HC-One care homes bring generations together to celebrate Global Intergenerational Week

HC-One care homes across the UK have been opening their doors to the younger generation including children from local primary schools and students from local colleges to encourage people from across the generational divide to come together to celebrate Global Intergenerational Week, which ran between April 24 and 30.

HC-One’s Springwater Lodge Care Home in Calverton, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, have been bridging the generational gap by welcoming in children from St Wilfred’s Primary School, as it celebrated Global Intergenerational Week. Children from St Wilfred’s Primary School were invited along to the care home to build relationships with some of its elderly residents at Springwater Lodge Care Home.

The celebrations involved residents at Springwater Lodge listening to the children from St Wilfred’s Primary School read their favourite books to them. It brought residents at Springwater Lodge so much joy to see the children share their love for stories and reading with them.

Christine Guest, aged 77, a talented resident at HC-One’s Springwater Lodge Care Home, shared a beautiful poem she had written to the children. The home often hosts visits from St Wilfred’s Primary School who are aged between 4 and 8 years old, which unites the different generations together.

Ana Filip, HC-One’s Springwater Lodge Deputy Care Home Manager, said: 

“It is lovely to see these relationships developing. It’s heart-warming how kind and thoughtful the children are, and we are looking forward to seeing how this progresses.” 

HC-One’s Falstone Court Care Home in Roker, Sunderland, welcomed Health and Social Care students from Sunderland College as it celebrated Global Intergenerational Week. Students from Sunderland College were invited along to the care home to build relationships with some of its elderly residents at Falstone Court Care Home.

Students swapped textbooks for cups of tea and a chat with residents. Students and residents enjoyed an afternoon full of conversation, laughter, sampling and taste testing of the home’s new spring menu as well as discussions of TikToks.

The afternoon saw a heartwarming exchange of knowledge, care and new ideas. For the students from Sunderland College, the visit brought their learning to life-offering a chance to see person-centred care in action and provided them with the opportunity to build meaningful connections with older generations.

Students even offered to lend a helping hand by helping serve residents afternoon tea. For residents at Falstone Court, it was a joyful reminder that age is no barrier to building and creating new friendships. The students brought some lovely handmade cards, gifts and chocolates.

Residents enjoyed reminiscing and sharing their fond memories with students. The visit marked the beginning of a new partnership between Sunderland College and Falstone Court Care Home, with future plans for regular interactions to take place throughout the year.

Emma Hindmarsh, HC-One’s Falstone Court Care Home Manager, said: 

“Interacting with young people has a number of positive benefits for our residents including helping reduce feelings of isolation, boosting mental wellbeing and stimulating memory recall through conversations and shared activities. 

“Students also found the visit beneficial, seeing person-centred care in practice and listening to resident’s stories, Students and residents enjoyed connecting with each other and building genuine friendships with each other.” 

HC-One’s Bluebell View Care Home in Oswestry, Shropshire, has been opening its doors to children at a local primary school to mark Global Intergenerational Week. Bluebell View have been welcoming in children from Moreton Hall Primary School to build relationships with some of its elderly residents at Bluebell View Care Home.

The celebrations involved residents at Bluebell View and children from Moreton Hall Primary School making and exchanging friendship bracelets. The home often hosts visits from Moreton Hall Primary School who are aged between eight and nine years old for their regular stay and chat sessions, which unites the different generations together.

Michelle Middleton-Price, HC-One’s Bluebell View Care Home Manager, said: 

“We are thrilled with the nurturing of friendship which is emerging between the youngsters and our elders here at Bluebell View.” 

The care homes highlighted the importance of sharing life stories between those young and old. The special week emphasised that experiences can be celebrated with each other, no matter how old you are.

For more information on HC-One homes in your area visit www.hc-one.co.uk/carehomes

ENDS