Shinfield care home turns new page with special poetry session

Generations have connected through spoken word as part of an event at a care home in Shinfield.

Val Heaton, aged 84 and a resident at Care UK’s Parsons Grange on Westall Street, hosted her own poetry slam for the 1^st Shinfield (St Mary’s) Scouts and her fellow residents. 

Val picked her best poems for a reading session at the care home, including her personal favourite ‘The Diner's Dilemma’, a fun poem about a smartly dressed man with egg in his beard, which had everyone lost in the lines. 

Val said: “It was such a pleasure to read my work to the Scouts, they enjoyed the show very much, and I thoroughly enjoyed talking to them about how I find my inspiration for my poetry!

Afterwards, the residents and Scouts joined together to play a range of verse-atile games – so everyone could take part – such as Scrabble, Name That Tune and a poetry workshop.

Some of the Scouts also showed off their piano skills during a quick musical interlude. 

Rozina Ali, Home Manager at Parsons Grange, said: “We loved having the children from the 1^st Shinfield (St Mary’s) Scouts in our home for the intergenerational poetry session. Val’s love of poetry knows no bounds, so it meant a lot to her to be able to share this with the children. 

“Intergenerational relationships have proven to be highly beneficial for all involved, as they offer residents a form of companionship and a stronger sense of purpose. It’s also given Val a great opportunity to share her passion for poetry with the younger generation and encourage the children to give it a go too!

“We are excited to carry on our relationship with 1^st Shinfield (St Mary’s) Scouts, and we cannot wait to see them again soon!” 

Parsons Grange provides full-time residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to lead active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, the care home has plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies, as well as its own café, hair and beauty salon and cinema.