Back on the Ice: Jill’s Return to Skating with Support from Whiteford House Staff
Staff at Whiteford House have been getting to know what truly makes their residents tick. One such resident is the incredible Jill, who was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease and has recently been back on the ice, returning to a passion she once knew so well as a figure skating instructor.
At Whiteford House, staff pride themselves on getting to know each resident as an individual – their stories, their interests, and what brings them happiness. It was during one of these conversations that Craig, a member of the Whiteford House team discovered Jill’s remarkable connection to ice skating.
Jill first began skating at the Magnum Centre when she was just five years old. Encouraged by her parents, she spent countless hours on the ice, later training under a former Olympic medallist. Skating quickly became her passion and profession, and she went on to teach for many years, helping others build confidence and balance on the ice.
After being diagnosed with Huntington’s disease at the age of 40, Jill eventually had to stop skating. Despite that, her love for the sport never faded, and she often spoke fondly about her time as an instructor.
The opportunity to return to the ice came about when carer Craig, who used to play ice hockey, struck up a conversation with Jill about their shared interest in skating. What began as a bit of chat soon led to a plan to help Jill revisit something that had once been such a big part of her life.
“When Jill talked about her time as an instructor, you could see how much it meant to her,” Craig said. “It was clearly a big part of her identity, and I wanted to see if we could bring a bit of that back.”
With support from the home’s management, Megan Borthwick, Craig began exploring how they could make it happen safely. The team reached out to the Galleon Centre in Kilmarnock, who were more than happy to help. The staff at the centre went above and beyond to ensure everything was safe, comfortable, and fully accessible.
“The team at the Galleon were fantastic,” Craig said. “They made sure we had everything we needed and couldn’t have been more supportive. It made the whole experience really easy and enjoyable for both of us.”
For Jill, the visit was a success from the moment she arrived. Being back on the ice, in the same kind of environment she knew so well, brought back fond memories of her years teaching. So much so, they ended up staying on the ice nearly two hours.
“It was brilliant, I had great fun,” Jill said. “We set up obstacles like I did when I was teaching, and I always look forward to going back.”
Now, after so many years away, Jill is back where she belongs. She and Craig have returned to the Galleon Centre several times since their first visit, often setting up small obstacle runs just like the ones Jill used when teaching her students. The visits have become a highlight for both Jill and the Whiteford House team.
Jill’s story is an amazing example of how the staff at Whiteford House deliver person-centred care in practice, finding ways to make activities meaningful, not just routine. It reflects the home’s wider focus on helping residents maintain their individuality, independence, and sense of purpose.
“We’re proud of our team for always going the extra mile and helping make sure that life at Whiteford House is as fun as we can make it,” said the home’s manager, Megan Borthwick.
The team also extended their thanks to the staff at the Galleon Centre for their support and enthusiasm in helping make Jill’s return to the ice possible.
At Enhance Healthcare, moments like this are what define the company’s approach across all its homes. By understanding each person’s story and building experiences around what matters to them, Enhance’s teams create care that’s not only supportive but truly enriching. Well done to Jill and Craig, and to the whole Whiteford House team!
