Over the fence – Witney residents make new friends

Home news

Nov 26, 2020

Residents at a Witney care home have not let the pandemic stop them from keeping in touch with their friends.

Care UK’s Millers Grange, on Curbridge Road, has been enjoying socially-distant visits from children at the neighbouring St Hugh of Lincoln Nursery School.

Separated by a fence, residents and children have been enjoying regular chats and sing-alongs together. Launched by popular demand, the initiative aimed to replace the usual in-person visits, which were interrupted as lock-down restrictions came into place. Since, residents have also created a ‘We miss you’ banner, displayed by the home’s fence for children to see.

Alison Parry, Home Manager at Millers Grange, said: “Intergenerational relationships have proven to be enriching for both young and older people, as they provide an opportunity for children and residents to learn from each other.

“We have a great relationship with St Hugh of Lincoln Nursery School and residents love having the children around, so when visits had to stop, many quickly started to miss them dearly. We reached out to the nursery, and it turns out the feeling was mutual, so we worked together to find a safe way around this – and this took the form of over-the-fence visits.

“Since September, the regular visits have been a real highlight, so we’d like to say a big thank you to children and the team at St Hugh’s Nursery.”

Claire Hemsley, Manager at St Hugh of Lincoln Nursery School, added: “The children really enjoyed our weekly visits to the home, and I know they were disappointed when they had to stop due to the pandemic’’. 

“We’re thrilled to have been able to continue meeting safely, albeit separated by a fence. It’s a pleasure to see residents regularly and sing with them, and it’s fantastic to see friendships developing no matter the circumstances. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone again really soon!”

Millers Grange has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full-time residential dementia and respite care.

To find out more about Millers Grange, please call Customer Relations Manager, Jim MacLeod, on 01993 764730 or email james.macleod@careuk.com

For more information, visit careuk.com/millers-grange