A novel idea – Edgbaston care home residents read bedtime stories to local children

Residents at two care homes in Edgbaston have been reading well-known bedtime stories to local children as part of a nationwide initiative to celebrate National Storytelling Week. 

Edgbaston may seem a little quieter than usual after residents from Care UK’s Edgbaston Manor and Metchley Manor, in Birmingham, welcomed local school children into their homes for a retelling of some of literature’s most famous children’s tales.  

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 Metchley Manor, resident Janet Bradshaw, read Peter Rabbit to children from Norfolk House School. To ensure the scene was set for an afternoon of storytelling, residents decorated the lounge with paintings of the book’s famous characters and images of the author, Beatrix Potter. 

To return the storytelling favour, the children later got into costume to perform a play called The Fox and the Gingerbread Man, for the residents to enjoy.

 

At Edgbaston Manor, residents welcomed children from the local community as well as team members children for a retelling of famous children’s tale, The Three Little Pigs. To help bring the story to life, residents used puppets and toys, much to the children’s amusement.  

Kim Marie Newton, General Manager at Metchley Manor, said: “We all remember stories told to us as children, often before bedtime, and find comfort in adulthood in these nostalgic memories. We’re thrilled Care UK has launched the bedtime stories initiative – it’s wonderful to have children benefiting from residents reading them stories both in Birmingham and right across the UK with the fantastic videos.

Zoe Steventon, General Manager at Edgbaston Manor, said: “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 traditional 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 children 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

Metchley Manor and Edgbaston Manor have been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The homes have been configured into a series of neighbourhoods to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents. There is also plenty of space, both indoors and out, for relaxation and recreation. 

For more information on Metchley Manor, please call Director of Community Relations, Gemma Walsh on 0121 667 2047, or email gemma.walsh@careuk.com

For more information on Edgbaston Manor, please call Home Admissions Advisor, Natasha Phillips on 0121 314 9908, or email Natasha.Phillips@careuk.com