Talented pupils from Normanhurst School were much appreciated visitors to The Spinney this Christmas
Schoolchildren paid residents of a Chingford care home a special Christmas visit this month.
The special carol service took place in the large lounge at The Spinney on Forest View.
According to The Spinney’s staff, the residents were delighted to hear the children singing. A resident at The Spinney, 84-year-old Doreen Leighton, said: “I just love having the little ones here so much. It makes me feel very happy and warm inside”.
Centenarian resident, Joan Franklin, 102, who is spending her first Christmas at the home, said she adores seeing the children when they visit: “I enjoy having the children with us as I was once one myself! I am always extremely happy to see them all.”
The home and school also exchanged handmade Christmas cards, which were personally handed out by the schoolchildren to each resident.
The dementia and palliative care specialist home hosts pupils from Normanhurst School once a month where they take part in activities with residents such as balloon tennis and games to crafts and mindful colouring.
The home’s lifestyle lead, Julie Arnold said: “I love the relationship between the children and our residents,” she said. “The benefits are clear to see. The residents are so engaged when the children are here and even those who are often quieter come alive and chat.
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“It’s lovely to see everyone interact so well together and the children bring tremendous joy and warmth with them every time they are here. There is always an amazing atmosphere of pure happiness in the room.”
Care home manager Vicky Parsons, said: “We love inviting the children into our home. These visits are really special and they mean so much to the residents. It’s incredibly important to us as a home that we maintain these strong links with the community as it enables us to support our residents to live lives full of meaning and purpose.
“The team go above and beyond to make our residents happy and to make sure Christmas is magical for them and this performance from Normanhurst School was no exception. It was the perfect way to wish everyone a merry Christmas.”
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