Teddy bear picnic delights Norwich care home residents and local pupils

Residents at a Norwich care home enjoyed a bear-y special afternoon with local pupils.

Residents at Care UK’s Ivy Court, on Ivy Road, welcomed pupils from Henderson Green Primary School for a fun-filled teddy bear picnic. 

On the day, children brought their favourite plushies and joined residents in a series of mini-games and activities, before enjoying a host of tasty picnic treats.  The visit prompted many residents to reminisce about their own childhoods spent playing with beloved toys, including resident Maureen Smith, who brought along a treasured, 76-years-old teddy bear. 

Maureen, a resident at Ivy Court, commented: “It was a lovely picnic, and the children were wonderful. I brought along my 76-year-old teddy bear, which I still remember receiving. He came with a beautiful blue satin bow. I told the children he isn’t too fond of schools - he came to school with me and was once singed after sitting too close to a fire!”

Ovidiu Andreescu, Home Manager at Ivy Court, said: “We’ve had a great time hosting our teddy bear picnic; it was lovely to see the different generations chatting, laughing and sharing memories with each other. 

"Intergenerational activities like this can have a hugely positive impact on wellbeing, helping residents stay socially connected while creating new experiences.

“Maureen’s 76-year-old teddy was the real star of the show and sparked some fantastic conversations. We’d like to thank everyone at Henderson Green Primary School for coming by and helping make this day so memorable.”

Ivy Court is a state-of-the-art care home, designed to deliver the very best standard of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home offers a range of services, including residential, dementia and short-term respite care.