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

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

Ashford may seem a little quieter than usual after residents from Care UK’s Montfort Manor, on Kennington Road, welcomed pupils from Willesborough Junior School into the home for a retelling of famous children’s stories.  

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.

Keen to return the favour, one week later, residents were invited to Willesborough Junior School’s classroom for the pupils to read them a story about their afternoon adventure visiting Montfort Manor. 

Commenting on the afternoon, resident Freda, said: “A good book is the best kind of company – they can take you to wonderful places and let your imagination run free, which is why they’re so important for children.”

Joanne Eaton, Home Manager at Montfort Manor, said: “We were delighted to be invited by Willesborough Junior School to read stories in the reading corner of their classroom.

“Visits to the local community can be very beneficial for the residents, often helping to spark conversations, evoke happy emotions and encourage new relationships to form. Not only did the residents enjoy the opportunity to meet different people, but the visit also helped them to give something back to the local youngsters. 

“We would like to thank Willesborough Junior School for coming along to Montfort Manor and for hosting us at their school and making us feel so welcome. The residents thoroughly enjoyed all of the stories.”

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

Montfort Manor is a purpose-built care home which has been designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care for older people in Ashford, as well as short-term respite care.

For more information on Montfort Manor, please email Customer Relations Manager, Niki Young, at niki.young@careuk.com or call 01233 884 619.

For more general information please visit: careuk.com/montfort-manor.