A story that’s plot on – Bury St Edmunds care home residents read bedtime stories to local children

Residents at two care homes in Bury St Edmunds have been reading classic bedtime stories to local youngsters as part of a nationwide initiative to celebrate National Storytelling Week. 

Bury St Edmunds may seem a little quieter than usual after residents from Care UK’s Glastonbury Court, on Glastonbury Road, welcomed local schoolchildren and residents’ grandchildren into the home for a retelling of The Very Fairy Princess by Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Andrews. Meanwhile, Davers Court, on Shakers Lane, welcomed team members’ children into the home for a special reading session. 

 

To celebrate National Storytelling Week, Care UK has created the Bedtime Stories initiative which sees residents across the UK read classic bedtime stories to young children. The campaign, which includes the launch of four free videos of residents reading famous stories, ensures children who may not have a grandparent do not miss out on a magical tale before bedtime.

At Glastonbury Court, residents welcomed children from Sybil Andrews Academy for a fun reading session. Commenting on the activity with the schoolchildren and reading to pupil Olivia, 81-year-old resident, Hazel Jackson-Kemp, said: “I had a wonderful time reading to the children and loved making Olivia smile – she was little princess and deserved a princess story.”

At Davers Court, seven-year-old Isaac shared his favourite stories with the residents, including Little Red Riding Hood and Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson. 88-year-old resident, Norma Burrows said: “I enjoyed the reading session with the children – the children read very well and were confident.”

Ana Mihai, Home Manager at Glastonbury Court, said: “We always enjoy opening our doors to the local community, so it was fantastic to be joined by Sybil Andrews Academy pupils for a special reading session. 

“Intergenerational activities are incredibly enriching for all ages and provide a fantastic opportunity for residents and children to interact with one another. The youngsters were able to soak up a wonderful story and the residents benefited from gaining a different perspective from the children on a well-known story. It’s fantastic to host a session such as this to allow the two generations to spend time with one another. 

“We thoroughly enjoyed hosting the ‘Bedtime Stories’ reading session with the schoolchildren and hope that we have helped them to continue building a love of reading.”

To watch four Bedtime Stories read by Care UK residents, or for more information about the Bedtime Stories initiative, visit: careuk.com/bedtime-stories

Care UK’s Davers Court and Glastonbury Court are modern care homes providing full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the homes have their very own cinema and hair salon, and there is plenty of space both in and outdoors for relaxation and recreation.  

For more information about Davers Court or Glastonbury Court, please visit: careuk.com/suffolk