Local primary school children join East Grinstead care home for a journey into Christmases past

Old festive traditions came to life at a care home in East Grinstead, where residents welcomed children from a local primary school.

Care UK’s Mill View, on Sunnyside Close, joined forces with young visitors from The Meads 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 younger generation. 

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

On the day, the home was filled with festive joy, as young visitors from The Meads Primary School treated residents to a special carol concert, featuring songs from years gone by, as well as a few recent Christmas pop hits & poems.

After delighting the residents with their heartfelt singing, the younger generation enjoyed a visit to Mill View’s Santa’s grotto before sharing a special card created by the children for the residents to say thank you for spending the day with them.

Resident, Norma Cheshire, said: “You are never too old to enjoy Christmas, I love it! Being visited by The Meads reminded me of my Childhood Christmases and also of when my children were small. It’s such a special time of the year”

Trish Banks, Home Manager at Mill View, said: “Christmas is such a special time of year, and this event allowed us to honour those memories from residents’ childhoods of singing carols.

“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 The Meads 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  

Mill View has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care, as well as short-term respite. The home features state-of-the-art facilities including a cinema, café and activity space.