WHEN care manager Kerry Stevens realised that two of her charges were old friends but hadn't seen each other for ages she organised a special tea-for-two for the Verwood pensioners.

Kerry, who works for live-in care firm Promedica24, said she had not initially realised the two elderly ladies she was caring for were friends and had not seen each other for ten years.

Olive and Sheila, both aged 87 and living in Verwood, first met at Verwood Church of England School, where they became firm friends, said Kerry. "As they grew up, their friendship blossomed and Sheila and Olive both married and kept in touch."

She discovered that Sheila worked in a local grocery store and Olive supported her husband in his TV repair store and the friends would visit each other at work to ‘catch up’ and neither would miss special occasions, such as the birth of each other’s children.

"Olive had four children and Sheila two, and they also all went to the same school. However, as time passed, their children grew up and had their own families, and both Olive and Sheila’s husbands sadly passed away," she said.

The friends now both receive care and support from a care worker who lives with them in their own homes because Sheila is physically dependant on a hoist and is not able to get out on her own, and Olive has reduced mobility due to age related issues. They had only been able to

talk to each other on the phone, until Kerry organised a tea-party for the pair.

“When I realised that we cared for them both I couldn’t wait to organise a reunion," said Kerry. "It was so lovely to see their faces light up when they saw each other again, and now that both care workers have also met, they are going to meet monthly for afternoon tea.”

Sheila said: “I think about Olive daily, we spent years growing up together and have shared many fond memories.” Her friend said Sheila was 'in my prayers every night'. "It has been amazing to be able to visit and talk about the old days,” she said.