Lancaster schools and nurseries bring Christmas cheer to care home residents

Laurel Bank Care Home in Lancaster have teamed up with several local schools to bring some Christmas cheer to the residents after a difficult year.
Christmas cards and gifts for the residents of the Laurel Bank Care Home in Lancaster made by the schoolchildren at Willow Lane Primary School.Christmas cards and gifts for the residents of the Laurel Bank Care Home in Lancaster made by the schoolchildren at Willow Lane Primary School.
Christmas cards and gifts for the residents of the Laurel Bank Care Home in Lancaster made by the schoolchildren at Willow Lane Primary School.

Christ Church Primary School, Willow Lane Primary School, the Steiner School, Lancaster Girls Grammar School and Appletree Nursery are all getting involved in making this Christmas extra special for the residents at Laurel Bank.

A Year 6 class at Christ Church have been joining the residents via Zoom every Friday to host an array of activities including Christmas Bingo, a Christmas quiz, making Christmas cards together, and with a Christmas Service planned for December 18.

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The children have also written letters to the residents, sent Christmas cards and even written a poem about their newfound friendships, and the residents look forward to seeing the students every week!

Pupils at Willow Lane Primary School have been making Christmas decorations and cards for the residents and sent some chocolates as well.

Resident Maureen said, “Isn’t it lovely! It’s so nice to know that people are thinking about us at Christmas time. I wish they could come and visit us, but its nice seeing them on the TV every week too!”

Pupils at Lancaster Girls Grammar School are sending videos of themselves reading poetry that they have written for the residents, the Steiner School have sent Michaelmas and Advent videos that the residents really enjoyed watching, and Appletree Nursey will be sending a video of their Nativity Play this year.

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Activity Coordinator Jamie Hodgson said: “We are absolutely stunned with the response from local schools to help us provide a packed and interactive Christmas schedule this year.

"Even with the challenges that lockdown has brought, we have risen above it and helped our residents to stay connected with their friends, family and the wider community in what has been a really tough year for everyone.

"We are optimistic for next year and I really hope that we will have the opportunity to work with these schools more closely in the future. I would just like to say a big thank you, and Merry Christmas, to everybody involved.”

The benefits of inter-generational projects for everybody involved are widely recognised, and connecting with the younger generation has brought back memories for the residents, improved their confidence and wellbeing and brought a ‘buzz’ to the home in recent weeks.

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Laurel Bank is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals. Laurel Bank provides residential and nursing care for up to 65 residents, from respite care to long term stays.