Children from Chingford CofE Primary School were welcomed into Ivy Grove on Hatch Lane for story time with residents

Children from a local Chingford primary school were welcomed into Ivy Grove care home for story time with residents.

The children, who had been practising their best character voices, sat with the residents and read to them, so that they could enjoy a retelling of famous childhood stories. The residents also got into character to read to the children and tell their own fairytales.

Commenting on the morning, 94-year-old resident, Laura Shirra, said: “It was lovely! The children did so well reading and they did all the voices. It reminded me of reading to my own grandchildren. I haven’t laughed like that in ages.

“You know, when you get older, the world can shrink a bit. But a good story, and a child’s imagination, that opens it right back up. Reading isn’t just about words on a page, it’s about sharing a moment, connecting with someone, and feeling alive again.”

Jacob Mante, general manager at Ivy Grove, said: “We’ve had a wonderful time reading stories here at Ivy Grove. Seeing the children enjoying reading so much and the residents creating their own fairytales for the youngsters was wonderful to see.

“Intergenerational relationships can be incredibly beneficial for both younger and older people and can provide residents with a sense of wellbeing and purpose—so we would like to extend our thanks to Church of England primary school in Chingford for visiting us here at Ivy Grove for World Book Day.”

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