Local children join Frome care home for journey into Christmas past

Old festive traditions have come to life at a care home in Frome, where residents welcomed a local charity for a day of seasonal activities. 

Rossetti House, on Welshmill Lane, joined forces with young visitors from Purple Elephant to revisit customs from Christmases past.

Families supported by Purple Elephant joined residents in making their very own traditional Christmas decorations, including paper chains, handmade cards and orange and clove pomanders. 

Resident, Amanda Relph, said: “My favourite thing about the day was being with the children and sharing in their joy in creating something they could take home with them. It’s so important to carry on these traditions around Christmas. I remember always doing little plays for my family and we always read ‘A night before Christmas’, a tradition I still do now and will be reading on Christmas Eve at Rossetti House this year.”

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 local community and younger generation. 

By blending storytelling, crafts and carol singing, the sessions create a space for meaningful intergenerational connection. For further information on Step into Christmas, visit careuk.com/Step-into-Christmas.

Phil Vale, General Manager at Rossetti House, said: “Christmas is such a special time of year, and this event allowed us to honour those memories from residents’ childhoods of making their own seasonal decorations with their loved ones. 

“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 Purple Elephant for joining us and making the day so joyous for all involved! Their presence brought an extra sparkle to the day.”

Rossetti House provides full-time residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite care, in a luxury setting. The home incorporates plenty of space for hobby and leisure activities and has its own cinema, hair and beauty salon and café. The building has been designed to facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.