Residents at residential and dementia care home, RNNH In Bournemouth, Dorset, threw open its doors over the festive season and welcomed over 100 children who came along to visit the residents.
The intergenerational, month-long celebration saw children from the 48th Bournemouth Brownies, Boscombe Salvation Army Children’s Section, the 21st Bournemouth Scouts, pupils from St. James’ Church of England Primary Academy and the 4th Christchurch Brownies, coming along to the care home to help the residents get into the festive spirit.
“Our residents love to have the younger generation visit and we are lucky that we have many visits taking place throughout the year, but in the run up to Christmas, it was extra special,” said Caroline Gulen, RNNH’s Registered Manager. “To hear everyone chatting, laughing, singing and having so much fun was wonderful.”
Rob Paton, RNNH’s Activities Coordinator arranged for the different children’s groups to visit throughout the run up to 25th December, bringing a varied and engaging range of activities for the residents to enjoy. “The residents had a fantastic time and thoroughly enjoyed and participated in all the activities,” said Rob. “They had a wonderful time with the 48th Bournemouth Brownies making Christmas marzipan fruits and the Boscombe Salvation Army Children’s Section entertained everyone with a beautiful carol concert.”
However, the Christmas fun didn’t stop there. “The residents were also treated to a yuletide arts and crafts session with the 21st Bournemouth Cub Scouts, which was followed by a game of Christmas Bingo and a special musical jamboree. Pupils from St. James’ Church of England Primary Academy choir put on a beautiful singing performance and the 4th Christchurch Brownies performed a Nativity play which was followed by everyone joining in and singing carols,” added Rob.
In total over 100 children visited and interacted with the residents in the run up to Christmas, but Rob arranged for a few other festive, surprise treats for the residents. “In addition to our extensive Christmas in-house activities, we were invited to attend three external Nativity plays,” continued Rob. “We made sure everyone was wrapped up warm for the excursions and took the residents to the Nativity plays which were being performed within the community. We visited three schools – St. Peter’s Catholic School, St. James’ Church of England Primary Academy and St. Walburga’s Catholic School to see the Reception Classes perform their Christmastime productions. The residents had a wonderful time.”
“The intergenerational run up to Christmas was a lovely way for our residents to get into the Christmas Spirit. All our residents had a wonderful time participating in each activity – joining in with the children, singing along to the carols and watching the different Nativity plays. Many of our residents reminisced about Nativity plays their own children and grandchildren had appeared in which brought back many happy memories that they shared with the care team and each other. It was a perfect way to start Christmas.” concluded Caroline.
Find out more about RNNH care home in Bournemouth by calling 01202 396 418 or emailing enquiries@fote.org.uk.