Kettering Care Home Welcomes Mobile Tattoo Artist to Fulfil Resident’s Creative Wish

A local care home is proving that age and physical mobility are no barriers to personal expression after resident receive custom body art directly from her bedside.

Anna, who moved into Claremont Parkway Care Home in Kettering in January for nursing care support, had been eager to get some new tattoos, as well as some cover-up work. However, she quickly faced a common hurdle experienced by many large wheelchair users, standard tattoo parlours often feature limited physical accessibility, with many located on first-floor premises or lacking the space required for safe mobility.

Refusing to let these limitations stop her, Anna took matters into her own hands. After researching accessible alternatives, she discovered Tats atHome, a local mobile tattooing service. Following an initial consultation, the artist agreed to visit the home and bring the professional studio environment directly to Anna's private room.

The successful session took place in the complete comfort and safety of Anna’s bedroom, allowing her to receive her custom designs.

Expressing her joy, Anna said: "I love him and I am absolutely delighted to have him come to the home. I had looked for a very long time for someone to come and provide this service, as I cannot get out of the home on my own due to my mobility."

The unique setting also proved to be a rewarding experience for the artist behind Tats At Home, who shared: "I was apprehensive at first coming into a care home to give tattoos, but as soon as I met the team and Anna, I knew it would be fine. Anna is funny and lovely, and it was a pleasure being able to come and give her the artwork she wanted, including some cover-up tattoo work."

Claremont Parkway Care Home prides itself on providing person-centred care that enables residents to maintain their independence, individuality, and personal hobbies. Staff members hope that Anna's story highlights how care homes can think outside the box to accommodate any resident's wishes, no matter how unconventional they may seem.

"We are here to support our residents to keep doing the things they would normally do, right in the comfort of their own surroundings," said General Manager, Chloe Hornby . "While a bedside tattoo session is certainly a unique event for us, it is a wonderful example of how we adapt to our residents' choices. It is a brilliant trend that we think might just catch on across the care sector."