Dave, the Edensor Care Home cat almost missed his own first birthday party when he went missing
Residents and staff of the Edensor Care home in Clacton on Sea were sick with worry when their beloved cat went missing on 6 March, the day before his first birthday.
They had been planning this special cat’s birthday party for weeks and were so upset when he hadn’t been seen for over 24 hours.
Dave is no ordinary cat. He joined the Care Centre when all the residents were given the opportunity to ask for a wish in early 2021. Resident Diane Groom asked for ‘a cat to care for and love’ and much to her surprise a beautiful kitten that the home named Dave arrived.
Over the past year Dave has really made himself at home. He loves, sleeping on the Manager’s chair, cuddles from the residents and staff and lots of lovely food from all his admirers.
Lindsey Milliken, Deputy Manager, Edensor Care Centre, said, “We had been planning Dave’s party for weeks so when we discovered that no one had seen him for over 24 hours, which was totally out of character for him, we hastily made posters and I set off scouring the local area to find him. What a relief it was when he finally reappeared later that day, tired and very hungry and we could have his party.”
Dave, who appeared on the BBC news in June 2021 and became the star of one of their top five most watched videos, has his own Instagram page ‘DiagramaDave’ and has received cards from all over the country. The Care Home presented him with a birthday cake and a selection of new toys, and the Home was delighted to receive a portrait of Dave painted by a WWII veteran who loves animals.
Lindsey continued, “Dave has really made a difference to everyone here and we are so relieved that he is home. Seeing the residents faces light up when he is about is magical, and he brings immense joy and happiness to residents and staff. Many of the phone calls we receive from prospective new residents ask if we still have Dave – he really is a star.”
Many of the residents at Edensor have dementia, this is what Dave means to them. Sue: “I love Dave and I hope he has a very long life.” Maureen: “It feels like my own home seeing Dave. I love the fact that he is famous.” Shirley: “I am so excited to see Dave ever day….I am more excited that he is becoming more famous than Clacton Pier.” Chaz: “I think it’s great having Dave around Edensor I love to hear he is famous. Today Clacton tomorrow the world.” Diane: “I love him so much.”
To find out more about the Edensor Care Centre which is run by the charity Diagrama visit www.diagramafoundation.org.uk
About The Diagrama Foundation
The Diagrama Foundation is a Kent based charity that supports vulnerable children, young people, and adults to live their best life.
The charity has a Supported Living Service across Bromley, three small homes, for adults with learning disabilities in Orpington, a 50-bed care home for the elderly with nursing and dementia needs in Essex, two homes for vulnerable young people in Canterbury, and a fostering and adoption service covering the southeast.
- The Supported Living Service, cares for 35 adults with learning disabilities, in nine homes in Bromley helping them to develop skills and confidence to live in their own house either on their own or with others.
- At Cabrini House in Orpington the charity promotes the development of core skills for adults with learning disabilities so that they can lead independent lives integrated within their community.
- The team at their nursing and dementia care home Edensor in Clacton on Sea, support their vulnerable residents to live life to the full.
- In Canterbury the team promote the development of key life skills for vulnerable young people aged 16 -24.
- The Diagrama adoption and fostering service cares for children in South London, Kent, Hampshire Sussex, and Surrey.
Many vulnerable children and adults don’t get the support they need to develop their true potential, but the Diagrama team know that when someone has time and belief invested in them, they come alive, because that investment has made them feel valued and worthy.
