The golden ticket! Sale care home invites children for Roald Dahl-inspired reading session

A care home in Sale invited a local nursery to board the Willy Wonka express in celebration of Roald Dahl Day.

Team members at Care UK’s Oakfield Croft, on Oakfield, donned hats and costumes as they welcomed children from Kids Allowed into the home for a special reading session inspired by famous author, Roald Dahl.

Dressed up as classic Roald Dahl characters, from Willy Wonka himself to Oompa Loompas and Miss Trunchball, the home was also adorned with decorations including a candy land mural and lollipop table pieces, to truly bring the session to life. Whipped up by the home’s talented Chef, Paul, there were also specially themed sweet treats, which included hat shaped gingerbread biscuits, decorated with golden tickets, and Wonka bars. 

Youngsters enjoyed a special retelling of the classic story ‘Matilda’ from 81-year-old retired schoolteacher and resident, Pauline Quinn, eagerly listening to every word. 

After getting the chance to put her teacher’s hat back on for a day, Pauline said: “As a teacher I know what the children like and you have to create lots of characters when you tell them stories, it’s a little like acting. I love to see their faces when I tell them a story and watch their imaginations grow. It’s a wonderful thing to be a teacher.”

Daniel Cole, Home Manager at Oakfield Croft, said: “We had a wonderful time hosting our Roald Dahl-themed day, and it was a massive hit with the residents and children alike.

“Here at Oakfield Croft, we’re extremely passionate about coming up with new and exciting intergenerational activities for residents to enjoy – and Roald Dahl Day provided the perfect opportunity to do just that. It was heart-warming to see residents engaging with the little ones, sharing stories from their own childhood and to hear Pauline’s many memories of her years teaching. 

“A big thank you to Kids Allowed for joining our special Roald Dahl Day celebrations – we look forward to welcoming the youngsters back to Oakfield Croft very soon!”

Oakfield Croft has been rated ‘Good’ in all five areas by the Care Quality Commission and was named a Top 20 care home for the second year in a row. The home is designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilling lives, while also promoting independence. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The layout of the building is configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities, as well as facilities like a cinema, coffee shop and hair salon.