Retired ship engineer Ian rekindles his love of the sea during virtual reality project
A retired merchant navy engineer with a lifelong passion for sailing has been able to rekindle his love of the sea during a trial of cutting-edge virtual reality equipment.
Ian Allnutt, 87, is a resident of newly-opened Park View Nursing Home, in Ullet Road, Liverpool, which is taking part in a pilot project with the virtual reality technology company Oroi.
Rebecca Topping, hospitality host at the Kingsley Healthcare home, said: “As soon as Ian put on the VR goggles to be transported out to sea on a boat he was full of smiles. The whole experience brought back many happy memories for him.”
Oroi, which is running a trial at four Kingsley homes, has developed a virtual reality platform with entertainment and cognitive stimulation experiences aimed at improving the emotional wellbeing and cognitive functions of older people.
Mr. Allnutt’s eldest daughter Catherine Allnutt said: “The sea was such an important part of my father’s life and he really enjoyed his VR experience.”
His experience of the oceans began at the age of 16 when he joined the famous former shipping company Blue Funnel Line as an apprentice and left his family behind in Adelaide, Australia, for a life of world adventure.
He later settled in New Brighton, Merseyside, having met his late wife Alison at the resort’s Tower Ballroom.
While rising through the ranks to become a chief engineer, Mr Allnutt always retained his passion for sailing which had started in Australia.
He is a former member of Wallasey Yacht club and West Cheshire Sailing Club and is a life member of Rhyl Yacht Club.
His daughter said: “My father built his own catamaran and once won the Liverpool to Isle of Man sailing race, coming home very drunk with a big silver cup!”
Park View manager Lyndsey Gladden said: “Oroi has lots of scenic tours available and we are going to be able to take Ian to some of the amazing places around the world he visited in the merchant navy.
“In the summer we would love to get Ian back out on the water with a trip on the Mersey.”
Find out more about Park View luxury care home
Author: Stephen Pullinger
