Pandemic couldn’t stop Sandy's Jill and Keith from being husband and wife!

Keith Spencer, 62, married his partner, Jill, 57, last autumn, as staff and residents in Handley Court went the extra mile to make the day special.

Keith, who has dementia, was keen to wed the love of his life whilst he still had the capacity to do so, and the couple were able to celebrate in line with government guidelines.

Jill said: “Our wedding was marvellous, it even turned into a weekend-long affair. We were able to have the ceremony at a local registry office on the Saturday with just close members of the family. The other residents knew that due to the coronavirus it wasn’t the day we originally had in mind, so they held a small, socially distanced reception for us in the communal lounge on the Sunday.

“It felt even more special after the year everyone has had because we know people have had their own personal struggles, so for the staff and residents to put so much time into celebrating our wedding was truly touching.”

Staff and residents decorated the communal lounge, baked a wedding cake and clubbed together to buy the bridal flowers, a button hole and a lovely wedding album.

Everyone was determined to help the couple make wonderful memories, as they knew Jill and Keith had been through a tough time.

The dementia diagnosis has left Keith unable to work, so the couple moved into their affordable home at Housing 21’s Handley Court (a retirement living scheme for over- 55s) where Jill knew they would make new friends and receive support.

Jill added: “Keith’s diagnosis was life changing. It makes you re-evaluate what’s important and we wanted to make the best memories while we could - that’s why we decided to get married. We’ve been together for 11 years and it just felt like the right time.”