Sidcup care home welcomes local community for festive fun with a nostalgic twist

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

Care UK’s Smyth Lodge, on Frognal Avenue, joined forces with visitors of all ages 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, residents at Smyth Lodge opened their doors to the local community for two traditional Christmas crafting sessions, where attendees created their own Christmas wreaths, ornaments and decorations. The sessions, led by the home’s team members Rebecca and Christine, welcomed guests of all ages from all over Sidcup, and the creations have got everyone at the home feeling the festive spirit!

Resident Pam, 72, said of the workshops: “I had a lovely day creating traditional Christmas wreaths! It was wonderful to be creative, and craft in a way I used to do as a young girl. I even made a wreath for my daughter Amy, which she was delighted with, as well as one for my own door.” 

Tracey Cheeseman, Home Manager at Smyth Lodge, said: “Christmas is such a special time of year, and this event allowed us to honour those memories from residents’ childhoods of decorating their own homes and making Christmas wreaths 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 our local community members for joining us and making the festive activities 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.

Smyth Lodge has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and enable residents to lead active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full-time residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite care, and offers luxury facilities including its very own cinema, hair and beauty salon, gym and pub.