Beavers join Newmarket care home for journey into Christmas past

Old festive traditions have come to life at a care home in Newmarket, where residents welcomed a local Scout group for an afternoon of seasonal activities. 

Kentford Manor, on Jeddah Way in Kennett, joined forces with young visitors from 1st Red Lodge Scout Group to revisit customs from Christmases past.

Residents and children made Christmas cards together, spending time chatting, sharing ideas and adding festive decorations as they bonded over glitter, stamps and colourful paper.

Resident, Wimla Wyncoll, said: “I really enjoyed spending time with the scouts and making Christmas cards together – it brought back so many happy memories. It’s important to celebrate past Christmas traditions because they remind us of simpler times and help bring different generations together. I remember always making our own cards at Christmas, and it was lovely to see that tradition being shared again with the young people today.”

The event was part of Care UK’s ‘Step into Christmas’ initiative, which aims to revive residents’ festive traditions by encouraging them to share memories with the younger generation. 

By blending storytelling, crafts and carol singing, the celebrations create a space for meaningful intergenerational connection. 

Julia Forsyth, Customer Relations Manager at Kentford Manor, said: “Christmas is such a special time of year, and this event allowed us to honour those memories from residents’ childhoods of making Christmas cards.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to bring different generations together for a day of festive cheer. It was truly heartwarming to watch residents reminisce and share stories from Christmases gone by. 

“We’d like to extend a huge thank you to 1st Red Lodge Scout Group and their parents for joining us and making the afternoon so joyous for all involved! Their presence brought an extra sparkle to the day.”

For further information on Step into Christmas, visit careuk.com/Step-into-Christmas.

Kentford Manor provides full-time residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to lead active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, the care home incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies. The building has been configured into a number of suites to facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.