School joins Edgbaston care home for a journey into Christmas past

Old festive traditions came to life at a care home in Edgbaston, where residents welcomed a local school for a day of seasonal activities. 

Care UK’s Edgbaston Manor on Speedwell Road, joined forces with young visitors from Harper Bell Seventh Day Adventist School to revisit customs from Christmas 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 pupils and residents came together to sing traditional carols. Residents were transported back in time as they shared memories and sang cherished songs from their own childhood.

Betty Rorke, resident at Edgbaston Manor, said: “I enjoyed seeing the children sing. They looked like they were having such a good time, and they were delightful children. Celebrating Christmas is important to me because it’s something we’ve always done. One tradition I remember was going to midnight mass once I was old enough.”

Zoe Steventon, Home Manager at Edgbaston Manor, said: “Hearing residents and the children sing together filled the home with such joy. For many residents here, these carols are cherished songs from their own childhood and sharing them with the younger generation was a beautiful way to keep tradition alive. 

“The activity really brought out the true spirit of the season, and we are so grateful to Harper Bell Seventh Day Adventist School for joining us in bringing the festivities to Edgbaston.”

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

Edgbaston Manor has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and enable residents to live active and fulfilling lives, while also promoting independence. The home provides full-time residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite care, and has been configured into a series of neighbourhoods to facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents. There is also plenty of space – both indoors and out – for relaxation and recreation.