Local community joins Haywards Heath care home for a journey into Christmas past

Old festive traditions came to life at a care home in Haywards Heath, where residents welcomed members of their local community for some festive fun.

Care UK’s Martlet Manor, on Butler’s Green Road, joined forces with members of the community and visitors from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School to revisit customs from Christmases past.

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

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

On the day, the care home opened its doors to welcome members of the local community for a vintage 1960s-themed Christmas market, with a special performance of classic carols by community members, including a group of parents from the local primary school, St Joseph’s. There were 60s-themed refreshments, activities, and lots more fun reminiscent of Christmases gone by, such as Christmas crafts including crocheted angels, sweets, a chocolate dipping pot and even a Christmas raffle and tombola.  

The home also had a very special visit from Father Christmas, who arrived with Rudolph and an extra-special elf!

Resident Shirley, 92, said of the day: “I thoroughly enjoyed singing carols all together with family, community members and my fellow residents! It was a lovely atmosphere and reminded me of happy family Christmases from years gone by.”

Sarah Barrett, Home Manager at Martlet Manor, said: “Christmas is such a special time of year, and this event allowed us to honour those memories from residents’ childhoods of visiting Christmas markets and fetes with their families. 

“It was a wonderful opportunity to bring different generations and the local community 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 our local community and the parents at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School for joining us and making the day so joyous for all involved! Their presence brought an extra sparkle to the day.”

For more information about Step into Christmas, visit https://www.careuk.com/Step-into-Christmas.  

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Martlet Manor incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies. The layout of the building is configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to facilitate the creation of close-knit communities. The home also has its own cinema, hair and beauty salon and a family guest room.