Horley care home residents read bedtime stories to local children

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

Horley may seem a little quieter than usual after residents from Care UK’s Amherst House, on Court Lodge Road, welcomed pupils from Meath Green Primary School for a retelling of Winnie the Pooh by A.A Milne. 

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.

As well as practicing their best character voices, residents and team members went a step further to celebrate National Winnie the Pooh Day, and wore full character costumes, including Winnie and Piglet, for the children to enjoy.

Commenting on the afternoon, resident, Maida King, said: “I thought this was a wonderful thing to do for the children. It took me right back to my primary school teaching days!” 

Cristina Cristea, General Manager at Amherst House, said: “We’ve had a wonderful week of storytelling here at Amherst House. Whether it’s Peter Pan flying us to Neverland or Alice taking us down the rabbit hole, children’s literature is often the first key to unlocking our imaginations and nurturing a lifelong love of reading – so it was great to welcome children from Meath Green Primary School to Amherst House. 

“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 our home and right across the UK with the fantastic videos.

“Intergenerational relationships and initiatives, just like this one, can be incredibly beneficial to both younger and older people alike and can provide residents with a sense of wellbeing and purpose. 

“It has been heart-warming to see the residents share stories from their own childhood and read a telling of Winnie the Pooh with the pupils. We look forward to welcoming the children back to Amherst house very soon.”

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

Amherst House has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives in a luxury environment. The home provides full-time residential care, nursing care, dementia care and respite care. 

To find out more about Amherst House, please call Customer Relations Manager, Terri Rowe on 01293 735820, email Terri.rowe@careuk.com or visit: careuk.com/amherst-house.