, with the care home even hosting its own movie premiere screening in the newly built cinema room.
Asked in the video if there was any advice that she would give to the younger generation, Muriel said:
“Well, show respect. Be honest, be kind.”
She then had the room roaring with laughter at her thoughts on the way that young people dress: “… and dress properly! If my husband was alive and saw the way that people dress now, he would have something to say. He would!”
Muriel also shared her love for bacon suet rolls, reminiscing of the type that her mother used to make when she was growing up in the 1940’s:
“I remember my mother making an apple one and a mince and onion one. So, when I came here (The DurhamGate Care Home) and they said there’s a suet bacon roll, I thought ‘oh that’s lovely”.
The video drew praise across social media, with a wide range of heartfelt comments on The DurhamGate’s Facebook page:
“Aw Muriel this is adorable. It’s had me in tears. Such a wonderful lady.”
“Lovely lovely lady. I’m pleased she is so happy with you. Thank you to all the staff for the care you give.”
“Muriel you were amazing..I had a tear watching this”
Karen Johnson, the General Manager of The DurhamGate Care Home, said:
“We absolutely love Muriel here at The DurhamGate, her smile can light up a room. And so, we couldn’t think of anyone more suited than her to be the star of the show in our very first Resident Feature Film.
It’s so important that we continue to listen to and learn from our older generation. They have countless stories to share and can offer such an interesting perspective on things.
So, we’re proud to be part of helping our residents share their stories!”
The DurhamGate’s ‘Resident Feature Film’ series is a new initiative from the care home to celebrate the stories of its residents.
The care home opened in November 2023, and prides itself in putting the residents at the heart of everything that it does.
