Glebe House bringing children and elderly people together

Nursery children are bringing smiles and cheer to care home residents living with dementia.

Three and four-year-olds from Sandling’s Playgroup in Woodbridge are regular visitors to Glebe House Residential Care Home. The pre-school children join the residents to take part in simple activities such as gardening, colouring, singing, and dancing.

Glebe House, located on Rectory Road in Hollesley, is a 20-bed care home that offers residential, respite and specialist dementia care.

The children with their smiles and laughter remind residents of their own childhoods and happy times spent with their children and grandchildren.

Resident Jackie Woods, aged 81, said: “It brings a smile to my face to spend time with the little ones, they are so full of energy, and their visits make me so happy.”

For one resident, the visits bring back strong memories of her own childhood. “It’s a joy seeing the children play, I just love them,” said Ingrid Stoddard, aged 87.

“Spending time with the little ones brings me right back to when I was a girl, playing with my friends and climbing trees.”

Grandmother Mary Orton, aged 89, said: “It reminds me of when my grandchildren were little. Its lovely to have the children come into our home, it makes my day seeing how much fun they are having.”

Many of the residents have formed bonds with the children since the project started in July All of the residents who take part in the project are living with dementia.

Dawn Barnes, manager at Glebe House, believes that the positive impact gained from the intergenerational interaction is “equally invaluable” for both the children and residents.

“Residents love taking part, there’s always a buzz in the home when the children visit,” said Dawn.

“Everyone lights up and are more engaged. We see a significant boost in our residents’ mood following the visits, with residents saying they feel happier and more energised.

“For our residents living with dementia, sparking memories of their childhood or their time as a parent can be an important link to their past, evoking emotions and moments that may otherwise seem lost.

“The visits are usually once a fortnight and we hope they will continue to be a big part of life at Glebe House.”

Located in the village of Hollesley near to Woodbridge, the team at Glebe House support each resident to live active and fulfilling lives.

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