Leeds United superfan becomes first resident at new Leeds care home
Lifelong Richmond Hill resident, Alan Pickering, has swapped his former home for a new chapter at Elland Court
A Leeds United superfan, whose roots in Richmond Hill stretch back to childhood, has become the very first resident at a new £8million care home in Osmondthorpe.
Alan Pickering, 80, was given the opportunity to choose his own room at Elland Court Care Home, part of Yorkshire-based Fisher Care Group.
Staying true to his love of football, he chose a room overlooking a Sunday League football pitch, named in honour of legendary former Leeds United manager Don Revie.
To make his arrival even more special, the team at Elland Court presented Alan with a Leeds United shirt bearing the number 47, his room number, alongside a club scarf.
Alan said, “It means a lot to me to stay in Richmond Hill, close to the community I’ve been part of all my life. I’ve spent so many years here, and it’s lovely to know I can still enjoy the familiar places and see people I know.
“I was delighted to be able to choose my own room, especially one overlooking a football pitch – you can’t take the football out of me!
“The team have made me feel so welcome, and the Leeds United shirt and scarf were a brilliant surprise. It’s a lovely touch and makes me feel even more at home.”
Alan’s move to Elland Court also means he can remain close to the community he has always called home. Born and bred in the area, he met his childhood sweetheart, Joan, at primary school, and the couple went on to share 50 years of marriage. His new home is just a stone’s throw from the house they shared before Joan sadly passed away.
Before retiring, Alan ran a successful local taxi business, Alan’s Cabs, employing more than 50 drivers. He remains a familiar face in the community and enjoys a pint at the Leeds Irish Centre.
Now living with dementia, Alan and his family felt the time was right for him to move into a setting where he could receive the care and support he needs, while continuing to enjoy his independence, build friendships and stay connected to the people and places that matter to him.
Elland Court was officially opened by Councillor Asghar Khan of Richmond Hill, who led the ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside Alan, marking an important milestone for the new care home and its place in the local community.
Spread across three floors, Elland Court provides 75 en-suite bedrooms and offers residential, nursing, respite and specialist dementia care, alongside support for people with a range of other needs.
The home has been designed to help residents maintain their interests, relationships and independence, with facilities including a wrap-around garden, rooftop garden terrace with panoramic views across Richmond Hill, a bistro, hair and beauty salon, private dining facilities, and family and garden rooms for time with loved ones and friends. The home is also pet-friendly.
Jill Shearer, Community and Customer Lead at Elland Court, said, “Alan is a wonderful first resident for Elland Court because his story really reflects what we want this home to be about – supporting people to continue living meaningful lives, staying connected to their community and enjoying the things that make them who they are.
“Being able to choose his own room was important, and we knew we had to make his arrival special. With Alan’s love of Leeds United, the shirt and scarf were a small way of showing him that we’ve taken the time to get to know him and what matters to him.
“We want Elland Court to feel like home from the moment someone walks through the door. That means providing compassionate, personalised care while helping residents maintain their friendships, interests and connections with the local area.”
The home has already begun building relationships with organisations at the heart of Richmond Hill, including Leeds Irish Centre, the Bowls Club in Richmond Hill, St Philip’s Church, The Old Fire Station, Victoria Primary School and Richmond Hill’s Elderly Action, which is Elland Court’s charity of the year.