Margaret Sancken used a system installed by a care charity to research and book an exotic holiday
A pensioner has gone on her first holiday to Vietnam after she was able to research her destination through an innovative digital care system.
Margaret Sancken, 65, embarked on her dream trip in November, spending 11 days discovering the Asian country.
She was accompanied on her trip by Gina McClinton, team leader at St Leonard’s Court in Ayr - where Margaret has been a tenant for the last 23 years.
The pair saw the sights and took in the best of what Vietnam has to offer, even enjoying dinner with a local family one night.
Margaret was able to go on her first ever holiday thanks to the CleverCogs system, an innovative digital care system created by charity care provider Blackwood.
She said: “My trip to Vietnam was an experience I will never forget. The country is so beautiful and I got to do some amazing sightseeing such as the Hai Van Pass, different pagodas and we even went to the coconut candy factory in Saigon.
“We had organised a tour guide who was able to show us all the great spots across the country. One night, a local family welcomed us all for dinner and cooked an incredible seven course meal. But for me one of my favourite experiences was the day cruise on the Mekong Delta.
“A leaflet that came in the post sparked my interest in the country and after researching it on Clever Cogs, I asked Gina if she wanted to come along with me and we booked it soon after.”
Margaret was able to research her trip from start to finish on CleverCogs. The bespoke technology tailors each device to the wants and needs of the individual and gives users control over their care and support. It enables users to browse the web, email, do their shopping and even catch up with friends and family.
The device is fitted in the homes of those who require care, and has been installed at more than 100 homes and care facilities across Scotland.
Margaret continued: “It has allowed me to do so much that I never knew it was capable of until I started using it. It’s given the confidence to try new experiences and enabled me to visit places I thought I’d never go. “
Since booking her holiday to Vietnam, Margaret now has plans to go to Australia and spend 26 days travelling across the country which includes a cruise and four day train journey.
Gina said: “I was thrilled to be able to accompany Margaret on her holiday. I had never been to Asia before and it was really interesting being able to experience the different culture.
“Margaret and I had a jam packed holiday and we saw a lot of the sights to ensure we made the most of our trip. It was wonderful getting to see Margaret fulfil her lifelong dream and be part of it all.”
