A touching reunion has taken place at HC-One Wales’s Cwrt-Clwydi-Gwyn Care Home in Skewen, Neath, where colleagues went above and beyond to reunite two sisters, Brenda Medway and Kathleen ‘Kay’ Clement, who had not seen each other for several years.
Brenda Medway, aged 93, a resident at HC-One Wales’s Cwrt-Clwydi-Gwyn Care Home since March 2023, had long expressed her desire to reconnect with her older sister, Kay, aged 101, whom she believed was living in a care home in the Sketty area. Despite the best efforts of the care team to locate her, initial attempts proved unsuccessful.
Tomos Lovell, Senior Carer at Cwrt-Clwydi-Gwyn Care Home wanted to continue the search in his own time. A simple internet search late one evening led to a breakthrough – an article about a 101-year-old woman named Kathleen ‘Kay’ Clement, who had recently been re-awarded a military medal she had lost.
The most astonishing part was that Kay was living just five miles away at The Old Vicarage Nursing Home in Tonna. When shown the article, Brenda immediately recognised her sister and was overwhelmed with emotion.
Colleagues at Cwrt-Clwydi-Gwyn Care Home then worked closely with The Old Vicarage to arrange a surprise reunion. On Tuesday, May 20, with the support of Tomos Lovell, Senior Carer and Kaylie Watkins, Wellbeing Coordinator at Cwrt-Clwydi-Gwyn Care Home, Brenda made the short journey to see her sister Kay.
The emotional visit was filled with laughter, joy, and tender moments. Kay recognised her “little sister” and shared warm memories. The pair spent time chatting, laughing, and exchanging stories as if no time had passed.
Brenda Medway, HC-One Wales’s Cwrt-Clwydi-Gwyn Care Home resident, said:
“She’s still wicked as ever — she hasn’t changed a bit!”
They parted with hugs, smiles, and the promise of another visit soon. Brenda, who has no immediate family left other than her sister, expressed deep gratitude to the care home team for making her long-standing wish come true.
Tomos Lovell, Senior Carer at HC-One Wales’s Cwrt-Clwydi-Gwyn Care Home,
commented:
“This reunion truly embodies what person-centred care means. It’s about listening, caring, and making the impossible possible. Seeing Brenda and Kay together again reminded all of us why we do what we do.
“We’re incredibly proud of our team and thankful to The Old Vicarage for welcoming us with such kindness.”
Plans are now in motion for regular visits so the sisters can continue to reconnect and share more precious time together.