Local school joins Mercia Grange for rhyming fun

Home news

Oct 23, 2018

It was time to share rhymes at Mercia Grange when it opened its doors to the community and local pupils to celebrate National Poetry Day.

Residents joined national celebrations by reading, writing and sharing their favourite poems around the theme of ‘change.’

The local community and students from Mere Green Primary School joined the residents for the day of fun. The year three pupils spent time with the residents, creating and reading their own poems, as well as sharing their favourite short stories. 

Home manager, Shirley Gibbs, said: “Here at Mercia Grange activity based care is essential in supporting residents to lead fulfilling lives and National Poetry Day was a great example of this.

“It was fantastic to have the community and local school children join us for a day of poetry fun. It was wonderful to see how poetry can bring people from all ages together, everyone enjoyed reading aloud or being read to.

“As well as being calming and encouraging social interaction, poetry can help people to bring back memories from younger years. This can be especially beneficial for those living with dementia and can bring about a tremendous sense of satisfaction when memories are recalled.

“We had a wonderful time celebrating the theme of ‘change’ and sharing favourite poems with the local pupils, and would like to say a big thank you to everyone involved.” 

National Poetry Day inspires people across the UK to celebrate and promote excellence in poetry. This year the organisers have chosen a theme of change. For more information, visit www.nationalpoetryday.co.uk