Time to rhyme for World Poetry Day at St Vincent's House

Home news

Mar 13, 2018

St Vincent's House is inviting the local community to join residents in celebrating World Poetry Day on Wednesday 21st March.

World Poetry Day is an annual celebration of rhythmic literature and promotes the reading, writing, publishing and teaching of poetry throughout the world. This year, the Care UK team at St Vincent’s House will open its doors from 2.30pm-3.30pm for an afternoon of word play and rhyming fun.

Residents at St Vincent’s House care home will be celebrating the day by reading a number of their favourite poems and rhymes aloud. Local poet, Jessica Phibbs, will be visiting the home, where she will be reading a selection of her poems aloud and will encourage residents to be creative and put pen to paper to create their own short verses and poems to enter into Care UK’s poetry competition, which is taking place nationwide to mark World Poetry Day.

Customer relations manager, Lorelei Shepherd, explained why St Vincent’s House care home is taking part in World Poetry Day: “Poems and limericks are something that we have all grown up with, and most people will have a favourite that they can recall from their younger years, so reading these can be a meaningful reminiscence activity.

“For older people living with dementia, somebody reading aloud to them – whether it be a poem or short story – can have many therapeutic benefits. Not only is it calming, but it is also helpful for people with restricted eyesight, and soothing for those who are less able to communicate.

“Poetry is a great way to express emotions and memories, and writing your own verses is an enjoyable activity for all the family. We hope that the local community will join us in sharing their favourite rhymes or creating their own poems to read aloud to their loved ones.”