Brooklyn House’s Ann - Resident Ambassador and Always A Nurse
Resident Ambassador, Ann Kerrison, plays a huge part in life at Brooklyn House, but her remarkable career as a nurse is a story we’re proud to share as we mark International Nurses Week.
The Early Years
Born in Norfolk in 1942, Ann had wanted to become a nurse for as long as she could remember and was eager to begin her training. In 1959, aged 17, she enrolled onto a 6 month Pre-Student Nursing course at Wayland Hospital in Norwich. This was followed by Preliminary Training School – a 3 month live-in course based at Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, where she also spent part of her 3 years’ training as a State Registered Nurse (SRN), alongside West Norwich Hospital and the Jenny Lind Hospital.
The Move to London
Once qualified, Ann moved to London where she felt there would be better opportunities. Her first position was in haematology at St Leonards Hospital, situated in an area of east London that was a little bit rough around the edges. Whilst even the police were not safe walking alone, nurses in uniform were well respected. After a year at St Leonards, Ann moved to the General Lying-in Hospital near Waterloo Station– one of the first maternity hospitals in the UK – then later gained experience at the Royal Brompton Hospital in west London on a Heart and Chest ward. During Ann’s time in London, she also worked with the British Red Cross, teaching bandaging techniques to student nurses.
Meeting the Love of her Life
On one of her visits back home to Norfolk, Ann met Roger. Love blossomed and Ann left London so they could be closer together. She and Roger married in 1964, but Ann continued her nursing career at The Whitlingham Hospital, Norfolk and also worked with doctors providing a community twilight service, offering medical assistance out of hours. It was on one such occasion working in the community that Ann was caught speeding. At the time she shared a car with Roger and was anxious that she would be late back with the car, which Roger needed to get to work on time. The police duly arrived at their house and believed Roger to have stolen the car as Ann was nowhere to be seen (she was out walking the dog). She really must have hit the pedal hard!
St Mary’s – Their Own Care Home
In 1979, Ann and Roger bought St Mary’s Care Home in New Buckenham, Norfolk, and changed it from being purely residential to include nursing care. St Mary’s was just a door away from where Ann had grown up – where her mum was still living – so the house in between was purchased and knocked through and mum became part of the home too!
St Mary’s was a 31 bed home where Ann and Roger lived on site, available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Roger left his job as a Cost Accountant at Jarrolds so he could support Ann, and the couple became a big part of the local community. Their house was open to all during power cuts, they collected and distributed medications for the community - nothing was ever too much trouble. Tuesday was their weekly day off, although they spent it doing essential shopping at the Cash and Carry.
Retirement with Purpose
In 1989 Ann retired and gave up St Mary’s. She and Roger moved to a bungalow in Attleborough but kept busy, both continuing to tirelessly support East Anglian Children’s Hospice (EACH), raising thousands of pounds.
Ann and Roger moved to Brooklyn House together in August 2023. Roger passed away peacefully October 2025 and his wake was held at Brooklyn House for more than 80 guests.
As Resident Ambassador, Ann has brought so much to Brooklyn House. Earlier this year she utilised her nursing skills and set up her own blood pressure station as part of the home’s ‘Keeping Healthy in Older Age’ event.
Home Manager, Ros Godfrey, feels very lucky and privileged to have her. Describing Anne’s impact on the care home, Ros explains, “She visits many residents that do not have regular visitors, or no visitors every day, delivers post to their rooms, sits in on interviews or will meet with potential candidates and ask a few questions. She looks after us – reminding me and Mel to drink plenty of fluids (Ann became involved with our Hydration Champion Training) or walk away from our desks for a breather and look after ourselves. She welcomes every new resident and puts them at ease. She supports a few residents at mealtimes encouraging them with diet intake. Ann is always looking out for everyone, likes to be busy. She will always be a nurse”.
A Caring Home in the Heart of Attleborough
At Brooklyn House Nursing Home in Norfolk, we understand the decision to find care for a loved one is never easy. That’s why our purpose-built home offers not only expert residential and nursing care, but also a warm, welcoming environment where comfort, safety and dignity come first.
Whether it’s enjoying the calm of our enclosed gardens, relaxing on the terrace, or joining in with meaningful activities, life here is about choice and companionship. With Attleborough’s shops and cafés nearby, residents can stay connected to the community they know and love.
