Children from the King’s have brought a ray of sunshine into the lives of Care Home residents.

July 10, 2019 Mums&Dads 0 Comments charity, The King’s School

Early Years children from the King’s Pre-School and Reception classes have brought a ray of sunshine into the lives of residents at the Prestbury Beaumont Care Home on Collar House Drive Prestbury.

Inspired by the Channel 4 TV series ‘Old People’s Home for 4-year-olds’, a party of adorable three and four-year-olds from King’s have visited the Beaumont regularly throughout the year.

King’s Pre-School Teacher, Laura Marland, who had the idea and then organised the visits, said “It has been a humbling experience for everyone involved, we have made true friendships that the children really value and have gained so much from this experience.”

The same love is shared by the residents in the Beaumont, “I wish I could see the children every day for the rest of my life, that would make me very happy,” said Nicolina Lambie (89).

David Alderman, Activities Coordinator at the Prestbury Beaumont said: “It’s been a truly remarkable experience for everyone. Both the children and our residents have taken to it like ducks to water. When the children come they know exactly where to go and who to see.”

David added: “Both generations discuss their families and lives, they share books and play games, build jigsaws and even experience dough disco. We enjoy such special moments when we sing together familiar songs from across the generations, often you can see tears in the eyes of the residents, they love the experience so much.”

King’s is now planning to extend the programme so they can have more visits next year and ended this year’s sequence of trips with a special celebratory Afternoon Tea party in school so the residents could in turn see where the children spend their days, meet the families of the children and encourage links in the community. Many of the parents have commented that they would like to visit the residents and continue to build on these friendships.

Laura added: “There is one lady whose father went to King’s before the war and she loved seeing the blue blazers and the school at work, she was fascinated to hear about the plans for the new school.”

King’s Infant & Junior Division Principal Rachel Cookson said: “This is a truly enriching experience for our boys and girls, for the older people and also, it must be said, for our teachers and the staff at Beaumont.”

“It not only has great educational value, but we all feel is simply a good thing to do and great fun for all concerned and we’d like to thank the Beaumont and their residents for opening their doors and their hearts.”