Nursery children join Basingstoke care home for journey into Christmas past

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

Care UK’s Dashwood Manor, on Bradley Way, joined forces with their young neighbours from Kids Inc Nursery and Dandelions Community Preschool to revisit customs from Christmases past, this year with a very special extra guest!

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 the younger generation. 

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

Children from Kids Inc Nursery joined the residents for a special Elf Breakfast with the visitors, where residents were employed as Santa’s Helpers and shared traditional Christmas refreshments with the younger generation to get into the festive spirit.

It was an extra-special day at Dandelions Community Preschool when Father Christmas himself paid a visit, bringing joy and a gift for every child. The room was filled with excitement as the children gathered to share in the festive magic!

Resident Bob, 85, said: "I’d been looking forward to this day all year! It felt like such an important occasion, and what I loved most was seeing the smiles and hearing the laughter. It reminded me of the Christmases I remember from years ago, when simple traditions like sharing stories, spreading kindness, and believing in a little magic meant everything. Keeping those traditions alive matters because they bring people together and keep the spirit of Christmas shining bright."

The children from Dandelions then visited Dashwood Manor to perform a carol concert for the residents, singing a mixture of classic and newer Christmas songs that had everyone at the home smiling and singing along.

Frankie Veramu, Home Manager at Dashwood Manor, said: “Christmas is such a special time of year, and this event allowed us to honour those memories from residents’ childhoods of singing carols 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 Kids Inc Nursery and Dandelions Community Preschool for joining us and making the run up to Christmas 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.

Dashwood Manor is designed to enable residents to lead active and fulfilled lives while also promoting independence. The care home incorporates plenty of space for hobby and leisure activities, with luxury facilities including a hair and beauty salon, cinema, bar and gardens.